What did you do with your XS today?

226dark said:
Go figure that - my cell phone converter says 39 F is 3.9 Celsius. Perfect for riding :laugh: At least don't have to worry about running too hot :wink2: (and it has 10w40 in it now)
Click to expand...
Last year I could only force myself out if it was 5 (41) or above. I just checked the thermometer. Guess what? It's 3.9 (39) out there. I guess we should start considering 5w20. Thanks for the cold front by the way. :wink2:

I may actually try itshortly since, starting this afternoon, we're having 7 days of rain and a "Frankenstorm" for Hallowe'en . . ooooo . . :yikes:
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/27/frankenstorm-has-canada-in-its-sights
​
 
Made a chain oiler that is a copy of http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/

I made it from some a small bottle, a length of vinyl tubing, a T-fitting, some wire (to stiffen the applicator tubes, heat-shrink tubing (to attach wire to applicator tubes), and a bunch of nylon wire ties. Two of the excess ends of the wire ties were inserted into the applicator tubes and run against the sides of the rear sprocket to direct the oil onto the sides of the rear sprocket where it is flung onto the chain. Or so the theory goes. Seems to work well in the shop. Tomorrow's ride will tell the true story...

Now I can lube my chain in 5 seconds any time I want or need to. :thumbsup:

Dave
 
New to the forum! Bought a '79 xs400 this past Saturday. Was able to ride it to the DMV today and get an antique plate and register it :D First time I gave it a real ride. Def lagging in the power dept. compared to what I am used to, but great fun.

Had some trouble getting it started with the kick start, but the electric got it going. The button fell off the starter switch too. Pretty annoying. I also took off the front wind screen that came with it.

I'd like to get it running tip-top before I start stripping it and upgrading.

Lots more to come!
20121106_112305.jpg


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Thanks Ironhead. Glad to be here. I'm planning on putting from tracker bars on it. Those stockers gotta go.

Also need to get the idle and carbs running right. It runs okay but it feels like it want to die at idle. Also, I feel like it has a hard time getting over 70mph... I thought the 6th gear would've helped there, but i cant even tell if I am reaching into 6th gear sometimes.

Any advice?
 
two pieces of advice: search this site for carb tuning / balancing / rebuilding. i wouldn't be surprised if there were more posts here related to carbs than anything else. if you don't find the info you need, please start a new thread.
 
successfully drilled out the broken mixture screw tip without enlarging the existing hole! realized my dad used to be a jeweler and checked the old boxes in the garage for his old flex rotary tool and found it along with all the tiny drill bits. just saved myself from having to buy new carb bodies. Now pray that nothing else goes wrong with my carbs lol
 
Installed an HID conversion into my H4 headlight. I bought a (more expensive) motorcycle specific kit off of eBay that is 35 Watts, A/C ballast, with a 6000K temperature lamp. It draws less power and is white, without being blue. It is a high and low beam kit, done by moving the lamp.

It was a challenge finding spaces to mount the 3 boxes while allowing the wiring to have enough length to move with the steering. :confused: I used cable ties to secure everything as I'm not certain I'm going to keep the boxes and wiring where they currently are. Certainly looks "ghetto", but is functional and good enough for the rest of the season.

Initial impression is that it is much brighter, but doesn't have as sharp a beam pattern as a standard H4 bulb. :shrug:

Next on the list is LED turn signals, wired to be on all the time as marker lights and flashing off when indicating. But that will probably be a winter project...

Dave
 
Added bar end mirrors, new grips, and ordered a few more parts from ebay.

We have a motorcycle wrecker specialising in pre 1990 bikes so taking a ride tomorrow hoping he might have some footpegs to suit. Mikesxs want $33 just for postage :(
 
Thanks!

I just received my new flat tracker bar and fuel line/filter. Will be bolting those on this weekend!

Also installed a replacement starter button. I got the solid ally one from KimbokoJoe. It's a great piece! Pics soon
 
Vroom4 said:
Thanks Ironhead. Glad to be here. I'm planning on putting from tracker bars on it. Those stockers gotta go.

Also need to get the idle and carbs running right. It runs okay but it feels like it want to die at idle. Also, I feel like it has a hard time getting over 70mph... I thought the 6th gear would've helped there, but i cant even tell if I am reaching into 6th gear sometimes.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

On your low idle problem there 2 places you can adjust screws to help that.Underneigth your carbs is a big scre you can turn to raise or lower the idle.
Also on top right through the middle of your frame on top of the carb is smaller screw you can adjust.You turn it clockwise to increase idle.My bike idles perfectly at 1500rpm.Not sure if thats the proper speed but I feel comfortable with it.
 
1982400xs said:
On your low idle problem there 2 places you can adjust screws to help that.Underneigth your carbs is a big scre you can turn to raise or lower the idle.
Also on top right through the middle of your frame on top of the carb is smaller screw you can adjust.You turn it clockwise to increase idle.My bike idles perfectly at 1500rpm.Not sure if thats the proper speed but I feel comfortable with it.
Click to expand...

I turned it on yesterday after installing the new starter button :)thumbsup:) and it turned on okay with the choke after just two tries. I let it warm up and the revs dropped, so I went to the middle position on the choke. Gave that some time, but noticed little change in the revs, and went to off on the choke. When I did that the revs were really low and it was well below 1k rpms. I gave it a little gas and it would rev, but then sputtered and died. Also had a serious flat spot when I gave it gas hard and died right away. My guess is it created a lack of vaccum? Fired it up again and this time I tried adjusting the throttle stop screw(I think that's the name, the one between the carbs with the knobbys on it). I wasn't sure which way was out so it was a bit of trial and error. Results were minimal, but I also was overly cautious:doh:

After doing a little research today, I should be also adjusting the pilot screw on top out a little to make it more rich right?

Keeping all this in mind, I also am waiting to get better acquainted with the bike before pulling the trigger on some pods and new jets. At that point I'll also be cleaning the carbs. Still a bit of a noob, so I'll tinker with the stocks for now.:D
 

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