Same seller is selling a set of exhausts too but wont ship to the UK......I guess I just have to bide my time

So front end is now pretty much stripped....once i have the engine out I can remove the wheels as I wont need to keep moving it out of the way of the other bikes.

The thing that I am finding a little overwhelming is the prospect of having to re-install the wiring loom as it all looks a pretty tight fit.....any advice on that point is welcome....

I got an official Yam manual and It has the routing on it.

I also have an NOS Motad 2 in 1

Take lots of photos before you dismantle anything they'll be invaluable later down the line when you cant remember what went where. Als use those sealed polythene bags, they come in lots of sizes as you know and are great for keeping various related parts together and identified

Take lots of photos before you dismantle anything they'll be invaluable later down the line when you cant remember what went where. Als use those sealed polythene bags, they come in lots of sizes as you know and are great for keeping various related parts together and identified

I concur

Excellent Drewpy thanks very much.....perhaps I can get a physical photocopy of that at some point....save dragging the computer out into the garage.....

I reckon I'll have the engine out tomorrow.....then the fun begins....

Sorry to hear he won't ship to uk, I get a lot of parts from Germany on ebay. most sellers will post once you contact them.

its worth keeping a eye on other ebay site's. I get more from abroad than here

Excellent Drewpy thanks very much.....perhaps I can get a physical photocopy of that at some point....save dragging the computer out into the garage.....

I reckon I'll have the engine out tomorrow.....then the fun begins....

there are devices called printers, they produce a great facsimile of a picture on your computer

This is off the later model but its a bargain http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XS400SE-XS400-SE-1981-Clocks-Speedo-MPH-Tacho-RPM-Dials-Instruments-/271634115502?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&clk_rvr_id=720406862083

So tonight's excursion into the garage saw the battery box removed and I am pleased to say it is in sound condition. The front half of the rear mudguard and various electrical items. The engine will be drained of oil/sludge/solids tomorrow and removed from the bike.

Like following your project Unk.

Keep the updates coming.

I dunno, this forum can lead to some dark places, just ask obrien about his wonky feet!

The only dark place on this forum is the mind of the Foamy one[emoji12]

Cracking day in the garage and enjoying the strangely mild autumnal weather. Managed to get a load done. It was amazing how all of a sudden, after feeling like I had hit a plateau, it all came together (or apart) so quickly. Before I knew it the engine was out, the wheels removed and the frame in a state of nakedness.

And so now the engine strip down begins....

engines are my fave part of resto.

lots of polishing to do on these or take the easier route and paint.

got a bit of spare gears etc

The cases come up nicely if you have the time to polish them. I like that bit too...!

So today the engine strip down got under way in earnest. Everything has gone pretty smoothly and I am pleasantly suprised so far by the condition of the components I have removed. I had a tough time getting the Alternator Rotor to leave the shaft but patience paid off in the end (well that and a little assistance from a motorcycle mechanic mate of mine called John Wynne)

The break down progressed well again once I had overcome that issue.....until I got to the dome shaped screw on the gear selector (one of four but two dome shaped)The Haynes manual warns that these are tight and that they may round off if you're not careful. They were tight. I used an impact driver on three and they came away without too much resistance....the fourth is a different matter. The block of wood I had used to prevent the engine moving had slipped and as I struck the driver the engine moved and the driver head spun in the screw.....rounding it....a few anglo saxon expletives later and I decided to call it a day and have another go tomorrow. Any idea's on how to overcome this would be well received....will using heat assist in the removal........help!!!!!!

A few pictures of today's progress

heat will help, sawing a slot for a flat blade screwdriver will help, at worst, drill the head off the screw and when the component is removed you can get a grip of the screw shaft with mole grips

I sometimes grasp the outer edge of the scew with those gland plier type wrenches and rock the screw back and forth to free it

Access is very limited mate......very limited.

heat will help but with limited access your going to struggle, have you got a pic of the bolt in question ?

if you can get a screwdriver in you may be able to get mole grips on there ...end-on ?

and tease it back and forth