new guy with an XS400

Hey all,

I just purchased my first bike last night for $50. Not alot of paperwork, but I didn't expect much for $50

It also doesn't run yet. The previous owner said it wont spark (but does crank) and said it was most likely the ignitor. I think it might also be the coil, but I'll leave that to you experts The bike is also being stored at my friends house until i make some room down here at mine, so i cant always go out and get pics or details on a whim. *sigh*

I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about my bike? Its "supposed" to be a 1982 XS400, but I did some minute research and I'm hearing about "specials" and "maxims" and all that good stuff. I'm not sure about what my bike is or what specs it has. I looked at some maxims, and mine looks like one but I'm not entirely sure. I searched around this forum for "XS400" and it seems some of you guys have had em and like em. Any insight on these bikes would be much appreciated. Like I said, this is my first bike and I have a LOT to learn

The Frame # is 12R-01XXXX

If the last four digits are needed for deciphering, let me know and I'll add them.

Heres a few pics of the bike too, sorry they're from my phone





Thanks in advance for any help

 

Hi...
Fellow XS owner.. That is a Maxim.... closer to the XJ's than the other XS's...
The Monoshock under the seat gives it away.

They are a tough and great riding bike...
Click on the www button by my sig to see my rebuild page...
I have a manual if you have any questions as well

Looks like you have some work ahead of you, but a lot of parts are common and interchangeable,

 

+1 on a maxim. the tank shape and lack of front frame bar give it away.

Looks like its been choped on though. Rear turn signal is in an odd place, your brake light appears to be mounted to the subfender, not the stock plastic fender. Fun bike though!!

On a side note... I'll buy the "crash bar" from you. I've been looking for one.

 

Yep, XS400J maxim. I've got two of 'em. and lots of parts for sale too. I got blinkers if ya need 'em. PM me.

 

oh and check the boots that go on the plugs...mine were crap...get new ones at Advance Auto or similar...much cheaper than MC shops.

 

Yep, thats an XS400 and you have come to the right place! 'Ghost and 'Shake are a wealth of knowledge. Good luck and savor the journey!

 

I've never been called a "wealth of knowledge" before... thanks!

 

Thanks guys for the tips and the welcomes!

Ghost, your page was one of the things that I saw when I was searching around for XS400 info in general.

As for those turn signals, they aren't mounted where they seem to be, they're kinda just dangling by the wire and the real brake light is in fact on the plastic fender, its just that when these pics were taken the stock fender was still in the truck

In the coming months I want to make this into a Bobber style bike so I'll be sure to let you know what stock parts are comin off. You guys can have first dibs on anything I take off, the rest goes to ebay

Shake, I'll let you know about the crash bars. The bike is at a friends ouse for storage until I clean out my garage. I'll take a look at it and decide if I like the crash bars enough to keep them or not. If they go, you're first in line

 

Awesome!! I keep missing auctions for them on ebay, and they arn't the same as the crash bars for the non-maxim xs400.

Let us know if you have any questions at all... I even have some spare parts laying around, so let me know!

 

Only parts I need ... clutch lever (mine got snapped in a black ice encounter at the end of last year) and a chain guard..... (maybe a master cylinder...depends on how the brake overhaul goes)

Will be ordering a new lever, grips and SS brake line from mikesxs (as soon as the brake lines are back in stock)

And Shake... I've never been called a wealth of information before either ... a wealth of useless facts..yes..... heh

 

Today was teardown day... kinda. Took off everything I didn't want lol.

Only problem I ran across was with the gas tank. From the start it sounded like there was sand in it. It also was locked, and the bike came with no keys. I used the prying end of a hammer and got it off, but i can't get all the crap from the inside of the tank out. The tank is a bit dented up anyways, I'm debating just getting a replacement unless anyone knows of a dirt cheap way to clean it out. In case I didn't make it apparent when i said "$50 bike" I'm building this bike on the ubercheap lol. I've sunk most of my cash into cars already, so this needs to be done affordably

Shake, PM me about the crash bars. I don't really know what they're worth but make me a reasonable offer and there all yours mate

Heres pics of the stuff

 

I too recieved a xs400j that needed help.

firest check all your connections from ignition to coils, get a new battery as well.

there are 2 relays under the seat they are mounted under the cross bar on rubbermounts. you will have to check them they shouold have at least 100 Ohms, These are the side stand relay and the starter circuit cutoff relay

also there is a diode in line under the seat check that as well to see if its good I replaced all 3 and got spark.

clean the carbs and tank too! you will not be disapointed

 

I did a cheapy method.....
Throw in a handfull of nuts and shake it like crazy...loosen up all the crap...
Rinse it with water (remove cap and petcock of course)
plug the petcock hole... and use a dilute phosphoric acid solution and let it sit for severl hours to overnight (depending on how much rust and how dilute a solution) ..... when you think it looks good, drain, flush with water, rinse with alcholol and either 1) fill tank (hard to do if it's going to be sitting for a bit) or 2) add some gass and 2 stroke oil to the takn and shake to cover the inside..... just keep shaking it to preven and rust from forming.

 

Muriatic Acid is supposed to be good to clean fuel as well.

I can vouch for the handfull of nuts trick... been there, done that!!

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'll take a look at the underseat bits next chance I get.

now regarding the tank... when you drop a few nuts in there, how on earth do you get them out? I was taking the gas cap off, and since I had no key i just pried it off, and a small part fell in before i could even see what it was. I've been shaking the thing around trying to get it out and have had no luck yet lol

The chemical bits all sound great, I'm just wondering how on earth to get these things out of there

also, my fuse box is pure garbage, the contact points are falling right off. I ordered a more modern one to replace it. I saw it in another thread here
http://wirewerksperformance.com/index.p ... 87ee7829ba

 

Hey 'Ghost, quick question for you. I noticed on your build page you now have your fairing installed. How do you like it? How is the wind protection? I'm thinking of getting a National Cycle Deflector DX for my bike. Any thoughts on how they might look on the XS400?

 

To get the nuts out:

Hold the tank with its back end down and shake to get the nuts to the bottom. Then roll the tank so the top/filler hole is down and shake the nuts over to the hole and out they come.

 

Mad .. pm replied ...

Fusebox...weatherproof inlines also work well...

Muriatric Acid (aka Hydrochloric, works fast, and will flash rust.... Phosphoric leaves a film of zinc oxide...less/slower flash rusting)

As fro the nuts...1 trick I read later (I used some gravel ....PITA!!!!)
tie the nuts to a string in a big line...then you can fish it out.,...

 

String sounds like a beautiful idea!

I've got another question regarding the frames of these bikes. How similar are they to the XS650s? I was surfing around and saw a slick XS650 hardtail conversion, the whole back end that you just weld on. I thought it'd be cool to use it on my bike, but I don't know how compatible they are. There are also universal kits I saw, but this would make it alot simpler

http://www.tcbroschoppers.com/id22.html

Yet another question is how many gears are in the gearbox? lol, i know it sounds dumb, but I havent ridden it yet, and I could only go as far as 4. I read in some palces online it was 5 or even 6 and I thought i might not be able to engage higher gears just because its not moving.

Thanks again guys! You're all way more helpful than google

 

Gears... there are 5 on the Maxim, and 6 on the Seca ...
pattern is 1-N-2-3-4-5

As for 650 compatablilty, we do share some with it, but the rear end is different... yhe 650 is dual external shock, we have the underseat monoshock... different swingarm assembly as well.... If you plan to redo the whole thing though..it may work.......

Remeber.,.if you plan to do any welding on the frame..remove the TDI and rectifier.... pricey to replace... can damage easily

 

Thanks ghost

As for welding the 650 hardtail on, I figure as long as the dimensions are the same on the frames until the point where the hardtail connects to the old fram, it would work. I just need to make sure the mounting points all line up. As long as the mounting points are in the right spots, theoretically the type of rear suspension shouldn't matter too much since either way the rear suspension would be removed anyhow. Does that make sense or are there any noticable flaws in my logic?

And thanks for the heads up on removing the TDI and rectifier. I was planning on taking the entire bike apart before I did the cutting and welding... IF I eventually go that route. that way I can paint the frame easily too

 

Makes sense...you may need to mod the existing frame to hold the new shocks..but if you're gonna be welding anyways

Only need to be sure of the distances from sprocket to wheel, or you'll need a new chain too

 

Shocks? I didn't think I needed those anymore after converting to a hardtail

 

The 1982 ( and 1983? ?) xs400j frame is not a complete frame like the x650 , in the xs400j The motor acts as the front part of the frame, upsetting only because i would have liked forward controls

 

Hmm that may complicate things. I might have to wait it out and just keep the suspension on this bike how it is now and get a hardtail later on..

I'll see what I can do. Haven't touched the bike in a few days because I've been repainting my Mustang. Just got the flat black on today, red stripes later on and some custom bumpers front and back

 

I am going to a friends house this afternoon to get a phone number, this guy sells frames and such i will get you the number as well.

 

Rough news...

It looks like I won't be fixing up and riding this bike after all. After thinking about it and doing some math, I've decided to part the bike out instead. Besides, the cost of getting the paperwork would be too much to be worth it at this point.

If theres any parts any of you guys want, shoot me a PM

 

Start a new thread in the for sale section

 

you guys are gonna kill me. I never got around to selling most of the bike parts, and the bike just sat in a pile of car and bike parts in my driveway until recently, when a friend bought a '68 Triumph chopper that hes fixing up.

That, coupled with a newfound need for a mechanical project (all my other ones got finished) and a new more expensive commute for school revitalized me desire to ride again. I finished taking the bike apart, and I've been reconditioning every part I could to reuse when I'm putting it back together.

I'm looking to build somewhat of a bobber style bike. I'm not too interested in going fast (though any tips for this motor wouldn't be unappreciated)

I haven't been around because I hadn't found myself asking any questions during the teardown and during the sanding/repainting of old parts. What I do want to know is how compatible my bike is with the XS650 bike. I saw a couple guys with XS650s putting an old fasioned springer style front end on their bikes, and that the 2" under DNA springer front ends fit pretty well on the XS650s.

If the XS650 has the same neck as the XS400J, I'd be able to do essentially the same thing. So does anyone know if the forks are interchangeable and if the necks are similar/same?

Thanks a bunch and sorry for all but abandoning this forum. It's been a busy and hectic few months

 

Let me know what ya find out, starting to dig into that info as well, need new for tubes soon I think,

 

In case anyone wanted to see the progress....






And I'll definitely post any new XS400J info I come across, or discover. Theres far to little out there for new discoveries not to be shared

 

any more pictures that size & I will have to swap my monitor for a plasma.

 

just a couple things I noticed as I am doing a complete custom XS400J right now too. You painted over the rubber grommets for the side covers and the ones behind the backbone which will make them very brittle and they probably should've been removed first. Same with the carb intake boots...other than that, nice job and your headers look great as do your top motor mount plates. Are you gonna hard strut the tail or use the shock? If ya want to hard tail it, I have a strut for it I'll sell ya. The PO of my new project was gonna use it but I want to save my back for my later years in life.

 

First, Sorry for the ginormous pics. I thought photobucket would resize them... I need to go change my settings

As for the rubber grommets, could you point them out? I thought I got everything off...

And I'll PM you about that hardtail strut

 

all grommets

 

oops, not the top one

 

im going to be putting the engine back in soon, and i was wondering if anyonw knew, offhand, what size bolts connect the motor mounts to the frame?

I have the motor mount to engine bolts, i just need the ones for the frame

Thanks!

 

i'll go look for ya...

 

bolt body is 10mm diameter and bolt itself is 5 inches from threaded tip to base of bolt head flange.

 

Spark plugs anyone?

I went to my local Kragen Autoparts to see if I could get spark plugs there, told them I had a 1982 Yamaha XS400J Maxim. They looked it up, said they'd order it and i'd have em in a day or so.

I just got around to picking them up today, and the spark plugs (autolite 4252) aren't even CLOSE to fitting!

Does anyone know the correct spark plug for my bike?

 

go to sparkplugs.com

 

Plugs are DR8ES-L NGK's
Gap is 0.6-0.7 mm OR 0.023-0.028"

Looking good so far, like the idea of painting the engine supports.... may adapt that idea

I need to fab up a chainguard to pass my inspection this time :/

 

I have the factory chainguard, and I probably won't be using it if you're interested. I'll try and find some pics for you by tomorrow, its dark out now

Thanks for the plug info btw :nice: I'm really hoping to hear this puppy turn over soon.

Here is the bike as it sits now. I painted the frame red, hardtailed it, removed the uneccessary bits of the frame that detracted from the hardtail look, and put the motor mostly in. I still need the upper bolts for the frame, pick those up sometime this week.







I'm getting close, I can feel it :twisted: hehehehe

 

what tank are you using...if the stocker, you removed the framerails that had the rear mount on it gonna need to mod to fit...a cheap solo spring seat will look nice on the hardtail strut

 

I'm still hunting around for a decent and affordable one, but ideally I'd like a sportster style tank. I also saw a couple tanks from older Indian dirt bikes that might have worked, but I didn't have the cash at the time.

And a springer solo seat is EXACTLY what I have in mind

 

Interested in the guard, need to fab up something by Saturday though....
depends how that project turns out..

NP on the plug info, sorry I didn't pop by the thread earlier.

 

just so you know too, a sporty tank will never fit over that monstrous backbone unless you chop and section it...stupid pressed backbones...ugh.

 

here is one done by a guy named hoopty388 on chopperfix.com...looks like this is what you are trying to accomplish.

 

That is... exactly what I'm trying to do. *drools*

But, It is not apparent to me that I can't use a sporty tank. I've been looking at some two piece tanks from the softail, I could bolt em to either side of the pressed frame somehow, and then put a trim piece in the center to cover the gap. Maybe even hide some of the wiring in there




Do you know what rear fender and handlebars he's using? They look pretty good too.

Also, an update on mine. I got some bolts for the upper mounts, and put the exhaust on today, as well as spraying a quick coat of red over the blackened areas that I had painted just to prevent rust. I'm using some krylon rust tough paint, so no real primer is needed. I used the same stuff on my Mustang and its been holdin up just fine

 

I definitely like the bobber from the XS400.
Hhhmmmmm.........