Looks good
I think the H4 bulbs are plug and play. But not too sure as my two bikes have stock bulbs in them.
I think the H4 bulbs are plug and play. But not too sure as my two bikes have stock bulbs in them.
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'79 xs400 rough>reliable>cafe 'Scarlett'
- Thread starter jthiessen
- Start date
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- maintenance
Vigo The Carpathian
XS400 Enthusiast
Apologies for bumping this...I sent a PM as well. Did you run into any issues after narrowing the frame due to the rear suspension mounting at a slightly inward angle with regards to the top mount being in a different location?
jthiessen
XS400 Addict
I haven't yet noticed anything. But is haven't rode it either so I can't say for sure with weight on it.
There was another XS400 that did the same thing...I think SpinCycle did it? They had no issues that I heard of.
Vigo The Carpathian
XS400 Enthusiast
Thanks! Yea, I tried getting an answer out of Spin Cycle but I hadn't heard back.
jthiessen
XS400 Addict
So a quick update as I am running out the door...
Had a very productive day. She runs!! I got to drive my bike for the 2nd time since driving it home after buying it.
I will do a more in-depth recap later but for now a few quick things.
1. There is fuel in the vacuum line of the petcock. Bad right?
2. How do I adjust the idle mixture screws the 3 turns when they have those plastic caps on them?
3. My headlight wasn't on at all. Haven't had a lot of time to diagnose the problem, but where is the best place to start?
4. Very excited!
Thank you for all the help fellow XS'ers! Long live the forum!
Had a very productive day. She runs!! I got to drive my bike for the 2nd time since driving it home after buying it.
I will do a more in-depth recap later but for now a few quick things.
1. There is fuel in the vacuum line of the petcock. Bad right?
2. How do I adjust the idle mixture screws the 3 turns when they have those plastic caps on them?
3. My headlight wasn't on at all. Haven't had a lot of time to diagnose the problem, but where is the best place to start?
4. Very excited!
Thank you for all the help fellow XS'ers! Long live the forum!
DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR
XS400 Addict
1. Yes, sounds like a hole in the diaphragm
2. pop the caps off
3. the fuse box, headlight relay, the bulb
2. pop the caps off
3. the fuse box, headlight relay, the bulb
jthiessen
XS400 Addict
Drove it some more yesterday!
Found the rear brake not giving me any stopping power so I took a look:
Does something look not quite right here? Shouldn't there be a rubber gasket of some sort?
Diaphragm of the petcock? If I press on the control that switches between Prime, On and Res it spills fuel out everywhere. I'm assuming that is not normal either.
The piston is missing the dust boot and the piston looks to have a lot of rust on it. Sounds like your petcock need to be rebuilt.
DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR
XS400 Addict
What he said!!
jthiessen
XS400 Addict
So would the best course of action be to clean it up real good and install a calliper rebuild kit?
If the piston is not too badly pitted (some pitting is OK), that's what I would do...er...did.
If you have pitting in the travel area of the seal you will need to got another piston. Yes, I would get a rebuild kit for it. With brakes there are no cutting corners
SteveBeyer
XS400 Member
I have the same signals. Can you tell me how you wired them? Not looking at them right now but I believe they come with one black and one white wire per light correct?
jthiessen
XS400 Addict
I will take a look at this next time I'm at my bike!
SteveBeyer
XS400 Member
All good. I got them hooked up. Thanks
jthiessen
XS400 Addict
Bit of a long post, but I would love some valuable insight!
Seeing as how I haven't ridden a motorcycle before this one, I asked a more experienced friend to take it for a longer ride and give me a debrief. A few things I noticed and he mentioned:
1. He is a bit heavier than me, but still, I think I want stiffer and/or longer rear shocks. The ride feels a bit mushy on the rear. While he was riding he hit a bit of a bump and the rear wheel grazed a cross beam under my seat!
2. He said the valves sounded out. I told him that I set them to spec just before riding. Then I remembered that the PO had said that his valves went out of spec fast as well. Is there something that would cause this?
3. He also said he heard a high pitched whirring sound coming from the front. No idea what that would be, I will need time to explore.
4. He said that the rear brake worked decently (which is good). Obviously they provide 1/3 the stopping power the front does, but when I was driving I felt it should be doing more (but again, I'm unexperienced).
Aside from the above issues, I still need to:
1. Check the headlight issue. Bulb is fine, fuse is fine. The headlight comes on for a while, but I noticed it was off when my friend was driving it.
2. (maybe a stupid question) how mandatory is it that I rejet the carbs when I'm using pods on the H-stack? I would love to wait till next season when I replace the exhaust and maybe put the pods directly on the carbs.
3. Calliper rebuild.
4. Petcock rebuild. I bought a petcock rebuild from Parts-n-more but it really felt like it was for the wrong bike. I emailed and asked if they sent the wrong one, but the insisted. I was thinking I might replace it with a non-vacuum?
Seeing as how I haven't ridden a motorcycle before this one, I asked a more experienced friend to take it for a longer ride and give me a debrief. A few things I noticed and he mentioned:
1. He is a bit heavier than me, but still, I think I want stiffer and/or longer rear shocks. The ride feels a bit mushy on the rear. While he was riding he hit a bit of a bump and the rear wheel grazed a cross beam under my seat!
2. He said the valves sounded out. I told him that I set them to spec just before riding. Then I remembered that the PO had said that his valves went out of spec fast as well. Is there something that would cause this?
3. He also said he heard a high pitched whirring sound coming from the front. No idea what that would be, I will need time to explore.
4. He said that the rear brake worked decently (which is good). Obviously they provide 1/3 the stopping power the front does, but when I was driving I felt it should be doing more (but again, I'm unexperienced).
Aside from the above issues, I still need to:
1. Check the headlight issue. Bulb is fine, fuse is fine. The headlight comes on for a while, but I noticed it was off when my friend was driving it.
2. (maybe a stupid question) how mandatory is it that I rejet the carbs when I'm using pods on the H-stack? I would love to wait till next season when I replace the exhaust and maybe put the pods directly on the carbs.
3. Calliper rebuild.
4. Petcock rebuild. I bought a petcock rebuild from Parts-n-more but it really felt like it was for the wrong bike. I emailed and asked if they sent the wrong one, but the insisted. I was thinking I might replace it with a non-vacuum?
1. Check the charging system and headlight relay.
2. Nothing is mandatory! But if you install pods and don't adjust the fueling, you may do major engine damage like overheating, burned exhaust valves, or melted pistons. Pods directly on the carbs can be a nightmare - keep the H-pipe!
3. Brakes are critical, don't put this off if it needs attention.
4. Vacuum operated petcocks are great when they are working properly, I wouldn't want a street bike without one.
2. Nothing is mandatory! But if you install pods and don't adjust the fueling, you may do major engine damage like overheating, burned exhaust valves, or melted pistons. Pods directly on the carbs can be a nightmare - keep the H-pipe!
3. Brakes are critical, don't put this off if it needs attention.
4. Vacuum operated petcocks are great when they are working properly, I wouldn't want a street bike without one.
Last edited:
jthiessen
XS400 Addict
Okay well, here is the age-old question. I have never rejetted before, using pods on the H-pipe with stock exhaust, where would be a good place to start? And any sage-like advice on how to do it properly would be appreciated!
unitedhow
XS400 Addict
I've been thinking about doing something similar down the line and have read that these jet kits from sigma6 on ebay work really well.
http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=251539423818
(For the record I have no affiliation with them and have not used them myself but it might be the route I go when I do)
http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=251539423818
(For the record I have no affiliation with them and have not used them myself but it might be the route I go when I do)
