Classics

Hi, I just picked up a 1980 XS400 special that was sitting under a tree for about 2 years. Prior owner said it was running when he parked it, but poorly due to carbs. This is my first attempt at a restoration. I don't mind getting my hands dirty, and for $200 bucks, I thought how bad can it be?? Before I spent too much time and money, I wanted to make sure the motor would run. I drained and cleaned the tank and pulled the carbs. Well, carbs were pretty nasty. Took a really good chemical soak, but they look a lot better now. I have new plugs installed and the old ones were carboned up some, but not rusty. Shined a light inside and didn't see any rust and va…

Hello I am a new member and a new rider. I have the opportunity to buy an 81 Maxim xj650 for my first bike. The bike has been customized to resemable a sportster. For the $1200 asking price, the owner is honest that the fork seals leak, and "believes" that the valves need adjustment due to a slight tapping in the top of the motor. The motor starts right up every time, but stalls at idle. The choke and idle screw have to be played with to keep motor running. Under medium to heavy throttle the motor sounds strong and tight, however as I said I am a new rider, so what do I know. The bike was stored in a garage over this past winter, and does not leak oil. The owner pu…

My '74 DT125 stalls out whenever I let off the throttle. Coming to stop signs and stop lights, it shuts down when I'm rolling up. I'm trying hard to gear down and stay on the throttle--and that works 25% of the time--but that is not how I'm looking to ride. I'm guessing this is a carburetor problem (or maybe dirty air filter?), but are there some better suggestions out there? Thanks.

I really feel dumb asking this question but can someone tell me or better yet show me a pic of the oil drain plug on a XJ750 seca and oil filter, I just purchased this bike and would like to change all fluids. Thanks All

Maybe I am being a woman here but I have become stuck with the re-build of our 1981 SR250 SE. Hubby and I have got to the point of re-connecting the electrics and after purchasing a new ignition for it (the old one could be truned with any key and looked older than the bike) we connected the battery and turned the key. The green neutral light came on but nothing else works. We have tried charging the battery as it's been standing a while and also connecting the battery charger direct to the wires but still nothing but the green neural light. When the ignition is in Park the green light comes on both front parking light and rear light come on but very weak. Have spen…

I'd like to first say that I'm new here and this looks like such a great place - i have been reading through the XS400 info on here and there are so many good ideas and answers.. I'm sure I'll be asking you guys a ton of questions in the next week or so... So thanks in advance! Ok- so I have an 81 XS400 I'm fixing up. I got the thing dirt cheap and it seems to be pretty complete and fairly clean. It turns over, and I have had it run for a few seconds before it killed out (no carb adjust, little gas) - I got some weak spark for a while, but it went away... Thanks to the info on here and a little pulling shit apart, I've come down to one problem being both the start…

I've just picked up a 1980 XS400S that I got in trade for a pistol. After a quick tune up, oil change and carb jet de-gunking this thing runs great! When I first got it it was wearing sun-faded red paint: After a thorough cleaning and quick paint job, here's how it came out: What do you all think? Now all I have to do is replace the torn seat.

I suppose i should have made this post first. I'm Chris, a graduating Senior from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. I recently purchased a 1976 Yamaha XS500 from my friend, and we've been working out the little problems its been having. Finally got it running well tonight and got to take a ride. I'm very impressed. This is my first bike, and i'm hooked. The bike needs a few things, most majorly is a tear down and respray of the frame, though its really not that bad. Also needs a new chain and other little parts. Once that is done i'll do little touches to make it my own. some crappy cell phone shots from the shop tonight.

Hi I'm in the middle of converting my'77 XS 750 from points to cdi but I need a diagram of the actual wire possitions on the ignitor box as I don't have a doner bike with the right harness. If anyone has a pic of one on a bike with wich cylinder goes where that would be great! Thanks Paully K.

Hi, new here, hoping i can get some help. I recently bought a 1976 XS500 off a friend (he bought a '97 yzf600 and needed to sell this one). We're having a lot of trouble getting it to start. I've never been able to get it to start on the electric start, but it did kick over when i got it. Now it won't start with kick or electric start. It will roll start, and when its running it runs like a champ, and pulls well. I did disassemble and completely clean the carbs since they needed it badly, and have since put the correct jets back in it (main and pilot jets were changed over the winter during a rebuild, and correct sizes couldn't be found at the time). I've had them…

hello, i recently had a 1979 xs400 that fell into my hands from my grandad, i have cleaned the carbs and the starter is in great shape , i am not getting any fire to the plugs though, but i put the test light to the coils wires and when i turn it over the light dims like its supost to, but still no spark from the wires, is there a way i can just get the wires and replace them from inside the coils or would i have to replace the whole coils. also what is a good way to get rust out of a gas tank?? any suggestions would be great

Hi everyone,i have a 1998 xj900s diversion and im very desperate to find a rear wheel due to mine cracking whilst removing a broken disc stud! I have the disc so just the wheel would do. Thanks folks [email protected] or 01631 760032.

Just picked up my first bike, a '74 DT125. Runs strong, looks great. Blah, blah... I'm trying to register it as street legal here in California and have a few questions: 1) Do I need front AND rear blinkers (indicators)? (It has neither.) 2) It looks like the previous owner changed the handlebars so there's no spot for front blinkers...any suggestions as to how to fasten them on? 3) Is buying parts, say, oh-I-don't-know, blinkers, from one of those online "stores" in Thailand safe? 4) Okay, last one. My tail light works, but the second filament doesn't light up when I hit either brake. I changed the bulb to no avail. Any suggestions as to where to start …

Hey I just bought a 79 xs 400, the person I bought it from said it needed the carbs clean so I did that. When I tried to start it the fuses got really hot and then burned out. I figured that they might be bad so I replaced them tried to start it again and then they start to smoke and burned out. Does anyone know what might be the problem? A friend told me to pull the harness and check for corrosion. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated Thanks

OK, this is probably a dumb question. I have a 1980 XS400 Special. I'm trying to get in to where the points are. The cover has one Phillips head screw holding it tight at the front. I can get that out, but at the rear there doesn't appear to be another screw. I have no idea what's securing the rear end of the cover. Who can tell me how to get the &%$! cover off? Ok looking I found this diagram: It shows some kind of plug over the second screw. (#22) How do you get the plug out?

I am interested in changing the front disc brake to a front Drum Brake hub. My problem is the tab that is on the suspension fork lower is not present on my disc specific suspension. Can I simply have the tab welded on or does the fork legs from a 360 slide/fit on to the stansions of a 400? If so does anyone know where I can source 360 forks? Thanks scd

Hi folks, does anyone know if the front (offside)caliper from a 79 xs650 can be interchanged with any other yammy model?? Failing that, does anyone have a spare one they can sell me, or even just the pad securing bolt? It's a looooong story!! cheers, Pete.

Hi, This is my first post so nice to meet you all. I need some help with a DT175mx (I think. 1981 and the frame starts with2k4). The bike has no battery and someone has wired it so it runs with a total loss system. I have seen some online wiring diagrams however my bike seems to have more wires than the diagrams. The wires from the crank look like this The coil looks like this and the CDI (I dont know if this is right). looks like this I would assume that the green wire from the crank goes to the coil but what about earths etc??? Thanks.

Hi guys/gals. I've done some searching both here and elsewhere online but have yet to find a definitive answer to my problem. I've recently purchased a 1977 XS 400D (Was sold as a '79 but did a little research on the VIN) and am cleaning it up and trying to restore it on a bit of a shoestring budget. I've mostly gone though every major part, disassembled it, cleaned it up, lubed it, etc. etc. MAN OH MAN are there a lot of parts. Anyways.... Recently have started in on the engine. Figured my first order of buisness before tearing it apart was to run a compression test. This is where things have been a bit screwy. The bike is torn apart so I have no way of cranking the e…

Does the 400 use the same gas cap as the 650? Found a nice gas cap off of a 78 650 on E-pay and it looks identical to mine.