derelicte

Sorry to threadjack but do the squeaking brakes indicate worn pads? I know that most pads on newer cars will squeak once they reach a certain level of wear, but was wondering if this applies to older bikes like the xs400. The front brakes on mine squeak a lot.

Looks great man, what did you do for bars? Seat looks good and Im not usually a fan

Not naggy at all, considering you went through the trouble to post up the tip... I'll be honest though I hadn't yet tried cleaning the spare flasher unit. The hit and miss nature of the signals (maybe once on a ride they would come on for a turn) made me think it was the handlebar mounted signal switch. I used a product called Deoxit (a contact cleaner) a year back to fix up the pots on a vintage stereo receiver I bought. Its basically an electrical contact cleaner. With the battery disconnected I sprayed a few shots of that in there and worked the switch back and forth a few hundred times. Let that sit overnight and the next day the signals were working 100%. I checked the bulbs as described and do think they were all replacements - they weren't clearly labelled but I think they are 32 watt sylvanias instead of the 27. The deoxit cleared up my problem though before I went to the dealer to get some replacements, so they'll stay for now. Thanks everybody for the tips. If anyone is having trouble with their signals I'd try the switch first before trying to replace their flasher. good luck jeffrich

We might have a volt meter lying around somewhere but for now I tried hooking up to some jumper cables and the signals still didn't work. Im going to hope faulty flasher, will post up with the results after I get another replacement.

Gordo - the unit I replaced was indeed the flasher... New one did not click at all, while the old one (back on) will click once. My manual says that hearing only one click is commonly a failed flasher, but could I make sure its not just low voltage (my battery is iffy) by hooking up the battery to my car with some jumper cables and then trying the signals? TIA

Went out on my first ride today... About half an hour in a parking lot and then some back country roads back home, was a blast. Before I left, the guy who did the work gave me a new relay (the metal "can", 3 pronged; is this what you mean by flasher or is that a different part?). It was untested but he said what the hell. Installed it and it did not fix the problem. It didn't make a clicking noise at all when turning on the turn signal - the old one did click. Clearly the replacement I got is bad but do you think the old one might be faulty despite the fact it makes an audible click? Thanks again guys. I'll check out the bulbs tomorrow to see if any were replaced with incompatible bulbs.

Same problems with the engine on ... When I pick it up Ill start checking connections. Gordo do you think if the wiring is good its the actual signal switch (on the handlebars) or is there a relay that might be replaced?

My bike is finally about road ready after a new rear tire and inspection by a shop, but since I picked it up the turn signals have not been working correctly. Switched on (engine off) I can hear a relay click once when I move the signal lever left or right, but the most that has ever produced was an indicator that comes on solid, not blinking, or I just get no light at all. Usually no amber indicator on the center amber "idiot light" between the gauges but occasionally that will come on. I doubt anyone has messed with the wiring with this bike... Is there a fuse somewhere to check? Nothing under the seat is obviously blown. Thanks for any tips. Also would I be legal if I was riding for a time on a bike EQUIPPED with signals (as required by ohio law) and using hand signals? thanks again guys.

Will have it looked at when it goes in to have the new rear tire mounted and post up a new thread with an update from there. Until then it sits in the garage. Thanks all

After reading your reply to the xs500 post, sounds like im experiencing "total engine meltdown" lol. New rear tire is coming in soon and I will have it looked at when the bike is out having that installed for a secone opinion. If it needs serious work, I may have to sell locally. The oil light has never been on with the engine running, just after shutdownl; the loss of pressure would definitely make sense, excuse my ignorance on that one (the manual will come in by the time I sell this thing).

Definitely needs attention though? Still waiting on that manual to flip through for a few hours and get more of a feel for the bike, so I myself can't tell if this is a serious problem or not. Again, I bought it and it had a lot of gas in the oil, oil light came on after I shut it down that first night, and I've since changed the oil and filter expecting that to be related to the oil light and sounds from the top end. Nothing else messed with so far, and light still on after I ran and shut down the engine after the oil change.

God that is like nails on a chalkboard, sounds even worse on the video... Had the bike running only about as long as it took to shoot that fyi.

Haha sorry guys, I went to put it up immediately after and the upload failed, and had attempted a few times since before finally switching to a different website to host it. Here's the link; .

Started hard today, electric start wasn't doing it so I left it in the sun all day while at work, returned and still no luck on the electric start --> bump started (2nd gear... bad to make a habit of this?). Anyway started and ran like crap for a few minutes but seemed to level off and run stronger, maybe because I had the carbs out? I had to pull them to tighten a bolt that was sticking out about a quarter inch (sorry guys still no repair manual so I can't say exactly which bolt, but it held the carb "boot" to the engine). Basically my concern at this point is that scratchiness I'm still hearing after putting in some fresh 20w50. I'll have a video up in half an hour and hopefully a few of you experts can comment on it.

Scratch that second question, two, figured it out. Am still curious about that oil, though. At the very least Im sure another oil change will be due in short order to check on the oil and see if the problem is still occurring.

Both bolts removed. Oil came out, jet black and watery as hell and smelled STRONGLY of gas. Bike has 10xxx miles, so I doubt it's worn rings or anything like that, but Im too new to this stuff to have much of a guess. Like I said engine seemed to be running really well so I'm not sure what might have happened. Now for my second dumb question of the day... The new oil filter came with two o-rings, a large one for the filter cover and a smaller one. I didn't see this smaller o-ring on the old filter, so am wondering if this is necessary. Will hold off on this until I get an answer since google didn't turn up anything relevant - help appreciated. tia

Just bought the bike on craigslist about a week ago... Previous owner had claimed it was cold blooded, and it did take a while to start when I showed up to pick it up (he jump started it with his truck, no battery), but after topping off the old battery it came with and giving it a day on a trickle charger, it starts right up. Cold in my garage it took about half a second on the electric start to fire up and settle down to a smooth idle. I'm waiting on a Haynes manual still, so can't check this myself. First time I ran the bike it sounded kind of scratchy when running, around the top end of the engine. Oil light came on right when I shut the engine off and haven't attempted to run it since. Can post a vid clip if that would help. I can't see oil in the engine window when on the center stand but the dip stick is indicating full. Just want to change the oil first off, but don't know where the oil filter cover bolt and drain plug are located (this is my first bike). The xs400 manual posted here doesn't seem to match my engine - could someone locate the plugs for me (pics below)? Also the engine block says 2000cc oil capacity (2.1 quarts) but the online manual says 2.5. Finally what do I need to check for when inspecting the oil filter element? The yamaha dealer will be closed for memorial day weekend and I'm hoping I can get by for a few weeks on the old one. Thanks all