Classics

Hi all, I'm upgrading the carbs on my 1975 XS500B and I have a couple questions: 1) Intake manifolds... can I run manifolds designed for the XS650? I know the stock manifold part numbers are different but I am hoping that this is only because tha carbs were different. Basically, I want to know if the upgraded manifolds designed for an XS650 will mount to my engine. 2) I am planning to buy the VM32, is this sufficient or do I need the VM34? The bike will be running pods and free flowing exhaust. It has upgraded coils and wires and NGK iridium plugs. Thanks, R

1980 Yamaha XS 400 Special First, How do you tell if it has an electronic ignition or not? Second, Bike has been setting on a dirt floor building sense 1988. Can't get it to start.Pulled plugs and put some Marvel Mystery oil in top of cylinder head. Used foot start to turn over engine. It was ok. Install new Autolite 63 spark plugs. Change oil and filter, cleaned out fuel tank, install fuel filter. Have put gas in spark plug holes. Didn't hit. Took off the 2 carbs, cleaned and checked..didn't soak it in carb cleaner.The carb rubber mounts are cracked on the outside, but look ok on the inside. Any help in what to do to try and get this engine to try to start…

Just to say hallo, after a few years trip to the maxi scooter world, I'm so happy to be back again with my "new" 1977 Yam XS 500. A bit of a Cafe racer style, but in very good and original condition. Hope to be spending time here on forums in the cafe section, not in technical. So hallo everybody, and it feels good to be back !!

Hi there and hello to all! I used to be a member on this forum a couple of years ago but i cant remember my user name and have changed e mail. So i re registered and here i am. I have an XS400 that i belive to be an XS400 SH Herritage 4R4 1980. As im in the UK this bike was imported to the uk from the US in 1997 and was then in storage in the UK till 2008. It is a genuine clean bike and has a few problems with the electrical system and carbs due to being in storage for so many years. My problem is this i have the engine and frame number but im struggling to find parts for this US spec bike. my local yam dealer cannot find the exact spec for my bike when i give the deta…

im second owner from new, bought it for £140. been standing for 15 years, had fuel problems, crud goin through :/ fixed for now and she is running sweetly, bit of a problem with idling (any ideas)? but iv now learnt to ride on it (im 14) learnt off my grandad who owns a 1949 Vincent Rapide, a 1954 AJS 18S and a 1930 Douglas. I myself own a 1965 BSA Bantam D7 Super

I have a 1981 SR 500 with 12K miles in decent (probably "Fair") condition that needs work beyond my meager abilities. It was running OK last year until last winter when I neglected it for a few months. Now it only starts occasionally but not for long, so I can't ride it anymore. Cosmetically, there's some minimal rust on the frame, a few dents on the tank. I bought it used recently and never had it looked over by a professional mechanic so I was thinking maybe I should, and while I'm at it, maybe I should bring it back to like new condition. Anyone have any idea how much complete restoration would cost me? With or without new paint / cosmetic stuff (dents on t…

I know this is a repeat of previous threads... but not sure if my problem is different so thought I'd post... My bike has been riding great past 2 weeks... Couple days ago, I put 3oz of SeaFoam to my tank which had 3 gallons of gas probably and road around probably .5 gallons fine... I accidentally left my manual petcock on overnight. Garage might have smelled a bit gassy yesterday, but no gas leaked out of airbox which was my main concern. Had alot of trouble starting bike so i initially thought it was too much gas getting passed floats and leaking somewhere bad ... Tried starting many times to no avail ... checked plugs. maybe one was a bit wet/gassy ... I cleared it…

Hi Everyone, I've located a filter option for the XS500 on ebay UK. The auction is here: My link This kit will allow you to use the following filters on your Yamaha XS500: K&N: KN-303 Emgo: 10-82232 Purolator: ML16817 Yamaha: 3FV-13440-00 FRAM: PH6017A I've confirmed that the seller would ship to Canada so I assume the USA is a-ok too. I'm not bidding as I got lucky and sourced one locally. These are very hard to find and mine cost me $80USD. Good luck all! R

Hi, Ive got a 1979 Mx 80. Ive been working on this thing for a little while and I am close to getting it running. Ive got a spark from the fly wheel but Ive got nothing coming out of the ignition coil. I talked to a mechanic that said I need to check the ground, there is a good connection to the frame, so Im out of ideas. Please Help

My contribution to the community so far is what NOT to do; I suspect this to have gone unheeded after reading a recent post about someone trying the same thing - Kickstart/spring problem and having the case cover off. Although with clutch disengaged THIS is much less likely to happen: After getting the bike in April (using part of my tax refund) I planned on getting her running w/ minimal funds and mechanical fuss. Due to unforseen and unmindful circumstance a COMPLETE tear-down was obviously, without question a necessity. Turns out for the better since to do so, with no prior rebuilding exp. this idea was entirely daunting. So now, recently newbie to…

Have a 82' Seca XS400, just changed the exhaust from the originals (rusted out dual pipes) to a new 2-into-1 MAG exhaust. At the same time I completed cleaned out my carbs and increased my jet size on both carbs up one number to account for the new exhaust. Now since I added the exhauset while the bike runs fine, when I get to the 6000 RPM level it hesitates, and does not have the same pull as before. My question is, should I go back to the original jets? or do I need to go up even higher? Not sure about others but I find it very hard to get the carbs out (rubber boots make moving it in and out very hard), so I would like to get it right versus trial and err…

I bought a 1983 yamaha maxim400 and when I start it after a few minutes there a leaking from the bottom ,exactly where the filter box at,I am not really that good with bikes but it's really not hard to describe a problem like this...so thank you .

Well my bike is coming along very well but am running into problems finding replacement Carb Kits online. I found a kit for a 1981 XS850 that looks the same except for different jet numbers. Has anyone on here tried it and does it work? thanks - Mike PS - Before anyone suggests it I have dealt with Partsnmore and MikesXS with very poor results. That is the reason why I am looking elsewhere. Thx.

Well, I finally finished converting this thing! The only true xs400 parts anymore are the engine and frame for the most part. Front end, tank, and rear wheel/mc are from an xs750. Fiberglass seat made by me. And a bunch of other random junk I don't feel like listing out! Like it, hate it, do tell! *carbs aren't on the bike as they're waiting for new diaphragms to arrive. And I didn't have the oil filter on when I took the pics. Oh, and when I asked the painter to do British racing green, he took it one step further and used factory Jaguar green. Made my day.

I was curious. I had an old non-stock 2-1 exhaust on my bike when I bought it. Im going to convert back to 2-2... I already bought some nice mufflers and then asked around for some headers... Got a nice 81 exhaust almost free from someone. Not sure if its stock... The mufflers seemed to be welded on the headers ... Will get a local shop to nicely cut 'em off. My question is... it looks like the exhaust has a pipe underneath that connects them both to each other... What is the purpose of this? Can i just get away with putting on my mufflers onto the headers and not doing a shared exhaust system? Thanks!, Arian

Am I wrong that Clymer does not have a book for the XS400? Have searched HERE and there, called the Clymer pub's # and others. Places called will say, sure we have it in stock even, then, no, sorry that happens to be for the 750, our mistake.

I bought this bike for $125. I only know that it is a 1975 500cc. Does anyone know more information about this bike (exact model name)? Where can I find parts? Thanks, Jason

I have a '79 XS 400F. The headlight works on high beam, but not low beam. I have power to the back of the bulb from the low beam switch, so I believe the low filament is bad. Here's the thing- I know there is not a lot of spare capacity in these charging systems. I would like to find a replacement in the stock wattage of 40w/30w. Most of the replacements I see are 60w/55w. I seldom ride at night, but I want everything to work, so I want my low beam. I do not, however, want to put a more powerful headlight in if it will tax the charging system. So, a couple of questions: 1) Where can I find a new, stock type 40w/30w headlight? (not interested in buying some…

Hi Guys i have now got a yamaha 1987 rxs100 nearly a year after my yamaha ybr125 was stolen and a little nervous about having an older bike as the ybr was so easy. any tips or advice for this bike? regards stacey

I have a 1973 RT3 Yamaha 360 enduro that occasionally goes backwards.No, I'm not crazy (yet)......if I shut the bike off and release the clutch while in gear and push it forward, I can restart the bike and it will go forward. What's causing this? I'm worried, that sooner or later it won't go forward and I will be in deep "do-do" while trail riding.