SteelGunna

Thanks you very much. I have done some browsing before I posted anything, I just didn't go back really far. I will get to work on those suggestion as soon as I have a day off from work. Thank you. No, the inside of the gas tank isn't rusty at all. I know the intake manifold should be replaced asap, it does seem to be dry rotting. I've heard you can fill it with silicon as a temp fix....How long would this last before it became an issue? And @HoughMade Yeah you're right. It's much better of a size for me haha. My friend are all like 5'10 through 6'5 and they make this bike seem so tiny. The only reason it's even slightly a concern for me is I do alot of taxiing friends around lol. Again, thank you all for your time.

Hey guys, I'm new here. I bought an 81 XS400 Special off of craigslist a few weeks ago and been having a ball with it so far. Unfortunatly I'm rather short (5'3) and cannot flatfoot the bike. I wanted to know if anyone could give me ideas for lowering the bike anywhere from 1 inch to 2 and 1/2 inches? The shocks are already set at the lowest setting (the stock ones I believe) Also, I've noticed some issues I've had, and I'm just learning about mechanics so I don't know fully how to address them on my own without just taking it to a shop. But I really want to learn as I plan to keep this bike for quite a while. Here's what I've noticed... : If I get under 1/3 of a tank of gas (with plenty of fuel in the tank) I tend to have alot of stalling issues while idling. I'll pull up to a light or stop and it'll stutter a few times and die, and when I pull over, I still have plenty of gas in the tank. Also, The service manual I own for the bike says it is supposed to idle are 1200 RPM, but I cannot get the bike to start consistantly or idle consistantly without stalling. Right now it's sitting around 1450 or 1500. Thirdly, I was made aware of and oil leak before I bought the bike, and it seems to be getting a bit worse. Right above where the side stand goes down, there is the slightest oil leak...and before I go taking things apart I thought I'd ask for some direction. lol And lastly, electrical issues...The headlight is rather weak, I don't know if that is electrical or just the light itself. It's only useful while the highbeams are on, and that's only to light up roadsigns. The high beam indicator doesn't come on while the high beams are on. And my Speedometer backlight won't come on, while my tach's will. Makes night riding very difficult lol Thank you guys alot for anything you can come up with.