10mm_is_bestie
XS400 Member
Hello fellow XS'ers!
Having been a lurker for a long time before diving in on a 1981 XS400H, I'm grateful for all the information that's been shared on this site. I'm almost at the end of the tunnel (I hope) in terms of getting my project running, but the latest issue has me quite defeated, and any help is appreciated!
I picked up an XS400H for $300-some dollars from a guy who gave up half way through the dealio.
My current issue is that the bike just refuses to start. It's been converted to kickstart-only, but still retains a factory harness. Problem is that I've never heard it start, so I've had to start from the bottom.
In an effort to solve the issue, I've done the following:
I've done some prodding with a multimeter and ensured that the safety relay is being powered/grounded correctly. The starter solenoid is getting power from the handlebar switch.
The clutch released during the kicking and the bike is in neutral.
I do have "weak" spark on both plugs (by weak, I am just assuming so because I don't see blue when I test them for spark against the cylinder head). I attached a similar image of what they look like.
When I kick, I hear/feel the engine turning and a deep sound that sounds like a very brief combustion. However, the bike has not once started no matter how hard/how many times I've kicked it.
I've been chasing this problem for about a month, and I'm running out of things to check. I appreciate any and all help towards a solution. I figured it's finally time to put my issue on the forums! Have a good day, and thanks for bearing with my wall of text
PS: I will update as I continue to tinker. Been raining a few days, so I'm on a much needed break from the bike for now.
Having been a lurker for a long time before diving in on a 1981 XS400H, I'm grateful for all the information that's been shared on this site. I'm almost at the end of the tunnel (I hope) in terms of getting my project running, but the latest issue has me quite defeated, and any help is appreciated!
I picked up an XS400H for $300-some dollars from a guy who gave up half way through the dealio.
My current issue is that the bike just refuses to start. It's been converted to kickstart-only, but still retains a factory harness. Problem is that I've never heard it start, so I've had to start from the bottom.
In an effort to solve the issue, I've done the following:
- Checked compression: 120PSI with the engine cold
- Oil & Filter Change
- Adjusted valve clearance (0.04" Intake & 0.07" Exhaust)
- Set timing on pickup coil (12 o'clock @ LF)
- Checked both ignition coils: 4ohms and 9k-ish ohms on both coils
- Checked that the coils are wired to the correct side (Grey - Left & Orange - Right)
- Replaced coil wires & non-resistor spark cap
- New spark plugs (NGK BPR7ES)
- Tested stator by checking resistances- tested without issue
- New Lithium Battery (12A 12V, fully charged and hooked up to the bike it reads 13.8V)
- New solid state rectifier/regulator (3 Alternator Wires, positive & negative, and an alternator sense & ignition switch)
- New Mikuni VM carburetors
- Replaced fuse box with an ATO style fuse box (20A main and 3x 10A)
- Petcock rebuilt and set to ON (I've tried kicking it with the petcock set to PRI too)
- New factory-style ignition switch (EMGO replicate switch)
I've done some prodding with a multimeter and ensured that the safety relay is being powered/grounded correctly. The starter solenoid is getting power from the handlebar switch.
The clutch released during the kicking and the bike is in neutral.
I do have "weak" spark on both plugs (by weak, I am just assuming so because I don't see blue when I test them for spark against the cylinder head). I attached a similar image of what they look like.
When I kick, I hear/feel the engine turning and a deep sound that sounds like a very brief combustion. However, the bike has not once started no matter how hard/how many times I've kicked it.
I've been chasing this problem for about a month, and I'm running out of things to check. I appreciate any and all help towards a solution. I figured it's finally time to put my issue on the forums! Have a good day, and thanks for bearing with my wall of text
PS: I will update as I continue to tinker. Been raining a few days, so I'm on a much needed break from the bike for now.