Classics

Hi all! I've been working on a '83 xs400. It seems to be mechanically sound now so I'm starting work on the cosmetic issues. The person who had it before me turned it into a major Franken-bike (I was appalled). I got most of the stock parts back on but the engine cases are really dull. The exhaust pipes also have a lot of rust so I'll probably just have to replace them at some point. Does anyone have experience with cleaning/polishing these old dull covers??

I need help locating a headlight bulb or something comparable. Thanks.

So yet more misadventures regarding my old faithful! I was out cruising around today and noticed that one of my fork seals is leaking. I'm a female but not totally helpless (i.e I can change the oil and perform most maintenance on my Blazer), but I have no idea how fork seals work on a bike and how to replace them. Is this an easy thing? Or shall I call my mechanic? The mechanic who did some work on this bike before was cool, but I can tell he doesn't think the bike is worth any effort. Help!!!

hi I am bhaskar from india I have rx100, 95 model. in india the production of two strokes are stopped long back so we r not getting proper spares. last week my bike got seized, searched the whole spares market not able to find a proper bore kit. if anyone can get me bore kit it will be very helpful...

Hi all, I have finally got my 1981 TR1 back together (almost) the wiring loom is on the floor but connected(!) when i try and start the bike it spits back through the rear cylinder carb hard enough to knock it out of its rubber socket!! I have checked the cam timing and the valve clearances, and these are fine, the carbs have been cleaned and appear to be fine (i'm no expert!) but it wont fire, I have spark, and have checked the HT leads are wired up correctly. Also the bike turns over quite slowly although the battery is the correct one, and new. Any help anyone could give me would be really appreciated!! Thanks in advance Andy. PS Thanks drewpy for your advice, b…

Here's a very simple question...what amperage main fuse should be on this bike? Currently (oops, bad pun), there is a blown 6A installed. The Clymer does not indicate what size it should be (although that info could be in an obscure table somewhere). Anybody?

Question for the forum here, I have a 79 XS400 with two problems that I can not seem to figure out. 1. When the bike is getting warm (not completely warmed up yet) and you give it gas, at about 3000-4000RPM the bike acts like it is not getting gas all of a sudden and starts to sputter and will sometimes die out. 2. After the bike has warmed up, that problem goes away, and after you have the bike out for about 15 minutes, when you come to a stop and let the bike idle, it dies out once again like it is not getting fuel. Yes I know, I know, I am awnsering my own questions....I need to clean the carbs on the bike again, but the jets have flow in them they act like they …

hey guys.. new to the forum.. i have a 1982 Yamaha Seca XJ650RJ, and the girlfriend isnt a fan of riding on the back... i'm looking for a backrest or a sissy bar or something of that nature.. i know the maxim's of that year have backrests and they are exactly what i'm looking for.. but im not sure if they will fit... does anyone know where i can get one? or if the maxim's will fit? i dont really want to fabricate my own thanks guys!

Is there any way to get a fuel tank from a different model/bike to fit a 1982 Seca 400? Is there a way to get one that may not be made for it to fit?? I really need a fuel tank, but can't find them anywhere. Please help. Does anyone know how to contact yamaha? -S

Well, I have been out of town and I let a bud borrow the bike. He had a few rides while I was gone but then it stopped starting. Maybe 1 of a 100 kicks gets a few combustions. I did pop the clutch down my short but steep driveway and had it on for a second. I am moving and so I had to just put it on the truck for later. Historically, I have had the clutch "slip" into neutral while up shifting (no indicator). Letting go of the clutch and shifting again would put it in the right gear. Messing with it for a few minutes, adjusting the tension on the clutch cable did get differing feed back on the kickstart (my electric motor is still broken, if it would matter). So a…

I own a dt 175 enduro and just about to get new reg, ive no idea how old it is, can anyone tell me how i can find out

I think im going to be getting an 82 yamaha seca 400, but he says it needs a new gas tank and lights, possibly some other parts. does anyone know where i could find these parts, or if they make any aftermarket parts that would fit? dont really know much about bikes. any info/advice would be very helpful and appreciated. thanks.

Anyone need a YAS1 bottom end, heads, barrels? I've been rooting about in the shed and found a full bottom end, spare crank, a couple of heads and barrels sets and the pistons could be around here some where. I'm looking for about £90 the lot but don't be afraid to haggle. They were off my first ever bike (MABEL) who was taken sadly from me when my elderly parents moved house a few years ago. She had been packed in oiled bags waiting for a re build, then .............THE SCRAPPY GOT HER!!! She always carried a donor card, so I'm going to carry out her final wishes and find her bits a good home. If you're interested email or call me on 0151 639 2182 (ask for B…

Hi, I'm looking to upgrade my Headlight to Halogen. I can't seem to find any parts stores in this area that sell items for older bikes, and I'm afraid of ordering the wrong one from the net . The dim bulb I have currently doesn't seem to have any marking etc on it to identify it by either... from my digging it appears to be an H4, but there is something telling me that may not be correct. I would love to know a part number, or anyway that I can identify the correct bulb. Or, does anyone know an inexpensive internet site that sells replacement Halogens that fit into the oem bucket? Or even better, does Napa, Pepboys or Shucks carry one? Those places always a…

So, I'm rebuilding the engine on my 81 Honda CM400C. I want to clean the carbon and what not off the valves with a wire brush, and clean the inside of the cases. The manual recommends using a wire brush and solvent. What type of sovent should I use? I have engine degreaser for removing sludge on car engines. Will this work on the valves or is there a special solvent I should use? Also, will the "degreaser" be fine to use on the aluminum motorcycle engine? What should I use for the aluminum cases? Any engine cleaning and rebuilding tips would be appreciated! Also, while I have the frame nearly stripped, I will have new brakes pads, sproket, chain and new tyres put…

I recently got this bike running, I have rewired it, changed the battery, plugs, cleaned the carbs and air filters, just to get it to this stage, now I am having another issue.... While I am in gear if I snap on the throttle a little bit (more than 1/4 of the throttle) the bike bogs down...but while in neutral or with the clutch pulled in I can snap the throttle all the way through and the bike responds with the roar it should have, i have ONLY had this problem in gear while riding it, I'm not sure where to look to diagnose this issue....plugs are good, wiring is good, charging system is in check, filters are in check, and the battery is good... Anyone have any idea…

hello all, been a while since ive posted any issues about my bike, but im running into one now. pulled in the clutch handle the other day and felt a pop. got it home and took a peek at the cable, and it had started to fray (about half of the strands had given out). So, I took it off, and when I pulled the clutch side cover off the engine, I noticed that the return spring that forces the clutch mechanism (not sure of exactly what its called, but its the part that the cable actually pulls on) to return to place seemed compressed by about 1/3 of its total length. I had a new cable made for it at a local shop, and when i started installing it, noticed that before I ho…

Hey everyone. Just thought I'd share my project. I'm 16 years old, and picked this up as a first bike for $150. It's come a long way since these pictures from the spring. The bike wouldnt start when I got it. I had the carbs apart, picked up some carb kits for it. Had to play around with the float levels alot. We ran into one problem, one of the floats had a small hole in it, and was therefore full of gas, so the carb kept flooding. I've soldered it shut, but I don't think it'll hold up for too long. Any ideas on where to get a new float for this bike? Next, I got a new master cylinder kit, got the front brake bled, and it works fine. The rear brake is a …

Hi guys, I am new to the forum and hope to build a 1970s Yamaha special (Like the Joey Dunlop bike on the cover of Classic Bikes recently) I have a question. I have been looking at different frames from the following models and was wondering how different they are. They are XS250, XS400, RD250AC/LC , RD350AC/LC and RD400 frames. They all seem to look the same, but do any of you boffins out there know the differences in terms of width, geometry, weight, length, engine mountings, etc. I have heard that the RD350 frame is geometrically the same as the TZ350 frame, only twice as heavy and with extra lugs for road equipment. So are any of the other frames the same as…

I have an 81 XS400 special with a starter problem. The old starter was dead, so I bought a new one off ebay. Now when I press the starter, I hear the starter motor spin, but the motor is not turning over like it is not engaging or something. To be honest, I haven’t looked to much into it yet, but should have time this weekend. Any thoughts on where to start? Thanks