Classics

I found it somewhat hard tracking down the right brake shoes for my cafe project but after a lot of research I found about four different brands to choose from. Out of the four there was only one really worth buying that would give braking performance much higher than stock and when talking two-wheel drum setup this definitely is a significant point. I decide after a lengthy conversation with a vintage motorcycle brake specialist in California who discussed/compared all other manufacturers products in great detail to purchase the Ferodo brand shoes. Definite no-brainer! The part #'s are FSB 770 front and FSB 736 for those of you out there who are interested in buying a ne…

When turning the key on, the neutral light comes on dim after a few seconds and gets brighter. When trying to start, the starter solenoid clicks but the starter does not turn over. When pushing the horn button it barely makes a noise. I replaced the starter solenoid and ignition switch but did not help. I just found this site and it seems a lot of you know what your doing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Hey guys, Over the course of my XS 250 rebuild bought a pair of XS 650 handlebar switches, had to splice some terminals because everything didn't match up properly...putting everything back now and I'm having some problems. This is off the wiring harness This is from the new RHS switch This is from the new LHS switch Now...if I kept the original switches, everything would be good except for the 2 2-into-1 green and brown terminals (which I have been told are indicators) having no matching terminals. Now with the new switches, they have a home but the black and blue terminal from the RHS switch no longer has a match (which I think is the lights …

Hi all. I'm not sure if these were available in the UK. but growing up as a kid in South Africa the rules were- you could ride a 50cc legally with a Learner's License from the age of 16. It was the ultimate badge of independance being 16 and owning 'A 50''. There were two major players that kids used to aspire to- the Honda MBX50 and the king - the Yamaha Rz 50cc. Gang wars could break out depending on which one you supported I got mine just before turning 17 after doing God knows what to scrimp and save to get the money together. Buying fixing and selling BMX's, selling fruit- eg. a crate of oranges repackaged into bags of 5 would sell for a R1 (about 8p) outsi…

In the middle of rebuilding my xs400, and noticed my left rear shock started leaking. I was going to replace them eventually, but guess I get to do it now! I know the shocks currently on there aren't stock, and they seem much bigger than the stockers too. I think I'll have to stick with the oversized shocks as they provide clearance for the chopped tail. So, can anyone tell me what options I have for a similar sized set? Thanks! Edit: I measured a little more precisely, and found the shocks are 14.5" eye to eye. I wouldn't mind going with a 14" shock to help give the chain a little more clearance (has been rubbing the swingarm with no weight on the seat). any recom…

I basically read through this informative article: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/restoring.htm and was curious what products you would recommend, if you agree with steps the reviewer took. I have rust on my xs400 fork badge that I'd like to get rid of, and saw many solutions (Turtle Wax Chrome Polish And Rust Remover, Autosol, or put Diet coke on rusted Chrome parts, and wipe away rust with crumbled aluminum foil, steel wool with a rust remover, lemon juice on a brillo-pad, WD40+Lemon Pledge?!, sandpaper+primer+rustoleum). Not sure where the specific part un-rusting would go in that tutorial (after washing?, so remove rust, pre-wax?, polish and then wax it? )…

i have recently accuried a rough dt175 and whilst inspection i have found that the bore is on 66.25mm but someone has put a shorter gudgeon pin in. should i replace the piston as well as the small end many thanks charlie

Can anyone help identify the history of my bike. It is clearly a 87/88 model but was not registered here until 1998 .. however the registration is 'F' .. so I guess that is age related. The vin no is a 9 digit starting 2LM. All a bit confusing. An import with a KMs clock too. Lovely bike as the milage is only about 6000ks .. and that seems to be genuine judging by the condition of everything. Any help/pointers would be appreciated. Thanks. Mike

the spring to the brake light switch has sprung loose,on the foot brake ,1982 rd350lc,does any one have a photo shot of how it fits ,as i cant see were it has unhooked from.

I have recently purchased a 87 XJ550 as bit of a running project, can anyone tell me what fuel it will run on . I'm guessing it will be leaded but whats the best mix for it. Cheers.

The previous owner modified the stock exhaust into a 2 into 1 style. However, he didn't think of oil filter cover access when he did so. So as it is now, I have to remove the exhaust to change the oil. And I'm not liking that. I did a little searching for complete 2 into 1 systems and found this on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150391795363&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=19c3d9971250a0b582e041e0ffda7233&rvr_id=&ua=WVF%3F&itemid=150391795363 Has anyone tried one of these? How is the fit? How is the sound? Thanks!

Hey again, got yet another question about the project! When I bought the bike, the previous owner had removed the side covers and air box, and used just cone filters on the carbs. i plan to go back to an air/battery box, with side covers. I've ordered the air box, along with a set of side covers. But I don't see where the side covers would attach to the bike. Do they attach to the airbox? If not, it's possible the previous owner removed the part that the cover attaches to. Would anyone be able to post a pic of where they attach? I have all the manuals, but most are for '82 and up, after the design of the side covers was changed and I can't seem to find a description or p…

Is this included in the XS400 Athena 27 peice complete Gasket set? My mechanic said "yeh if its top and bottom end, it should". but OldBikeBarn says no. Already bought one off partsnmore.com for other gaskets, but not sure about that one i need. If the gasket set doesn't include it, anyone got a link to get 1978 XS400 valve/rocker cover gasket. Thanks, Ari

Hi everybody, i'm a newbie to this forum and i'll run you through what i'm doing. Bought a non running VFR400 from ebay to build myself a low rider / streetfighter crossover, found out the reason it was not running was a holed piston on 1 cylinder and no piston and half a con rod on another one. Not a big deal as engine was not part of the look i am after, but did like the rolling chassis as a starting point. So, started looking on Ebay for an air cooled twin as this will look great in frame, won as xs250 complete engine with carbs for £26. Engine is now in frame after modding frame and making some adaptor plates and a cradle, vfr engine was stressed part of frame, b…

Been looking for some replacement turn signals that are DOT approved for a cafe racer bike. Live in PA, assume i need DOT approved turn signals to get inspected (heard conflicting info, but i'd rather have bright lights to be safe on my '78 XS400). Thanks!, Ari not sure what will fit my bike: Here is a list of all DOT approved K & S turn signals, not sure how many wires,bulb filaments i should use (seems like dual filament=2wires, single filament=1 wire) http://www.kandstech.com/index.php?page=yamahaturn# Universal K & S DOT approved: http://shop.hyperformanceparts.com/productdetail.htm?productId=7913676&ez=K;amp;S~q=bidaa745zz~r=~&rand=41188

hi all, i have a 1981 rd350lc, it has an engine number starting with 4li but a frame number starting with 4lo, am i right in thinking that 4li means 250cc and 4lo means 350cc ? just to add it's on e.bay at the moment for sale, have a look, i'm in bridport in west dorset.

Hey people. New rider and new to this site. I'm trying to figure out exactly what I'm going to be fixing up. Papers say a 1983 Yamaha 400cc. After a bit of research I figured out that it is a maxim xs 400 but what I'm trying to find out a little more info about it. This pic is not my bike but it looks identical to the one I picked up. http://www.motorsloop.com/images/yamaha/MP69GJXS400M.JPG Also, while trying to get info from my VIN # i am unable to find anything because it is a 9 digit number. frame # engine # and VIN # all match. 15g 040398 Any help would be appreciated.

I recently received a 1980 XS 400 special from my father who had left it unattended for about 2 years under the carport. I'm having trouble getting it to start, the lights won't even turn on, so i thought maybe someone here could give me a few pointers. The bike needed a new throttle cable, two new tires, and i was warned the battery died often. At the time it was totally dead. The first thing i did was replace the throttle cable, and reassemble the electric starter button box on the handle bars (it was missing the button). After that i removed the carbs for a good clean out and drained the oil and gas. The carbs were actually in surprisingly good condition. T…

I have recently purchased a scruffy but good XJ550. Its numbers all match up and is registered as a 1987 but all parts lists for a XJ550's go from 81-84? I've checked photos of other XJ550's and it looks the same? Does anyone know if the the XJ550 was built up to 1987? if not what could it be? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I am a new forum member and have recently purchased a XS360-2D with 9k miles as a cafe project to keep me busy this winter. I purchased the bike off Craigslist for $50 as a complete unmolested non-runner and did so without any research on specific model. If you own one of these models you probably know where I'm headed with this story. I got the bike home tore it down a bit to get my bearings on how I wanted to proceed. First off I got online and quickly found out that this bike was only built 2-years and parts availability on some things is slim to non-existent depending on part and all parts I did locate seem to be very expensive. But through some research over the…