XS400 clutch

I don't have a huge amount of bike experience, but the clutch on my XS seems not quite right. It grabs at the outer end of the travel of the lever. Most other bikes clutches grab closer to the middle.

Is this an indication of a worn clutch? Or is this simply out of adjustment?

 

Adjustment could be wrong. This can point to worn clutch, or stretched cable.

Manual has adjustment procedures.

Basically goes like this:

Turn adjuster nut on lever in to leave about 1/4" between the adjuster nut and the bracket. Then (if memory of the XS400 SECA serves me correct) there is a small rubber plug on the left side of the engine. This plug covers the clutch actuator mechanism.

The shaft has a phillips end, and there is an adjustment nut that needs to be loosened.

Loosen the nut while holding the shaft with screwdriver (it's tricky). You need the driver or else you'll actuate the clutch, depending on which way you're turning the nut.

after you have just cracked the nut, (lol) turn the shaft IN until you can just feel tension against the clutch release rod inside the engine cases.

Hold this position with the screwdriver and tighten the adjuster nut and replace rubber plug.

Move back to the clutch lever, and turn the adjustment out until slack (if any) is gone.

 

The XS400 Seca (YICS) was a different animal than the old, original SOHC XS400.

The clutches may or may not work the same. I'd check the fiche first: http://www.yamahapartshouse.net/pages/O ... ibrand=YAM

 

I have the Haynes manual. It's frelling awful. The clutch adjustment is described in a single paragraph without any explanation of what the terms mean or where any of the things they are talking about are located.

I hate consumer manuals.

 

Is there an XS forum that's not just XS1100?

 

There is XS400.com, but the guys here answer my questions better and faster.

 

Yep...

http://www.xs400.com/

They seem to have a lot of people there with the Heritage Special and the other SOHC 400's.

78' to about 82'.

Maybe they can help out.

 

From looking in the fiche; the clutch throwout mechanism is as described above. That being the case, ryanrules' answer is probably what you're looking for.

 

Especially when it comes to the DOHC xs400's....

 

Especially when it comes to the DOHC xs400's....

 

Not sure how you meant that, but as evidenced by this thread, that's how it is.

 

Dual Over Head Cams (DOHC)

It basically a 2 cylinder version of your XJ750R and they are usually referred to as Maxim (cruiser type) or Seca (sporty type, like your 750)

If it's called Heritage or xs400 special then it most likely is a SOHC 400.
Single Over Head Cam.

 

Let me explain a bit further.

The "original" XS400 was a single overhead-cam, with twin shocks; a "first cousin" to the XS 650 twins. It came out in the mid-late '70s.

Then in 1982, Yamaha brought out the "XS400 Maxim" and "XS400 Seca" which were completely different animals, with double overhead-cam YICS motors, like an "XJ twin" and a monoshock rear suspension. To add to the confusion, in '82 Yamaha was also still offering the original XS400 configuration as a "Heritage Special."

Those new DOHC "half an XJ" XS's continued to be offered for '83, while the SOHC 400 twin finally disappeared from the lineup.

To make matters even more confusing, the aftermarket seems to have completely MISSED the DOHC monoshock 400s; which in this case is not an issue because the XS400 in question is a '78, one of the "oldies."

 

Well, I adjusted it per the manual (and what ryanrules said).

I still have to let go just about all the way before it engages. New clutch time?