Gnash

I put on a new "gasket" deal. It's the rubber part with the 4 holes in it under the valve. That didn't help. I put a fuel cutoff valve in line. It's working. I'm getting a couple drops overnight leaking out of the valve. I'm gonna rebuild the whole thing or find another one. thanks

All is well! The starter was cooked. I am so lucky to have found a boneyard about 80 miles from my house! They must have had 10 83 xs 400 maxims!!!!!!!! This guy has a couple thousand bikes laying around!! Anyway I found another starter, that looks brand new, for $65. It started right up and doesn't drain the voltage. Problem solved. It's also good to know I have a place to find a TCI, voltage regulator or some other hard to fins part close by.

So, I sold my 83 xs 400. The guy rode it around town all day before buying it. After he gives me the money, he rides it home and a few miles down the road, the bike dies. He flooded it and couldn't get it started. He cranked on the starter for a long time until the battery died. I showed up with a new battery, cleaned the plugs off, PUT SOME GAS IN IT, and started it. Now my stater is toast. It will not crank at full speed. I took it apart and found some windings "welded together" inside. After I got the bike started the first time, I would ride for a few minutes then the bike would just die while riding. Would this starter be a "dead short" now, and cause the bike to die? I'm assuming it's not letting the charging system keep the voltage up. I have spark, but now I can't even get a full crank with a new battery. I had never had to crank on the starter like this guy did. This is a new symptom. I gave the guy his money back after I started the bike and it sounded cool, as far as a knock or anything. He will buy it again after I get it running again. I'm putting a new starter on in a couple of days. Any thoughts?

It wouldn't stop the leak? I just need to keep the gas from flowing while the bike is not running. Right now, I'm taking the gas tank off every time I ride!

My 83 xs 400 DOHC Maxim has recently developed "Petcock Incotinence." It just drips out with the valve set to the on position. It normally doesn't leak anything. The petcock has res, pri, and on. None of these posotions are "Off." The on position is off when the bike isn't running. It set overnight. I came in the next morning and I must have leaked a half a gallon onto the floor. It's filling up the carbs too, leaking out of the intake side and filling up the cylinders. Some gas got onto my NEW backtire and formed a bubble on the tire. I am so pissed. Anyway. Is there a quick fix for the valve? I want to put a "Shut-off" valve after the petcock and in front of the filter. Will this hinder performance? It seems like my only option without putting in another petcock. Thanks

You can actually get to the air mix screws with the carbs on, through the airbox. It's a bitch, but once you get a flathead on the slot your in. I start at 1 turn and go from there. Between 1 and 2 turns. I have never adjusted past 2 turns. Man, the floats are a bitch. I actually have a friend who adjusted those for me with this carb tool that looks like a couple thermometers for two carbs. I could never get it right by just guessing by bending the tab on the floats.

I'm not sure where you live, but I found Castrol MOTORCYCLE oil at Orielly's in my very small town, here in Missouri. Just go to your local auto parts store and you should find some. Be sure and mention 4 stroke oil.

Can you fit two carbs in there, or do you seperate them to fit? I've got to get one of these!

Please...elaborate!

I have been ordering alot from Visit My Website They ship QUICK!!!

Nice! I was having issues like this until I cleaned the carbs again and put a fuel filter on.

www.denniskirk.com

AHA! So, less teeth=higher speed! Got it. I want a 17 or more for front sprocket or less than 35 for back!

Thanx for the link, Rascal! Reading now.

I think it will have plenty of power for me. I'm 180lbs. If not, I can go back. I would like to get the bike to rev 4 grand at 55. It just seems like it would be a pretty easy mod. So I have a 16 tooth sprocket now. Should I try a 17 or 18? Will I need a chain with more links? I have 100 links now.