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  1. avemachina

    Problem finding clutch rod seal

    My best source for this has been Yambits (they're located in the UK so shipping is kind of expensive, but I get my stuff to Texas in like three days). Since the shipping's so pricey I usually buy a pair of them in case I goof it, and throw in a t-shirt. These are the right fit for the 4R5...
  2. avemachina

    Sticky tach and speedo.

    I had a similar problem with my speedo. First things first, make sure the cable is lubricated and can spin freely at both ends. An easy way to check if the speedo works is to disconnect it from the wheel side, put the pokey-outey part in a power drill, and see if anything moves (most drills only...
  3. avemachina

    Diagnostic help: can't figure out what my spark plugs are telling me.

    Well! That took longer than needed, but I've got an update--the hanging rev is gone 🥳 Throttle is finally listening to me. I don't know whether to attribute the resolution to the new float needles or the hoses, but it's one of them. For posterity, I used float valves sized for an '85 Maxim...
  4. avemachina

    Carb slide does not go back down

    Hey friend! I bet you can find a used slide spring for a Mikuni BS34 carburetor on ebay--they were used in XS650, XJ900, and FJ1100s as well as XS400s, so not that rare--approximately the same length as one of your existing springs. That way they'll be the same length and both cylinders will...
  5. avemachina

    DIY/Modded Stubby H-Pipe

    I've found my people! Been doing similar experiments with my own bike--mostly because even a used H-pipe is going to be about 40 years old, I've been trying to find ways to replicate the OEM hose. Some of the things I've tried are silicone intake hoses (for intercoolers; you can get 55mm-45mm...
  6. avemachina

    What did you do with your XS today?

    Wow, glad you're OK! You've inspired me to keep an extra lever with me; I've got the drum brake too, that's just a good idea.
  7. avemachina

    Diagnostic help: can't figure out what my spark plugs are telling me.

    Well! Big day for me--I replaced my float needles and valves, replaced my airbox grommets and intake hoses with 3D-printed ones I designed myself, resynced the carbs, adjusted my air-fuel mix--basically tried to eliminate any potential air leak sources. After that, I didn't see any fuel in the...
  8. avemachina

    The 3D Printed Parts Thread

    One more from me--an airbox grommet: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7026481 I updated the geometry of the air intake hose, printed a pair (as well as the above grommet), and they're now live on my bike :).
  9. avemachina

    18" rear wheel ??

    Good luck, hope you find the right shoes for it!
  10. avemachina

    18" rear wheel ??

    It looks a lot like an SR400 or SR500 wheel, and they did come with drum brakes in some years. This eBay listing has one that seems comparable; yours might have been powdercoated.
  11. avemachina

    Another Day of Troubleshooting

    Well, a few things: 1) Could be your flasher relay stuck closed, as you suspect, so try the replacement when it arrives. 2) Is your wiring stock? If not, like if you replaced the fuse block or whatever, make sure the wires are going to the right place. 3) Are you using incandescent bulbs...
  12. avemachina

    Diagnostic help: can't figure out what my spark plugs are telling me.

    I don't suspect it; I have a manual petcock and both vacuum ports are normally capped off. The petcock connects only to the carburetors directly.
  13. avemachina

    Diagnostic help: can't figure out what my spark plugs are telling me.

    Just checking in, I'm still working on fixing this. One thing I noticed is that when I get it running, I'll pop the vacuum port caps off and find a bit of fuel in there, even though I've got the carb float level set at ~4mm from the top of the bowl (using the tube check method). I also found...
  14. avemachina

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    JohnP's got great advice. My Spinning Wheel of Death is more of a brute-force, still-on-the bike way to do it. Do as he does, not as I do! Mother's really is incredible stuff, I've gotten near-mirror shine on some of the parts I've used it on.
  15. avemachina

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    It looked pretty gunky before, and I tried hand-polishing with Mother's Mag/Aluminum Polish (usually my fave) but it was such a slow process, I just slapped a brass wire wheel (or steel? it's been a minute, I feel like it was probably brass) on my angle grinder and let 'er rip. I tried the easy...
  16. avemachina

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    Thank you! It's a repaint; it was originally Catalina Blue but I just really hated it. The new color is just rattlecan Duplicolor with some 2K epoxy clearcoat.
  17. avemachina

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    I've got gaiters on my bike too, and Emgo KZ bars. The ergonomics are perfect for me (but I'm 5'6 and have the short-arm long-leg power combo going) and it looks pretty sharp. I changed the mirrors and some of the luggage since this photo, but you get the idea.
  18. avemachina

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    Nice job on getting all the fork parts freshened up! The top of the forks are a nightmare; mine needed new springs and I had to get them in a vise and use a jaw puller against it to get the circlips back in. Totally worth it, but they better not need to be replaced anytime soon.
  19. avemachina

    GUIDE,STR CHAIN 1L9-15591-00-00

    If you are able to scan it, please do! I've started a collection on Thingiverse for XS400 parts that are hard to find, that can be 3D printed.
  20. avemachina

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    The other things to double-check is to make sure the vacuum hose is secured/has a good seal to the intake boot, and that the other side is capped off. Also the gas cap seal--see if anything changes if you leave the gas cap open.
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