Chicken

So yet more misadventures regarding my old faithful! I was out cruising around today and noticed that one of my fork seals is leaking. I'm a female but not totally helpless (i.e I can change the oil and perform most maintenance on my Blazer), but I have no idea how fork seals work on a bike and how to replace them. Is this an easy thing? Or shall I call my mechanic? The mechanic who did some work on this bike before was cool, but I can tell he doesn't think the bike is worth any effort. Help!!!

Hey Gnash! Our bikes look identical! I wasn't too sure about the handle bars on mine either but I guess they must be stock after all. I'll post an updated pic of my bike in a day or two. I'm still missing the left side cover and I haven't had much luck on eBay. I found one recently but the person is asking $80 for it!

By the way, here's a "before" picture. Note the weird seat with no grab bar and the taped on rear fairing. The fairing was taken off some other bike and taped on to the frame with two tree sticks as support. But hey...I got it for $500.

Hi all! I've been working on a '83 xs400. It seems to be mechanically sound now so I'm starting work on the cosmetic issues. The person who had it before me turned it into a major Franken-bike (I was appalled). I got most of the stock parts back on but the engine cases are really dull. The exhaust pipes also have a lot of rust so I'll probably just have to replace them at some point. Does anyone have experience with cleaning/polishing these old dull covers??

Hi Gnash! I love finds like that too. I bought by '83 xs400 for $500 and I love it. I ride it everyday! Before I bought my xs400 I bought a super cheap Honda CB650 Custom that I was going to try and restore. The gas tank was a rusty nightmare. I went to my local bike shop and bought a Kreem tank repair and seal kit. It cost me about $30. It's a bit messy and is kind of a pain in the a** but it works great. Just about any bike shop should have it. Good luck!

Yet another posting on my newly aquired 1983 xs400! I was riding the other day when I noticed that my front brake felt a bit "squishy". I also noticed that there was maybe a little bit of moisture around the brake near the front tire. I just checked the brake fluid and it's basically empty. I'm off to go but some more, but it seems I might have a leak. Is this common? What should I do?

Unfortunately I don't know much about cleaning/setting/adjusting carbs. Guess I should swing the bike by to see my mechanic. It's runs great, but seems to idle a bit high (approximately 1,800 rpm). Does it idle high because of the carb issue? Also, the title of the bike states it's an '83 but on the bike frame it says the bike was manufactured 5/82. Any thoughts?

Hi all! So here is yet another question about the bike I just aquired. I'm noticing some fuel leaking around the rubber parts around the carbs. I think these may be referred to as the carb intake boots. Is this a serious issue? The clamps that are closer to the engine seem tight. It's the parts that are closer to the rear of the bike that seem to be leaking a bit. Any suggestions?

Thanks Drewpy! You were right. There is a window there. So is the oil level ok as long as I can see fluid through that window??

Hi everyone, I bought an old Maxim that runs great. Just needed some TLC and cosmetic work. It's my first bike and has been quite a learning experience. My question is this...when I take the oil cap off shouldn't the dipstick be attached to the cap? There's nothing there so I'm a bit perplexed about how to check the oil. I don't have a manual. So I don't know quite how to change the oil either. I just want to make sure the oil doesn't get to low. Thanks in advance!

Thanks XS! So here's another question. My turn signals come on but the left signal does not blink at all and the right signal only blinks when it wants to. Any suggestions?

Hi there, I recently bought a 1983 Yamaha Maxim. It needs some minor cosmetic work but runs perfect! I was told by the guy I bought it from that it is an xs400. However the model description on the title states "rs". Did Yamaha make an rs? I'm trying to figure out what model I have for sure before I go and seek out parts. Thanks in advance!