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drewpy

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Posts posted by drewpy

  1. Hi everyone,

    I bought a non-running TX500 for almost nothing, and my boyfriend and I are going to do all the work of restoring it ourselves. Besides replacing broken parts (already ordered) getting new tires (no way am I going to trust these ones) doing routine maintenance, and repainting, is there anything else we should probably do? We'll have the engine apart because it's seized, so if we can make any improvements while we're in there, we might as well. I don't care about increasing the performance. I am thinking in terms of reliability first, fuel economy second. I read some article about the 750cc version which said you shouldn't go above 4000 rpms in spite of the higher redline. It said that certain design flaws cause problems that don't offer much warning. Specifically, a poorly designed oiling system and the main bearings. Another site said that the heads are prone to cracking. Can we do anything about these issues besides keeping the revs low?

    need to check the counterbalance system as the chains can wear. The problems occur when owners don't change the oil at regular intervals so causing seizures in the top end (and cracking the head as it overheats)

    never heard of a 750cc version and 4k rev ceiling would mean 50mphish top speed on standard gearing!!!!

    I don't have one of these bikes, and they were rare in blighty. A few VJMC members have restored one and I would advise joing the american chapter and asking there.

  2. Cool stuff. I'm going to try to make one myself with the original pan. I'll see how that goes first.

    There's a 2 into 1 exhaust for sale on ebay I've been looking at. It was pulled from 81 XS400H, guy said it'll fit mine. Already black too. It'll set me back $110. Item number: 320107634527

    Which do you think would look better...straight pipes or the 2 into 1? Obviously straight pipes will be cheaper.

    looks like you would have to paint that exhaust.

    not sure its worth making a seat, It would be cheaper to buy a glass fibre one already made and modify the frame. The narrow seats are a feature of a cafe racer.

  3. That's close to what I'm going to go for I think. Matte black though. Any thoughts on how to make the bubble on the back of the seat like that on the original pan off the bike? Fiberglass?

    Love the header wrap too. Heard its not good for them though...any advice?

    easy, buy from here

    http://www.omarsdtr.com/homeend.html

    header wrap keeps the gasses hot and draws the heat away from the engine (and rider) that's why the're used, just gets mucky after a bit and have to re-do occasionaly

    Stafford this weekend, and weather's great...yippee

  4. Thanks for the tips guys!

    I adjusted the valves and the left intake and exhaust valve gaps were too big so I brought them into spec. I also checked the right sided valves and the exhast side was out some so I adjusted that as well. The right intake was at the high end of the spectrum so I made it a bit tighter. Now the bike fires up after a few cranks and no longer backfires. The left seems to be warming up at the same rate as the right side. FANTASTIC!

    I drove the bike to my parents place about 180 miles away the other day and added a can of carborator cleaner to the gas that the local motorcycle inspection station recomended I use. After 30 minutes the carberator apeared to run a bit better and it must have clened out some of the jets because it was idling at 4,000 RPM even though I had adjusted it to 1500 previously. I readjusted it to 1200 RPM and it has idled much better ever since.

    glad to hear, well done

  5. Who here has made a cafe racer from there XS? Looking to do some cool stuff to my '78 400 and would love to see some inspirational pictures!!! I thought I saw a thread on here before, but maybe it was a different site.

    I like this one

    nicexs400.jpg

  6. thought I was nearly finished.................6 months later it was!

    keep going and make pretend engine noises whilst sitting on the bike, it helps a little

    drewpy

  7. I have a xs250se-does anyone know what purpose the balancer pipe that links the 2 exhausts is for & if this pipe was taken out & blanked off would it affect the running too much?

    XSIBLE

    I think it was for audilble purposes as the silencers are shorter than my model

    I have the same engine and have no balancer pipe.

    drewpy

  8. HELLO CAN ANY ONE HELP ME OUT I HAVE GOT A XS400 CHOPPER WITH A SAD LOOKING NARROW REAR TYRE (100x90x18) I DONT WANT TO GO STUPID BUT WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TYRE THAT WILL FIT WITH OUT TO MUCH BUGGERING ABOUT THE WHEEL SIZE IS 2.15X18 ANY INFO IS GOOD INFO THANKS

    The bigest size I have seen is 120x90x18 (on a spare wheel I had) but you fit it at your own violition and I am not recommending it per se!.

    I am running on 90/90/18 front and 110/90/18 rear

    btw writing in uppercase is considered rude, as you are shouting!!

  9. xs250 piston rings , were can they be bought ? (I will even get them online if need be) and for how much ?

    many thanks

    you will have to use european sites for 250's as they didn't have them in usa

    for standard rings

    http://www.cmsnl.com/searchparts_other.php...-01&make=YA

    £42.50 +vat and P+P

    I use Motoward as I get great service

    people have recommended granby's

    get yourself a parts book so you can give out part numbers, there have been a dearth of them on ebay at the moment £5 approx.

  10. thanks again for the help drewpy

    yeah i was the one with the carb problem

    but i think i almost fixed it

    after i reinstalled them the last time after i "fixed" them

    i didnt get a chance to try to start it for a couple days

    when i finally got a chance a couple days later, it started on one kick on a cold motor!!!

    it still had the problem though... my next steps are a carb sync, points/gap, valve adjustment

    but a friend pointed me in this direction, the petcock, fuel lines, air filters...

    so i figured id give it a try

    if i have anymore questions, ill ask as always

    THANK YOU AGAIN

    no problem

  11. Hey every one,

    I recently got my first motorcycle. It is a 1980 Yamaha XS400SG with 14,000 miles on it. I have a good amount of auto repair know how but carberator work/ motorcycles are new to me.

    The bike is very hard to start and requires lots of charging and cranking over under full choke. Once it does start it is only running off the Right cylinder. The left cylinder will only start to fire with lots of associated backfiring after being driven around for about 2-10 minutes. Once the left cylinder starts to fire and finally gets hot the bike runs great. It will even start right back up if stopped.

    It should be noted that my bike has the electronic ignition system (TCI)The air filters are completely dry rotted and most of the filter is missing. I ordered new filters but have not recieved them yet. The rubber boots between the carberators and the cylinders are pretty badly dry rotted and cracked. What are these called? I heard leaks here can cause problems so I want to get new ones. I also think I ran the engine with only one spark plug cap connected during my trouble shooting. I later read that this can damage the ignition coils. Thoughts?

    -Things I did-

    1: Replaced spark plugs with new NGK's

    I checked for spark and it looked rather weak on the old plugs. The left (problem side) was sparking from a wrong part of the plug (not the tip). I replaced both and it looked better but still a little weak.

    2: Gas was about one year old so I added a bunch of gas additives

    3: I removed carberator and fallowed the Haynes manual for the bike. Removed floats, pin, and filter for cleaning. Unscrewed main jet,pilot jet, and starter jet for cleaning. Also removed carberator piston and needle for cleaning. I used compressed air to clean everything. I blew air down all the ports and air apeared to blow through everything ok. I have to admit, the space between the carberator housing and the butter fly valves did not look the same for the two carberators so I adjusted them until they looked closer. I hope I did not mess up the syncronization of the carbs. The bike ran better once it got hot but the starting problem was not fixed.

    Please help me on this one. I am at a loss. Thanks!

    check ignition timing, valves adjustment and change your petrol (gas). if still not right do a search for carb xs400 as I have replied numerous time to this.

    Drewpy

  12. Hi,

    thought you had the carbs sussed!

    1) the petcock has one supply from the bottom outlet going to the left carb

    2) the connector at the back of the petcock goes up underside of the tank and to the right intake. this is the vaccum to operate the flow of petrol (gas)

    3) there is a pipe link between the two carbs at the back, just above the float bowls, it also acts like a support between the two carbs so could be misconstrued as such, but is in fact the supply to the right carb.

    there's lovely for you!!

  13. I have just put my xs400 back together and the problem I thought I would have solved by cleaning the carb is still there.

    What is happening is that from idle to about 3500rpm to 4000rpm it has no power whats so ever and once it pass 4000rpm it is fine. None of the jets where plugged or damaged. The bike idles pretty well but I cannot figure this one out. Does anyone have any suggests?

    Thanks inadvance.

    Stu

    your pilot system is blocked or way out of adjustment.

    mains take over around 4k, i had to have mine ultrasonic cleaned in the end

  14. Just wandering if anyone knows, I need to source some parts for my '79 xs250 but that is proving quite difficult. Mainly i need a right hand exhaust (just the end can) but i cant find one anywhere. Parts for the 400 are easier to find, i was just wandering will the parts (exhaust) off a 400 fit my 250 and will it alter the power dramatically (good or bad). If anyone can help me that will be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers in advance,

    Chris

    OEM exhausts? forget it I had to buy a 3n6 version (nearly the last one in the world!!). the only way to go is sito, there is a distributor

    http://www.vyxxn.co.uk/ need to email them for prices and availability.

    I use motoward, cmsnl, speed sport, bike bandit, pgm (really RD aircooled but the 400D shares a lot of stuff)

    400 is the same as 250 except for smaller bores and carbs and associated parts. get a parts book from ebay and that will help you identify the commonality.

    if you do find a new right oem exhaust (1U4) let me know

  15. Thanks for the replies fellas. So, i want as little wiring as possible, but what do i need to run the bike without a battery? I will need to wire the regulator from the alternator and use the condenser right? I will not be using the wiring harness anymore, I will be making my own because there will not be alot to wire up and i will be running some of it internal. Thanks again

    the charging system needs a 12v supply to work.

    here is a wiring diagram

    xs400D_circuit_diagram.jpg

    could try this

    http://www.zeeltronic.com/page/bat_elim.php

    let me know if it works

  16. Hello all, new to the site. Just wondering if any of you nice folks here could help me out. I am building a cafe racer out of a 77 xs400 and wondered if anyone could help me out with wiring it up for kick only application. I have all of the stock components, and the bike runs well using them. Anyone got some diagrams or suggestions? Thanks in advance!

    Take out the starter motor and chain (saves a few LBS) as the xs already has kick start, you don't really need to do anything else!

    If you're really finicky you can take off the starter solinoid from under the seat. As Merv said you coud use an rd right hand switch gear and polish up the casings as they are alloy!!

  17. hello all ... new on here .. bought my g/f an rxs100 to learn on. Just need to know what the correct tyre pressures should be for a 1988 model ... thanx in advance

    depends on what tyres you have, manufacturers recommend different psi to standard

  18. the pilot system affects the lower rev range to 4k 'ish and the mains take over.

    The galleries in the carbs are very small and even after i cleaned them they were still blocked. that is why i ended up sending them away to be cleaned.

    the reving you encounter is a weak mixture in the pilot system, but any tweaking of the screw will not overcome the reving. BTW its 1.5 turns from the bottom.

    Another fault i have found is the pilot screws snapping off at the bottom due to wear of the brass and hamfisted tighteneing (an interference fit into a conical seat) you can check by completely removing the pilot screws and they should have a really fine needle on the end, if they are "dumpy" ie rounded then the end has snapped off, this has happened on both sets of carbs i have had!

    the float height is very important:-

    yamaha say 26.6 +/- 2.5mm

    using a venier caliper, measure the distance of float arm from the top of the float chamber gasket seat (no gasket) to the top of the float. (the float should be resting on, but not depressing the spring loaded inlet needle)

    bend the tang to achieve level amont

    both right and left floats have to read the same.

    Drewpy

  19. Hi folks!

    I've found a nice old XS360 for sale, but it does need some work on it. Doing the work doesn't stress me but, am I going to be able to get the bits? And, if I can get them, will the price give me heart failure! :lol:

    I know it will need mufflers and pipes and a seat. I suspect it will also benefit from a rebore and top end overhaul, so getting oversized pistons, rings and gudgeon pins is likely. Add valve cotters, timing chain and gasket set to that list too. :)

    Anything specific I should watch out for with a 360?

    I expect it will also need new tyres soon. Any ideas on what suits it best? Best, IMHO, is that which sticks to the road like glue!

    genuine exhausts are almost unobtainable now, but sito are available as well as motad 2 in 1's and MAC in usa.

    Need to check out cmsl.com for parts and speed sport in usa! as I am not too sure regarding the 360 (might be able to use 400 pistons etc.

    best tyres are BT45's, the rd boys swear by them.

    drewpy

  20. I just replaced the two boots from the motor to the carbs. They were severly cracked. I thought that was the problem. I'll clean out everything I can tonight and check that out. It ran great except for a clicking noise in the carb area last year. When the choke is on it doesn't make the noise. Once it is warm and the choke is off it barely runs. Thanks for your in put.

    sounds like a blockage, do you use an inline petrol filter?

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