drewpy

I would contact a tyre manufacturer and ask them!

I chromed mine, don't try to get imperfections out let the chromers do it, as if the finish is not right they could blame you! here's mine

chain weekly and after rain use cables annually/3000miles i spray ACF (wd40 but better) on plastics (except side panels, rear seat and tank) carb bodies and any exposed alloy hinges etc annually steering bearings depends on tapered or original, usually 6000 miles

depends on your point of view, they are classics as in over 20yrs old, but how many do you see over there? if you can't remember seeing one then there's some kudos in owning one in your part of the world! mine always attracts attention where ever i park up.

I'll check mine in the winter strip down

I used silver hammerite on mine as it has rust inhibitors, must get most of the surface rust off though!!

its sohc, I've seen single disk and tls setups. I think they had pull back bars and other minor cosmetic differences. Bit of Yamarketing if you ask me!!

try here http://www.findyouroldmotor.com/

you could search the uk/ebay for parts or put a wanted ad in the forum! the german site is google translated and it works out at pidgen english but you get the gist of whats going on. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...hl%3Den%26lr%3D I also have the german ebay setup to email me for xs parts as they are avid xs400 fans and parts are cheaper there.

no problem running on unleaded as Yamaha designed for the american market which introduced unleaded circa 1970.

quick google brings up this; http://www.bikez.com/msgboard/msg.php?id=20490&type=bike looks like you up the main jet, or buy a malosi carb for £70. take out a cone in the exhaust and undo the tach to get to a rev limiter and cut the pink wire. Aparently these things can rev to 15000rpm (eek!) must admit they look good

or the rings are worn causing the crankcase pressure to rise forcing oil up.

had a look at a translated german site and it looks like you have to change the camshafts, intakes and CDI box.

on the sohc bikes the camshaft is different and they had extra fillet restricting the carb inlets which can be cut away. the carb jetting needs to be done after the mods to compensate for the extra air flow. possibly the same goes for your dohc model (45hp in uk)

according to this site http://auction.netbikes.com.au/vjmw.php?pa...p2axbbj27v1gba2 its a DT175C

I totally stripped the engine and frame. Used PJ1 yamaha silver paint on the engine cases, which were stripped to bare metal, then baked in the oven for an hour after painting. I replaced all bearings and seals and a few electrical items, the tank i got new from ebay and had it laquerd. the frame was powder coated and all the chrome items were redone using parts from ebay as chrome and english winters don't mix. the wheels were painted with PJ1 satin black as were the switchgear and other black items. It took 2 years to do but i did most of it myself buying tools as i went along. If you have any specific things you want to know just PM me and I'll be glad to help. I took pictures as i did the restoration.

I belive a honda superdream 250N lamp fits, never tried it myself though and i would consider reducing the rear lamps to 8 watts or so to compensate for the voltage drain or you may find that the charging system can't cope. (halogen 60/55 W) you may need to fit the H4 connector as well. if you want to have the proper reflector then try http://www.pgmyamaha.com/MOCOMMAINLIST%201.xls they have a kit for the RD's which should fit the XS, I would phone first as they are very helpful. I bought a gear change shaft marked for a rd400 and it fitted my XS (you can't get these from yam any more)

I'd book 10 mins on a dyno. that will give you your settings.

is it just electric starting on the button or kick/bump starting? If its generaly a bad starter, have you checked the ususal suspects? spark plug fuel - blocked fuel delivery. do you have an inline fuel filter, i always use one as after 1300 miles i can see rust flecks from the petol pump tankscaught in the filter! charged battery? does the bike smoke when it does start, as this could mean worn valve guides thus letting oil seep into the cyl head causing spark plug to foul.

try speed and sport (yamaha top dog) for parts in usa, they should have most parts for the bike. Are you sticking with it or cutting your losses? you said you like a challenge don't forget that yamaha use a parts bin for other bikes, so rd's and other xs parts may fit.

just goes to show, many a true word said in jest

why don't you buy 2" platform boots?............ only joking, i used www.rk-leighton.co.uk/ they fitted and supplied (by me)the seat cover, reformed some of the seat foam and repaired broken grips all for £30 inc return postage they are based in Burmingham!!

i just used a new o ring. don't over tighten the petcock screws

www.nrp-carbs.co.uk/ based in victoria station, rainy city uk