Hi everyone. I just got my title to a just purchased XS400H and joined the forum. What a great resource this place is! I have already availed myself of the posted Service Manuals and they are going to be invaluable – thanks to those that took the time to scan and post them.
My bike has suffered the indignities of living outside for quite some time and looks pretty sorry from the neglect:
However, there are some nuggets of gold under the sun bleached paint, rust, dirt and bird poop.
What I like about the bike -
I am not going to do a formal restoration, but more like a resuscitation. I plan on using the original parts where I can and replace only what doesn’t work. After that – ride it.
This is really going to be a winter-time project for me. I got the bike a bit early because I couldn’t pass it up. So right now I will only pull components off of the bike to prevent further deterioration and allow me to evaluate condition. Stuff like the tank, carburetors and electrical bits will be brought indoors right away. Other than that, I will keep it as a “roller” and tarp it until I can move it into my shed over the winter for the real fun to start on Trusty Rusty.
My bike has suffered the indignities of living outside for quite some time and looks pretty sorry from the neglect:
However, there are some nuggets of gold under the sun bleached paint, rust, dirt and bird poop.
What I like about the bike -
- It is pretty much all there and original. If I can believe the odometer it has been ridden just over 7000 miles.
- I have done a quick look over the electrical system and the loom is completely intact with all of the proper connectors per the electrical drawing. No one has hacked it up and there are no added “accessories.”
- Most likely no one has been in the engine as the factory anti-tamper plugs are still installed on the ignition pickup cover and over the carb pilot air screws.
- The engine kicks over freely and has compression.
- The frame is original – no one has chopped off any mounts or frame bits.
- The aluminum engine side covers have no scrapes or other road rash.
- The fuel tank is almost perfect outside with one small dent in the top.
- No keys. I will be pulling the ignition switch to get the code and have new ones made.
- A few key items are missing that I will have to source – center stand, headlight, mirrors, the seat latch rod and spring and associated lock (probably removed because of not having the keys).
- Pretty much all of the rubber components have perished (especially a big tear in one of the carb intake boots, both carb holders on the engine have big cracks, the rubber relay holders for the headlight and safety relay are torn, and the foam on the air filters have been reduced to powder).
- The instruments on the dash look to be DOA as the rubber seals are shot and water has surely reeked havoc inside.
- The fuse box is cracked and not usable.
- The front drum brake seems frozen.
- There is a lot of rusty and dirty stuff that will absorb countless hours of my life.
- Oh yeah, I really am not a fan of the buck horn bars and the king-and-queen seat (don’t worry, I won’t throw them in the dumpster!).
I am not going to do a formal restoration, but more like a resuscitation. I plan on using the original parts where I can and replace only what doesn’t work. After that – ride it.
This is really going to be a winter-time project for me. I got the bike a bit early because I couldn’t pass it up. So right now I will only pull components off of the bike to prevent further deterioration and allow me to evaluate condition. Stuff like the tank, carburetors and electrical bits will be brought indoors right away. Other than that, I will keep it as a “roller” and tarp it until I can move it into my shed over the winter for the real fun to start on Trusty Rusty.
.
