bznchris

Thanks for the replies all. I've looked over a wiring diagram. Yes, '81 xs400s came with a cancel unit, but I'm having a hard time telling if the circuit will still be complete without the cancel in there. I'm leaning towards no, so I'll probably just connect all the wires to their matches in the connector and test her out!

Tapered roller bearings. Threw some in mine and the difference was unbelievable. You should be able to find model specific kits on ebay.

I don't doubt I could find one, one way or another. I'm just sick of buying replacement parts for this bike. Already spent well over what i paid for the bike just on parts. I just want to know if running without it is doable since I can't test it right now (redoing wiring).

triple tap hitting the "add reply" button half a dozen times while the server is frozen-bad idea.

double tap

still lookin for any input

*flasher cAncel sorry... Finally tracked down all the missing parts for the wiring harness - all but the turn signal cancel. Is this part necessary for blinker operation? Obviously I would have to cancel the signals manually, but would everything run if this was left out of the system. Would I have to bridge it's connecting wires?

found two original exhausts on ebay. '79 for $50, '80 for $80... http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=xs400+exhaust&_sacat=See-All-Categories can you weld? making your own is always fun!

Just a simple right-angle bracket bolted to the top brake shoe mount. I'm working on a better solution now. That pic was before I had turn signals on. When I bought it, there was a cheesy piece of aluminum holding the battery. I removed that, fitted the stock battery box, and put on stock side covers. If you made your own tail, you could hide your battery in it, provided it's a sealed battery. (mikesXS sells em) The shocks that were on it when I bought it were no-name shocks and very oversized. (14.5") They started leaking so I threw a pair of red wings on until I can find a reasonably priced pair of hagons. Kept the 14.5" length to ensure clearance of the tail since it ends at the highest point of the tire. Because of the fiberglass tail, the seat had to be customized. Fiberglass seat pan that I had upholstered.

Where to start with mods... haha... complete xs850 front end (where I got dual disks) xs850 tank tapered roller bearings in steering head bronze swingarm bushings raask rear sets fiberglass tail 2 into 1 exhaust pod filters oversized rear shocks 39 tooth rear sprocket clubman bars painted crankcase (soon to be unpainted) crappy diamond plate side covers (stock back on now) rear mc and disk from ??? ('78 xs400, I believe) many more small details This is how the bike looked last summer; like crap. It looks quite different now, but I don't have any current pics, and it will look even more different once it gets painted in a couple weeks. I will post new pics then...

Sure you can. You'll have to sand it down really well or etch it with acid and then apply an epoxy primer. be sure to degrease really well first. It might just be easier to get the chrome off though...

While we're on the subject of fiberglass seats, does anyone know if it's possible to modify a fiberglass tail provided I get the paint off and expose the fiberglass. I would like to add to it. sorry, don't mean to hijack...

One thread will probably do ya Have you tried the "xs400 links" sticky at the top of the forum? It has a bunch of manuals...

ebay is definitely your best bet. everything you need should be on there. I assume you're referring to oxidation on the aluminum bits? Don't know how to remove that, I haven't had to deal with that. Steel parts though- a good rust remover gel is your friend. And for keeping corrosion off EVERYTHING- ACF-50. Just google it. I agree with you on the boxy xs400 tank that I believe was standard in the UK. I really don't like that one. My tank came from an xs850, you may want to look into it.

You can throw on basically any turn signals you want, and you can find them all over the web. For the fender, not sure about any swaps, but you can chop it to your heart's content. If you're good with metal, that will help. For the cafe/bobber question, google "xs400 cafe racer", and "xs400 bobber" and look at some images. Modification for either isn't for the faint of heart, but if you're determined, it's easily doable. I have no experience with bobbers as I find them ugly, but for a cafe bike, you're looking at changing the tank, tail/seat, bars, and, well in my case, everything else. Before you go for the look though, I'd do some things to modernize the bike's performance: bronze swingarm bushings (mikesXS sells them for the xs650- they work for the xs400 too), tapered roller bearings for steering head, good rear shocks (Hagon is the preferred brand around here), and good rubber Anything can be adapted to fit with enough tinkering, even mike's cafe seats I would think.

For setting the float height, the service manual should be all you need. I downloaded it recently so I know it works. As for the petcock, all I'm going off of is my own experience. And seeing as the only stock thing on my bike anymore is the engine, I could very well have a different petcock than you. On mine, it's just a little nipple pointing to the rear.

For the leaky carb, float height could be off in that one. Info regarding that is in the manuals in the "xs400 links" thread. For the intake boots, one should be capped, the other is connected by hose to your fuel petcock. Not sure if it matters which is capped; on mine, the left is capped, right is connected.

don't thank me! i got all my info from drewps...

http://www.nwvcp.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/2/Yamaha.aspx http://www.cmsnl.com/yamaha-xs400sh-1981_model8826/partslist/

drewpy- ah well that explains a lot now doesn't it? I won't knock it 'till I try it though. Speedshop- Yup, no laquer for this bike. I actually stripped off a little paint from the old painted covers, turns out they were sandblasted before painting, and look really nice the way they are. I might go with them instead of the shiny new ones, as I prefer that matte luster to a polished "blingy" look. Still with plenty of acf50, of course.

hey drewpy, about the acf50- that's some serious stuff! is it fine for high heat areas like the head? and will it harm paint/rubber if I get a little on it? Edit: found my answer, stuff's harmless.

I was pretty set on the ACF50 route anyways, so that sealed the deal. I would think any paint in general would have a hard time sticking to polished aluminum.

good to know!

thanks drewps!

As the title says, just want to make sure the crankcase, heads and all covers but the starter motor cover are aluminum. Yes? So after sanding away blemishes I shouldn't have to worry about corrosion/painting.