bralkan

Well I backed the fuel mix screws out and the bike will come back down from 4k, although a little slowly. Sometimes better, sometimes worse. Should I consider taking the carbs apart to clean and check floats, etc? Or just mess with the mix screws some more? The bike's lower powerband is muuuuuccchh better now. No need to be at 4k to pull from a stop.

Makes much more sense. I will check it out again this weekend.

I know I've seen this issue brought up in other threads, but I'm at a loss. I have the "hang at 4k" problem. I understand this is because the mix is too lean? Yesterday I went out and checked the pilot jets and they are screwed in all the way to a gentle seat and it still hangs. I have checked the boots and as far as I can tell there is no air leak. Do I need to change pilot jets? Re-clean?

Apparently this bolt broke off. Apparently its just screwed in? Any suggestions on how to get this out? Which way does it turn?

Can you get it running by bump starting it? What is the voltage across the terminals? You may want to disconnect the starter if you think its drawing current or something.

Is the cam sprocket not detachable from the camshaft? (giving you space to disengage the chain without breaking it).

SG? Its the Heritage Special, economy model.

I have a xs400, 1980 - anyone have any luck getting bags on these? Has anyone seen a luggage rack / sissy bar made for this year? I have seen them for the 79 and previous models....

Check ebay and craigslist. On craigslist, look for part bikes around the country and see if they will mail you the headlight. I picked up one for $20. Also, on Ebay someone sells replacement units that are not sealed. Thus, when the bulb dies again you can go buy an off-the-shelf H3 bulb for 8 bucks or whatever.

Alright, I have an XS750 that appears to have a short? Whenever I turn the key to on or standby I get 0 power across the terminals. With it off, I have power.... other than looking at the entire loom, any suggestions at were to start?

AFAIK the oil drain bolt is on the bottom of the crankcase, on the...right? side? It’s a giant bolt on the bottom that will be parallel with the ground.

starter - probably starter solenoid. For headlight - engine does have to run. If the bike is on and you don't have a headlight, it could be the relay (under the tank, under the ignition coils. Attached with a rubber sleeve to the frame). You could also have a charging problem.

What do you mean it surges high? Does it hang at around 4k RPMs or is the experience different? These bikes have to have a the correct battery voltage to create the charge necessary for the stator and field coil to generate the correct (higher) voltage for running the bike. You may have a charging problem (your battery not recharging when running) or your battery just isn't holding a charge and needs to be replaced. Some bikes will run with a dead battery, but the charging system in these XSs requires a good battery (as far as I know its all XSs). Ebay is generally the best place to find parts for the bike. Some of the parts are interchangeable, but I am not sure if the cable lengths are the same. I would think they should work.

Oops, slip there. Ya, they are parallel! Not vertical like those stinky American bikes!

Should be an XJ550; AFAIK unless its 750,850,or 1100 all XSs are V-Twin a

Try and look for some xs750 specific websites. I seem to remember reading that there was something funny about the spacing of the tranny that would make 2nd gear pop.

It will depend on your valve compressor. If you have a C-Clamp type compressor, the whole head has to come off (one end on the valve and one on the spring cap) and so the gasket has to be replaced. On the XS400, the head cover is only sealed with liquid gasket and there is no paper gasket to replace. You will need to see if the cover on yours has a gasket or not. I have seen valve compressors that can attach solely to the valve cap and allow you to remove the collets without separating the head from the rest of the topend.. I havn't used one of these though, but if you give it a try let us know how it works!

I, from my limited experience, would say its either piston rings or valve seals. Since seals are a bit easier, I'd start there...but while you have the head off, you might as well look for scoring on the piston walls. You have to replace the head gasket anyways. I'd check the gap on the one plug, a gap tool is like 98 cents at autozone or whatever. Was the blackened plug all black, or was there any grey area at the tip?

Probably need to recondition or replace your starter. I doubt it is solenoid, but you could test it by hooking the starter directly to the battery (by-passing the solenoid).

Just give it a shot and see.

Some of the 650 parts work, at mikesxs.com Oldbikebarn.com isn't bad, though a little pricey. really, the best is ebay.

Basically, you use a large jewelery cleaner. They have some made specifically for carbs, but they are expensive. I think Drewpy recommended this one; http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/58_5123.htm

Its not quite the right thread, but I don't want to start another - anyone have an idea why the neutral indicator would stay on and not turn off?

If the bulb isn't dead, check the relay in between the Headlight and the battery. Sometimes they do go bad - you can wire the light direct (bypassing the relay) to test.

no motor = no running lights