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Just wondering what you guys are using for the XT350. I guess 50/50 or so. Been using Kenda 270's front and rear. Any other suggestions? Looking for cheap long lasting tires with some bite. Really haven't had any problems with the Kenda's just wondering if there is anything any better? thanks

Thanks, I was able to order one from a Yamaha dealer. Apparently the part from Yamaha is discontinued. There were a few in the pipeline though. I would have mail ordered it but it would take longer to get here. Not cheap but better than a long hot walk out of the desert. I got this one used also but years ago maybe 94 or so. Great bike very few if any problems,except this one and a couple of carb cleans and a carb boot replacement. My wife wants me to get a new one but not sure I want to part with her. The bike that is.

Thanks considering the circumstances , being miles out in the desert, it maybe a good idea to just change it out. I am assuming the part that needs to be changed it the coil right?? The coil the plug cable goes into. Not to be a dum ()!(;: but want to make sure there isn't some other icc I'm not aware of. Do you think I can still get this from a Yamaha dealer or is it something special considering the age?? Thanks

First the bike runs great with no known problems. I was out in the desert doin some pd hunting. It was about 90* and I was doin a lot of first gear running. Frequent stops to glass the area then more low gear running on prairie trails. I stopped to turn around and the bike shut off. I tried to start her but no luck. Checked to make sure I was getting fuel to the carb. No problem. This bike usually starts on the first kick. Does the xt350 get hot and just shut down?? I waited about 20 minutes and she fired right up and got me home with no problem. Again is it possible she just got hot from the low gear running in the heat with little air over the fins and just shut down?? Is this normal for the 89 xt350?? Thanks for the help

I really don't want to get into a big discussion here. Oil threads are beat to death. I just want to know what you guys are putting in your ole xt's since 20w/40 is no longer available? Mine is an 89' with about 17K on it. Also has anyone put full synthetic in the thing? Just wondering how it reacted with the clutch. I've been using 10w-40 Valvoline motorcycle oil because it's pretty easily available. What are you guys using? thanks

Put the Castrol in a couple of days ago and put about 60 miles on it since. Seems fine with no clutch slip.

Ok thanks. I went to the site and found my bike on their list. They suggested the proper oil. I found it at a local chain auto parts store so I can get it anywhere. Has the jsco spec. So I guess I'm good. The only thing is its 10/40 and the xt manual calls for 10/30. Haven't found that in years. Anyway I picked up a couple of quarts of the Castrol Power RS 4t 10/40.

Ok thanks. I know we are in different areas but where do you find the Castrol? I'll look a bit today and see what I can find but not sure I have seen the Castrol motor cycle oil.

Is the word maybe viscosity? Are you also saying that 10/40 Castrol is ok to use. I am guessing it's the regular motor oil for cars right? I know I don't want friction reducers on the oil because of the wet clutch. With regular motor oil I was concerned with the shearing. I guess you guys haven't found that to be a problem. If regular motor oil is fine than should I look for the synthetic blend? I also ride in all conditions hot, cold, various altitudes just where ever I am at the time.

Yeah that is what I was kinda thinkin with syn in the ole bikes. The catch here is I would like to find an oil that is readily available throughout the U.S. I am on the road a lot and need to be able to find something easily when needed. I have been using Valvoline motorcycle oil and so far no problems. Really no reason to change but I did read somewhere that it wasn't that good. I am assuming I need motorcycle oil since the same stuff is in the gearbox as the crankcase.

I've used it in a KLR but not in the XT. It works fine in the KLR but not sure in the XT. Not sure if there is anything in the XT clutch pack that may react differently than the KLR especially since the KLR is an 07 and the XT is an 89. Your right sounds like it should work but ya never know.

Has anyone used the Mobil 1 synthetic motorcycle oil in the xt350? I was wondering how it worked with the clutch? I have used it in my KLR without any problems at all. Anyone have any exp with it? They call it V twin 20/50 thanks

Thanks guys. Your right. It runs like a raped ape now... I took it apart again and put the guitar string though the jets. i saw nothing in either one. I took a bit of time and just poked the holes real well. Re shot everything with the carb cleaner and put it back together. Fired her up and she ran like crap. I rode about a mile and just sat there for a bit and let it get hot. Still missing and sputtering. RPM all over the place even at idle. Just as bad as when I started. Got back to the campsite and my wife came out to see how I made out. Terrible I told her. Just then the rpm's started to settle. I adjusted the idle to about 1500 and let it idle for a bit. Not a miss, hiccup or stumble nothin. I took er back out on the road and she ran like a new bike. Idle at 1500 smooth as a thumper can do. Accelerates from idle strong through all six gears. Downshifts back to first without a complaint and will sit and idle just fine. I think I must have loosened some crap in there and sucked what every was out. You guys hit the nail on the head. Even though I "cleaned it" there was still stuff in there somewhere. The guitar strings are great for the orphis's (sp maybe). I had to buy a cheap set for 7 bucks. The E string is the one to use. Thanks again guys for hangin in there with me on this one. It payed off.

I think the first thing I will do is run a guitar string though both jets tomorrow. There has to be something in there. I didn't see anything and the the carb cleaner went through pretty well but it's worth another look see.

Yep everything I could get to from the bowel I sprayed. The bowel was actually very clean. Everything looked good. I put on a new fuel line with a filter and a new cross over line from the primary to the secondary. She just won't idle properly and she still stumbles at low rpm in the neutral throttle position.

Ok done but not good. The pilot was blocked so I cleaned it out. Put it all back together and took it out. She has a very rough idle. I have it at about 2k and she will idle there for about three or four seconds then miss and drop to 1500 then build up to maybe 2300 and settle down to 2000, it's not consistent she may make it a little longer or shorter but the idle is real bad. Now the good news is she will run without the choke. Even at low rpm cruising she will jerk and miss. The other good thing is she will pull right off of idle. She would stumble and stammer before until the rpm got up a bit. Any ideas????????????

Ok not done yet but I got the bowel off and it is clean. I took the main jet out and it's clean and all the little holes on the tube are clean where the needle goes into. I have not gotten the pilot out yet, My screw drivers are to big to get into the hole. Of course I tore the connecting tube from the primary to the secondary but that's no be deal. I'm hoping it's the pilot jet. Only one screw on the bowel was a little stiff but really not a problem. Just took just as much torch as I wanted to give it before trying something else but she broke free.

Well now I do. I went up to options and went down the list. I thought it would be automatic as with other lists if you say follow or subscribe. Anyway yours is the first one I was notified with to my email after I set the options. I "think" I have it set right now.

Hey thanks again guys. I didn't get a chance to take it apart today. We are on the road camping and it rained most of the day so really no where to work. Tomorrow sounds like a better day. I did get a can of 3m carb cleaner this afternoon, That stuff is the best, it works great. Anyway the plan is to get it goin tomorrow. Like I said after I get her off of idle and twist the grip she pulls though all 6 hard. I think I'll put a filter in the line this time. Any more tricks or suggestions,I'm listening. Hey why am I not getting notification when you guys reply to my post? It says at the top of the page unfollow this topic. That tells me I am following this with notifications but I havn't gotten one yet. thanks

Thanks for the tips. I'll take my time and hopefully this will do the trick. It's a great bike and have had little problems with it.

It really won't be to much of a problem to get the carb loose,just the two clamps and pull out the air intakes. I should probably take the jet out and clean it. Like I said never cleaned it. Now the only jet that will need cleaning is the main jet on the primary side right? Once I get a bit of throttle on she runs like a banchi. It just won't take throttle from the neutral position or with the choke off. She pops and hacks and has a terrible time.

Thanks guys. I plan to change the fuel today. How much of a job is it to clean out the main jet? I am on the road camping so I have some tools but limited. Also not the best working conditions, sand and poor work space. If its a matter of taking off a cover on the card to get to the jet that would be fine but a major digging may be a problem. Heck the thing is an 89 and never had the carb apart. thanks guys

I was having a problem with the xt it was stumbling hard to start and I had to run with the choke on. I changed the intake boots and it seemed to run fine with just a little stumbling when the throttle was in the neutral area, not on not off. The bike has sat for about 2 months. I took it out yesterday and she fired right up. Even with the choke on she really didn't want to take fuel. Once that got worked through she wouldn't run without the choke on full. Also the horn won't work. The throttle responce is jerkey and if I take the choke off she will stall. I havnt delved into it as of yet but I am thinking low battery, maybe a mouse nest in the air cleaner or the boots came loose. Any ideas??? thanks for the help

Oh well I guess it would cost 500 bucks before I got one here. LOL Funny they build a ton of these things you would think Yamaha would at least have a listing for a battery. Go figure Got the horn in today and it works great. Like I said I used the stock mounting bracket. Of course you have to leave the right scoop thing off. I think in the rain or in the mud I would fit a plastic bag around it. Not sure it needs it but it is right up front.

Interesting day today. Started the install of the Steble horn this afternoon. The battery that is in the bike has to be 8 or 9 years old. At the time I couldn't find one so Battery Warehouse made one for me. Been workin since. I was thinkin this may be a good time to put a new battery in. Called the Yamaha dealer it was like the bike never existed. They have no listing for an XT350. Funny they made this bike for 20 years or so. I think they stopped in 2000. You would think you should still be able to get a battery. Which begs the question where do you guys get your batteries. Back to the install. Not done yet got dark and I need a couple of things. The wireing kit came with the relay, wires and connectors. I just ran the wires today. I'll hook them up tomorrow. Another interesting thing is I could use the stock bracket that the original horn attached to. You don't "have to" make a mounting bracket however the right scoop will have to be removed. I may do something later but for now it's fine. The front fender "just" passes by the horn. I'll hook it up tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes. I understand it should be loud.