Classics

Hi all! So here is yet another question about the bike I just aquired. I'm noticing some fuel leaking around the rubber parts around the carbs. I think these may be referred to as the carb intake boots. Is this a serious issue? The clamps that are closer to the engine seem tight. It's the parts that are closer to the rear of the bike that seem to be leaking a bit. Any suggestions?

I have a 81' xs 400 and when I let off the throttle at high speeds it tends to let out a single and very loud backfire. This is the only time it really backfires. Is this normal or is there anything that I can do to stop this? Also another question to all those that own similar bikes, this is about gas millage. I get about about 100 miles out of the main tank (not including the reserve), does this seem like what the norm should be for this bike? I seems low for a motorcycle but this is my first motorcycle, so it could just be me being naive about motorcycles. thanks

So I've heard a knocking noise coming from the rear on decel sometimes and the last few rides it's gotten worse. I looked back and saw my rear sprocket wobbling about!! I got to my garage asap and took a close look at it and it seems like the rear sprocket is held in place with bolts mounted into threaded sleeves.. But the sleeves are mounted in the wheel with rubber?? This was just a quick glance, I haven't pulled the wheel yet. What am I to do about this?! I didn't see anything in the service manual about it.

I just ordered a pair of coils, wires, and NGK plug caps from Mike's XS in FL. Great, but there's a twist - the wires don't have the caps attached to them, they all come separate and I'm supposed to put it all together myself. Well, I ain't never done such a job before, so can someone please enlighten me - how do I attach all those pieces together? Thanks!

well i have finally finished this mot,d and running great another RD lives again after 22 years in a garage in cornwall all 90 odd pics from resto here RD 250 restoration

Hello all. I have recently restored my third bike, a 1981 Yamaha xs400, and I just got it started up today for the first time. Currently, the bike starts right up with the push of the ignition switch, but does not idle on it's own. Also, when holding the throttle at one point, the bike can sometimes rev up higher and higher on it's own. I just cleaned all the jets in the carbs, floats and everything else EXCEPT the venturi slide as the screws were in rough shape. The venturi seem good though because the carb was already pretty clean when i got it and they slide pretty smooth. Any specific methods to remedy this? I know I probably need to adjust the idle screw bu…

Anybody know of a recurring oil leaking issue with and 81 ( or comparable) xs400? the bike has been sitting for 15-20 years inside, stored free of gas and after running it for a day it leaks oil considerably. Do you think it just needs time for the seals to become moist again and expand?

Anyone have any clue on where I would find the cap on this bike for the front forks, I am trying to change the fork oil in the bike, I know where and how to drain, but this bike has a rubber cap on the top end of the fork, and nothing below that. The rubber cap is just a plug not a screw, and below those is just indented metal, no screw, no bolt... nothing. So where/how do you put fork oil back in the bike? Thanks for the help ceije

Anyone have any tips on removing the carbs from this bike? Even with the airbox unbolted (how do you remove that too?) and moved back about 1/2" I still have a heck of a time trying to wiggle the carbs out. I already tore one rubber boot on the airbox side. The 4 carbs from my 1982 KZ750 was a breeze to remove compared to this bike. The PDF manual someone posted here really doesn't give a detailed job.

Well, I finally picked up the bike today, and come to find out, my free score was much better than anticipated. The bike is in fantastic condition, and I had it running in about 30 minutes, just had to lube up the cylinders to be safe, drain what little gas was left in it after 20 years of sitting, as most had evaporated, and presto, hit the starter and it fired right up. Now don't get me wrong, still has its problems after sitting for 20 years: 1. Only one side is firing. 2. Will run, but does not like to with out the choke. 3. All in all, the carb is coming off tomorrow and will be in for a good cleaning. I will get some pics taken today and post them, before I …

My 1980 yamaha xs400 special will start up and run for 1-3mins and then die. usually if I try to start it right away it either wont or it takes alot of effort but if I let it sit a few mins it will start again and run for a short while and die again...when it dies it just idles down, kind of putts, and then dies...also its smoking a bit...white smoke so burning oil? I was thinking maybe its the CDI unit or the coils? what about possibly moisture in the tank or carb adjustment? This is my first bike to play with but ive been an automotive tech for 2 years...thanks for any and all help

Hello every one, I just got a hold of a 1986 FZ600 for free. I have to acquire a lost title but it is in the works already. The bike is in decent shape but does need a few things. I have been able to find most of everything except for a gas tank and cover? If you guys could point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

The Story: Got the bike for a steal at the cost of FREE. The bike has not run since 1987, so has sat for 21 years, but has been in a climate controlled basement and as a result there is no rust anywhere on the bike. It only has 6900 miles on it, and yes that is accurate. I want to know from those of you who have started from something like this, whether I should just plan on replacing everything that is rubber on the bike now, or would anything be able to be saved after 20+ years? Already planned upfront on replacing the fuel line and adding an inline filter, and obviously the carb is the first thing to come off but from there.... Any help would be greatly appreciat…

I just got a 1981 Special II 400cc the wiring came in a mess, from what i heard it runs but the wiring is basically ripped out of it. I was just wondering if anyone knew if its possible to and or how to hook up the wiring straight off the engine to get it to fire up and run to see if its decent before more work or had a wiring diagram available for it so i could attempt to rewire the system to get it to run any information is helpful and thanks Don

Here is my mess of a bike. It is my first bike. I bought it about four months ago for about $300, blindly on ebay. Picked it up, it had been rattle canned white, the badges were off a bigger bike and had been sprayed an effeminate shade of metallic blue and glued to the sides of the tank and airbox covers (how many yammy logos do you need on one bike?). The tires were flat, everything had a nice layer of corrosion. It barely ran, the starter was toast. It had been dropped at least twice. I managed to get it started the day I picked it up, rode it a block down the road to where my trailer was at and drove it two hours home. I chopped the frame right after the rear…

Hi everyone, I bought an old Maxim that runs great. Just needed some TLC and cosmetic work. It's my first bike and has been quite a learning experience. My question is this...when I take the oil cap off shouldn't the dipstick be attached to the cap? There's nothing there so I'm a bit perplexed about how to check the oil. I don't have a manual. So I don't know quite how to change the oil either. I just want to make sure the oil doesn't get to low. Thanks in advance!

Bike started chucking out smoke on tickover . quite a bit really. and only on one pot. Plug looks good though and colour indicates good running engine, so whats the problem. Anyone know. Is it the rings on the piston. valve oil stem seal... ive got a spare cylinder head in case its the seals. But will have to order some rings if this is the problem... Any help be good... cheers...

Hi all I got hold of a Yamaha twin 400 cc motor , downloaded the manual but some things dont want to add up , the id # starts with a 4T4 . There's a little pin above the drive sprocket , what's it for ?

Hi there, I just bought a 78 YZ250 and am looking for other 78 YZ250 owners. I am having some carb probs, for a sec i had her ripping. I just had the carb cleaned and have not teated it yet. Anybody know how to tune a carb? Any advice? Also will a inline fuel filter cause a prob? peace to all yamies

I just acquired an 83 xs400. I haven't started it yet. I seem to have no spark. A tree limb fell on the bike, so the guages have been busted and ignition switch is toast, so I connected the two wires on the ignition to crank it over. It has blown a couple fuses, and the fuse box gets real hot. I have looked for any shorts in the wiring, but I havent found any. Am I gonna break anything by hotwiring the bike? Before I start replacing every part, where should I start looking for the problem? I plan on finding a CDI, regulator, possibly a different wiring assembly with fuse box because the fuse holders are brittle and breaking very easily. Also what is it? Is it a …