Classics

the saga of me putting together an XS400 out of junk bits continues!!!! However i had a bit of luck today ... i thought that i was going to need to replace the fork-seals.. but i dont need to. i pulled the fork-leg dust covers off today and the seals were nice and clean & dry. most of it`s there now such as a running engine in the frame, all the electrics appear to work, both brakes function, seat, tank, carbs, exhaust...i`ve even changed the oil & filter!!!!and no swarf in the spent oil she will never win a beauty contest, but i will feel an enormous sense of achievement if i get her to the MOT station under her own steam NOW does anybo…

Good Day, Have an issue trying to find out what the tire size limit and or preferred tires are available for my rd125dx. I thought of going to the bt45s putting a 90/90 on the front and a 110/80 on the rear. just don't know if they will fit. I have just posted on my website, if you are interested in a nice article on the 1981 yamaha rd125 for beginners.. www.champsclock.com/cyclecollection.htm Cheers, Champ

Hi guys, just joined. Dont know if anyone can hlp me but Im looking for an XS650 as a project for over winter, preferably fairly complete but open to anything, I say project as funds are a bit limited, been keeping an eye out on ebay and there doesnt seem to be much out there! Has anyone got one for sale, know of one, parts etc. would be gratefull for any help. My dad had a 650 special US custom and I loved it, now looking to get my own XS. also posted this here as cant seem to post in the wanted section. Cheers, Doug.

heres the thing! my xs400 bitsa has ally wheels at the moment and they are fine.... But i want to convert it to wire spoked wheels. If i coulds find some from another XS that would be great... But i have more chance of putting my own foot in my ear than i have finding XS wire spoked wheels!!! so i plan to look elsewhere (breakers yards), but what i would like to know is do any of you lot out there know what other bikes might have wire spoked wheels that could be compatible/match. thanks

So I am thinking of getting a RD exhaust and modding the flanges and junk to fit on the xs. Will this work? I am afraid of clearance issues since the expansion chamber look huge.

PLease post in the wanted section, forum rules

DVLA say its still out there but sorned, does anyone know its whereabouts or own it?? My dad used to own it, sold it around '96. A long shot but wondered where it now is.

Greetings, and thank you in advance for your input. I am in Malawi (Africa) staying at a friend's house. Going through his garage I found a dusty 2-stroke Yamaha which I have discovered to be a 1976 YB100 (at least mostly). I am considering trying to get it running. Is it worth it? Are there any common failing points that I should check out before getting too involved with this project? Getting spares will probably prove quite difficult in Malawi, so I expect I will be doing some improvising. I have done a little degunking and visual inspection of the outside, nothing looks too far gone. It turns over nicely. Compression test gives about 90 P.S.I. I…

The old XS400 now has JUST over 30K showing and still running good... These here XS400s sure are reliable...

Has anybody replaced the XS400 steering head bearings with the taper ones? If so is it normal for the new top bearing cup to stick up above the level of the frame? Comparing the old cup I drifted out that fitted flush to the frame and the new one there is a marked difference in depth. Thanks Caddy

So how do you guys get your cables not to bunch up on aftermarket bars? I am putting clubmans on mine and the throttle and clutch cables are getting bunched up and I am afraid it will kink or something. What do you guys do.

I need to replace the rear tire on my 1973 tx500. The tire that is on it now is a Bridgestone Super Speed 4.00H-18. May I replace it with a 11090H-18, or 12090H-18 size tire, are they wider than the 4.00H-18. What is the best brand and size to use to replace it with? Thanks

I am going to restore my best friend's childhood Yamaha 80 dirt bike. The manufacturer label indicates it was made 10/72, so I assume it's a 1973 model. The VIN is 393-004045. The battery cover has a Torque Induction decal below the number 80 decal. He referred to it as an Enduro, but I'm having a hard time determining exactly what model it is so I can begin searching for parts and other restoration resources. The gas tank decals and stripes appear to be painted. Is the paint lacquer? I've attached a couple of photos hoping someone can give me some specifics. Thanks.

i know this may have been done before, but please help if you can... i am in the process of building a xs400 flat tracker... but can i find any types of exhaust!!!! can i diddly ... i have searched and searched and the only ones i can get are bespoke and cost £350 and upwards!! does anyone know any of the specs of the exhausts of these bikes and if the exhaust off any other bikes fit with a bit of fidling. i only paid £65 for two bikes and three engines so a bespoke exhaust is a bit silly on such a bike. any info would be welcome thanks such as any specialists dealing with older japs

Anyone have the manual for the at3 I got this thing a few weeks ago i know it runs but do not know about oiler yet was unhooked doesnt look like for long though it has a plastic wheel on the side that appears to be an adjuster thanks

Dear Sirs, My -95 SR 250 TH is cutting out, but the way how it does it is weird, help needed, please please. The bike starts always without any problem and idles perfectly, as long as I want. When I ride it, the engine pulls really well and then suddenly it just cuts out, no warning or anything, same as just switching the ignition off. If I ride for example at 80 km/h, it won't start again if I let it roll on gear. I have let it roll even like 200 meters and it just doesn't start. But if I just pull the clutch in, let the rpms drop to zero and press start, it starts a again immediatelly. In other words, if it cuts out at highway speeds for example, I just pull t…

I have a 1975 XS500C with only 5000 miles. Its a very clean bike and I have it running really well now. However, it seems that the timing chain is making a fair bit of noise. I can't imagine why it would be worn out at 5000 miles, the rest of the engine is in great condition. Could it be a tensioner problem? I did the tensioner adjustment and it did nothing for the noise. If I turn the engine over slowly by wrenching the exhaust cam the chain will gather slack between the cams and I can see the tensioner backing off. The few XS500's that I have seen and heard make the same sort of noise but, it would seem that the engine is only 1 good starting kickback away from the ch…

Ladies & gentlemen, a little advice, if you would be so kind. Having had an utterly crap 2009, during which I lost my job and worse, my beloved TDM, I have been bikeless for most of the year. I now find myself continually poring over ads in MCN and eBay for something I might be able to afford. Some have come and gone but I'm being uber careful and have not as yet succumbed to anything. Bearing in mind that my budget is woefully low, any offers for sparkly new/newish machines for sale will only add to the depression. However, this week I came across an XJ550, 1982 vintage, in eBay. Apparently it's a runner but has a headlight relay issue plus possibly other elec…

hey guys I just put new bronze bushings on there and it took a bit of encouragement and heat/cold to fit it in. Now I got everything all greased up nice and I torqued it to 47 lbs. How stiff should the swing arm play be? right now it acts like its frozen until I get it to about 20 lbs than it moves very freely. I believe the new bushings are a bit thicker in width than the old one, hence the lower torque settings. Any ideas?

I have a 1981 XS400S which I just replaced the throttle cable in. The bike started on first kick and ran beautifully beforehand. After I got the tank back on and everything together it started just fine and idled for a bit then shut off. After that it was very hard to start and only ran for about half a minute before it stalls. If the bike sits for an hour or so bike will start back up. Any suggestions?