Classics

Hello, I have a 1974 Yamaha DT125E and havening issues. I have it so it kicks over and idles ok, runs until you get to 20-25 mph and it bogs out. Every time I open it up it runs boggy. I have cleaned out the carburettor and checked the fuel runs freely, I have fited a 150 main jet as that was recommended by Yamaha for the bike (although I have tried a 250, 190 and 115) none of which make a difference? I have fitted a standard air filter also as suggested by Yamaha to insure the correct amount of air is getting through. Now I am stuck, any help or ideas would be very very appreciated.

Where can I find new(er) parts for a 1970 Enduro? I don't know the exact model code and so on but I do have a pic if that helps. Any information will help. Thanks.

Just thought I'd post it in the classics because it's old! Was given this for free by friends as a non-runner. Decoked the head, changed the chain and fluids, added some not so necessary bits to tidy it up and it passed it's MOT first time! First bike project with my dad and it's been great fun, I feel I've learned a lot (except that you need to check the fuel regularly on it!) Whaddya think guys?

Pictures will come soon... I'm mostly putting this here to ask what there is to know about this bike. I have found nearly nothing on the internet about it. It's in nearly perfect condition, 10k miles, new battery, Katana tires. Paid 500 dollars, also came with jacket and helmet (Craigslist is amazing). Also came with title. Any maintenance worries, tricks, noteworthy history? Thanks

I pulled the right side shock off tonight because it was the only one i could take off without removing anything else, and measured it out so that i could start looking at new shocks. how can i tell if these are worn? I was almost completely unable to compress it when i had it off the bike, at least not by just pressing down on it, though both do compress when i sit on the bike. They are adjustable shocks, with 4 positions. They are currently set at the 3rd of 4 settings, towards the stiff side. I looked at mikesxs.com to see if i could find shocks, and i like some of the ones that they have. basically, i need to know how i can tell if they are worn, and how …

I just recently purchased a 1980 Yamaha XS 400 SG. I was just wondering what oil is best for this bike? The manual I have recommends 20w/50. I know there is special motorcycle engine oil anyone better than the other? Synthetic or conventional? I need new tires as these are pretty dry rotten. IRC RC RS310 90/90B-18 BLK FRONT, IRC RS310 120/90B-16 BLK REAR, Are these pretty good tires for just everyday riding? If anyone has any useful information about tuning this bike or anything I should check out I would greatly appreciate it. I'm new to motorcycle maintance so anything helpful would be great. Thank you in advance! [email protected]

I've got a pair of RD50 forks that find nicely on a 'bitsa' bike I am putting together as a run round. I'd like to put a spoked front wheel on but the RD50 ones seem a bit scarce. What other hubs and axles would fit these forks? Any ideas? Thanks.

Hi guy's and Gals, I have a great looking XT500, which from what I can make out has a 1980 engine, tank and seat, but has a frame circa 1976. When I bought the bike it had a Q plate, and I was told that this was because the frame number was unreadable and therefore the DVLA could not varify the date of manufacture. Is there any way of getting it off the Q plate, as I would like to get an age related plate. I would appreciate any information on how to go about this. Thanks

My wife's '81 XS400 has a float in the carb that is "stuck like chuck." While I can imagine the general process of breaking it down and cleaning, I do not know enough to really do it all the way, and do it properly. I will probably take it in and eat the cost of not doing it myself. My post is more actually about getting a copy of an owners manual, hopefully I can learn how to keep the fuel from the carbs and avoid this problem in the future. I was thinking... Maybe someone who has a copy of the owners manual for this bike could copy it and create a pdf or something. I can do the same and we could trade... I have an '84 Honda V30 Magna. I would also be willing to pay thru…

Hello all- I recently purchased a 77 xs400 and the bike is in pretty good shape - only about 5,500 miles. Since getting the bike I have replaced both air filters, both spark plugs, flushed front and rear brake fluid, and taken apart the carbs and cleaned them. For the carbs it was the first time I have attempted anything like this so I took it pretty easy and didn't take absolutely everything apart. I originally decided to take the carbs apart because I was noticing that one (right side when sitting on the bike) cylinder was running too rich. I was hoping that taking the carbs apart and checking/fixing any obvious problems would do the trick. But no such luck. Same…

Thought I'd start a Random Piccie thread dedicated to AirCooled RD's.....since myself & Alan are avid fans......as well as some of the other members here, I'm sure So I invite anyone to post any pic they might happen to have or have ran across whilst surfing the Net.... Of RD's.....any year......any size........Just gotta be an AirCooled Here's a couple to kick things off...... A very clean 250D or E? This here's a 400 that used to belong to RDly......Sweet Ride indeed.....even if it IS YELLOW! So, don't be shy!.....post some AC RD's!!!

I was told the bike was a 79 so I was looking at those wireing diagrams, Haynes, and most of the wires didn't match so I checked the 78, since a 79 xs400 doesn't exist on some part site, almost everything matched the '78 diagram. Low and behold everything matched until I got to the ignition switch 78 4 wires 79 3 wires I got three on both sides of the junction plug not spliced or anything. My question all my lights work; turn signal front and back, brake light running and front and back brake switchs 12volts. Head light ~.5 volts and gauge lights ~.5 volts. How does the bike run and all the electrics work with full power and the head light and gauge lights only get .5 …

i went out and did what minor tune-ups i figured i could try with my limited workspace and tools, which basically means adjusting drive chain tension (it was at about 2" of deflection, the book says .7" or 20mm)... i had to adjust the play in the rear break, but ive noticed that the bike seems much more responsive and a lot less jerky.... it also seems to be running at slightly lower rpm for speed (about 300rpm, not a big difference really). this worried me at first though, because it seems like that would mean that the chain was too tight, but manufacturer's specs say just over .7" of deflection..... the surprise wasnt a very good one.... i pulled off the top to the …

I'm currently restoring an 82 X reg XT250 and the headlight unit retaining chrome rim is badly damaged and i can't track one down so I'm wondering if they're interchangeable with any other models from that era.??? CHeers Stuart

I just found a photo of my old RD400E and a rush of happy memories came flooding back to me. I had bought it second hand and it did not have a decent bearing in the whole chassis but the engine was a peach and had been "Becket Tuned" and would lift the front wheel with a glance at the throttle. Bob

Hello again, as i mentioned in a previous post, my gas tank has some rust scale in it, and i am going to need to clean/treat/seal it. have any of you done this yourselves with some of the chemical treatments out there? would it be more worth it to have someone else do it (i was quoted 87.50 to clean and seal). also, im having a hard time finding replacement petcock gaskets for where it connects to the tank. is there a liquid gasket material that i could use for this? *edit* i didnt bother to check the yamaha site because i assumed it had been discontinued like everything else for this bike, but they carry the gaskets. what i need now is the outer gas tank gaske…

I've got this '78 xs 400. I have logged near 800 miles since I purchased it a couple weeks ago with no issues. It was running wonderful last night, but then today after startup, it began acting up. I started it with the choke open cause it was around 60 degrees farenheit, but after warming up and closing the choke it was idling rough. It would sputter and slowly die off unless the I gave it some throttle. It would backfire slightly (quietly) and as I continued to ride the problem worsened. I'm in the process of learning how to maintain this bike so any more info would help. A neighbor said that draining the float bowls is a good place to start. When cruisi…

I have a 77 XS400 that I plan to rebuild/restore this coming spring. Currently, I am researching the parts list and one thing I can't find anywhere si the decals. I plan to repain all of the parts and such (gonna learn how to do this myself), and want to get the original decals to go under the clearcoat. I have searched on many of the sites mentioned in other threads, but to no avail. My fear is that I will have to take pictures and pay some oen to lay it out custom. My other thought is to get good images of it and have the decals custom made. Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I recently purchased a '78 400 2e with only 8200 miles on it. This is my first bike and I would like to learn to perform maintenance on it myself. I am mechanically inclined and have a history as a bicycle mechanic, so things like swingarms/suspension/chains etc. come easily to me. When it comes to clutches and engines, anything other that simple repairs require SOLID photographs and concisely explained directions. The bike came with the original xs360/400 manual, but its zeroxed photos and badly edited content leave me a little confused. I've found both Clymer and Haynes manuals, but wondered if either one has a better reputation. Both are online, leaving me unable …

hey guys, im new to motorcycles, and am trying to teach myself about the engine, and engines in general. heres the deal. i own a 75 xs500b. it has been running fine, but yesterday i noticed a slight backfire when i rolled off the throttle. today, it was even worse, to the point where the engine actually died when i got to work. coming home from work, i was just wondering if i was going to make it. when i roll on the throttle the engine bogs down and tries to die (or just dies). when i pull in the clutch and roll off the throttle, all of a sudden the rpm's dont drop for quite a while (5 seconds or more) and then once it does die off, it just dies. doesnt want …