londez Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Last July I bought a bike from a guy off of craig's list. He said it was an 81, and the side panel read "400 special." Did a search on the internet and concluded that the model I had was an xs400 special. My dad went online and got me a shop manual for it (we're gonna have to fix the electric start at some point). The manual that he got me is a Haynes "YAMAHA xs250, 360, & 400 sohc Twins: 248cc~358cc~391cc. 1975 to 1984." The only 1981 391cc bike covered in the manual that also has "special" in the title is the "xs400 H Special II" so I assumed that that was the one I had. The bike on the cover looks like mine, but in the section on changing oil it says that you are supposed to use the dipstick on the filler cap. My bike does not have a dipstick on the filler, but instead uses a sight glass on the side of the engine for checking oil levels. Is my bike a different xs400 special than the one covered in the shop manual, or is this just something overlooked in the manual or some kind of customization done by one of the previous owners? I just assumed it wasn't important. I'm just a little worried cause I changed the oil with my pops yesterday and now my bike won't start. The book said that my bike used SAE 20w/50, so that's what we used. I first noticed the issue last night; it was forty degrees out but it always starts in this kind of whether on the first kick as long as I pull the choke out all the way. I tried it again about 30 min ago (it's 54 out) and no go. Honestly I think it's just an issue with the battery (had this prob a few weeks back, just charged the battery, althought the headlamp isn't as dim this time), but I wanted to make sure that I had the right manual and put the right oil in my bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator DirtyDT Posted October 19, 2009 Moderator Share Posted October 19, 2009 The first 3 digits of the frame number or a picture would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted October 19, 2009 Moderator Share Posted October 19, 2009 if you read the manual to the end there is a section for other variants. drewps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londez Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 Where do I look to find the frame number? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted October 20, 2009 Moderator Share Posted October 20, 2009 Where do I look to find the frame number? on the frame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted October 20, 2009 Moderator Share Posted October 20, 2009 its on the headstock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londez Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 Ha ha, very funny :-). 4R4-013489. Does that sound like number we are looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted October 20, 2009 Moderator Share Posted October 20, 2009 Ha ha, very funny :-). 4R4-013489. Does that sound like number we are looking for? XS400SH model you can get an offical manual. 20w 40 over 5'C is listed for that model drewps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londez Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 XS400SH model you can get an offical manual. 20w 40 over 5'C is listed for that model drewps Crap! I guess we got wrong the manual then. The one we have said to use SAE 20w 50 and we did. Is this going to be a big problem? PS: Sorry I haven't responded in so long, I've been occupied with fixing other things. I think there might be a gremlin hangin out in my house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londez Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Wait a second, the manual lists an XS400SH Heritage 1980-81. I'm confused. So is it the right manual? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts