XS400 - possible clutch problems

Hey all, new here and in need of some help. Bought an XS400, love the bike, but doing some highway driving, I started to loose power and now bike will not go over 60km/h and if I give it more throttle the rpms rise, but no more power.
Some have suggested slipping or burnt clutch. I did top up the oil with same grade as previous owner, but not same brand. If it is a bad clutch, could I drain the oil and replace? Would that correct issue? Just not sure how to proceed here. Sucks as I was to get the bike safetied so I could get it on the road. (had a temp license on it prior)

Also, does anyone have a link to online manual? I have been finding it quite difficult to find any info on the bike. I did find one online manual and d/l it, but now when I go to open file I find it is corrupted. :cry:

ANY advice on this bike would be appreciated.

 

What kind of oil did you put in it?
If you put oil in it containing friction modifiers that could be part of the problem.

Have you tried to adjust the clutch at the lever?

Richard

 

Hey Richard, I just put in some Motomaster Formula 1 20w50. Says it is good for gearboxes that use multi grade oils. Thing is I didnt put that much in, maybe 1/4 - 1/2 of a quart. Would that be enough to make it slip?

As per clutch adjustment, I am green to manuals and bikes, so not sure how to do that. If I had some manual to go after I could do it as I do work on cars, but clutches and carbs and the like are new to me. I was told to try to adjust at the engine first and than the handlebars.

 

If it was regular car oil, then it can cause it to slip, as it's not made for wet clutches. Make sure the oil says it's ok for *WET* clutches (that means they are in the engine's oil.)

 

Sorry, the oil it is/was for motorcycle. I take it I should replace the oil than? I was under the impression motorbike oil was all for wet clutches and that 'dry' clutches would be the exception. Oops.

Though I do have a development. Damn bike is now leaking gas from somewhere. Could not see as it is dark out, but it does seem to only do it when I give it throttle. Ugh. This bike was helping me relax from a pretty difficult situation I had been in and now the poor thing is dying on me. lol.

 

If you put in fully synthetic when someone else put semi-synthetic or regular mineral oil (or vice versa) that could cause problems. Some people swear by synhetic oils for wet clutches because of the high heat tolerence, some by semi-synthetic because it has a higher friction.. I know some people who always use regular car engine oil in, but I wouldn't.. There's a reason why they make "motorbike oil".. Personally I've used semi-synthetic motorbike oil in all my bikes (I've had quite a few, and they all had wet clutches) and so far haven't had any clutch problems (touch wood)

Best place to start is to drain your oil and put in a brand name semi-synthetic motorbike oil, I'm not opposed to non-brand names I just don't know what's good where you live, and change the filter at the same time.. I suggest semi-synthetic because fully synthetic can cause clutch slip, like you seem to be experiencing, and changing the filter means you know exactly what's in your engine.

If this doesn't work you could look at the clutch, but I'd start with the oil.

 

Will do. Thanks for the advice. Previous owner used a semi synthetic, I used a premium mineral oil. Guess it doesn't matter how little you put in, you shouldn't mix oils.

Question now is what filter to use? I mean can an xj use the same as an xs? I'm not sure on the relationships between the different bikes. For example, I know I could use the same oil filter for my Mercury Mystique as my Ford Contour. I have been wondering what other parts, if any are common across different models. Is there a write up somewhere on the subject?

Sorry for all the pestering, I hate having to learn on the fly like this. Been trying to read up more, just had no idea of some of the finer details in bikes.

 

Seems to depend on the year of your bike.. I have a tendancy to buy my filters on fleabay, but if you're unsure, go down your local bike shop and buy one, then if they sell you one that looks different to the one you have, you can take it back.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-O ... ccessories

Don't worry about pestering.. If you don't ask, you'll never learn.. We all have to start somewhere... Keep going like this and in a short while, it'll be you that's answering other peoples questions!

 

Yeah these Yamahas seem to be overly complicated in the way they identified them. Wouldn't mind if filters and what not where interchangeable.

I would use Fleabay more myself, but I am up in Canada and everything has to come up from the States (so it seems) and I hate having to worry about duties. Got burned once on a video card I bought from EVGA (wasn't SUPPOSED to be charged any duty)and have tried to avoid the hassle since.

Hopefully after work today I get this addressed and can report some happy news.

 

It's not just Yamaha.. All makes.. Yamaha are the second largest bike manufacturer (Just behind Honda).. Over the years, they've produced something like 1650 year/models.. Each engine has its own need for the speed at which oil is cleaned, and over the years, different technologies were developed.. And anyway, if they all used the same filter, then all the bikes would look like each other..

Got the same problem here in Switzerland.. Everything needs to be imported..

 

If you check your auto parts store they may carry the oil filter.
That's where I buy all mine at $4.95ea and includes the o'rings.

Was wondering where ya'll were located.
Might update your profile info and put your motorcycle model in signature.

Richard

 

Let me know what year of XS 400 you have I might be able to help you out.

 

Was it working fine before at highway speeds?
Have the carbs been worked on ?

I had similar symptoms when I first got mine, turned out the PO had the main jets reversed.....

 

I registered just now to post this because I had the same problem when I got my bike, all three problems, in fact. If you're in 4rth or 5th gear, reving it to 7k and it still sounds like it's chugging it could be one of three things:

1) Check the oil level in the crank case by setting it up on the centerstand after running the bike for ~5 minutes. The glass cover should NOT be covered. The airfilters on this bike breathe from that crank case and if you added oil without draining the previous oil, you could be filling it up into the snorkel.

2) Check your air filters in the air boxes under the seat. After I over filled my crankcase the filters were SOAKED with oil and had to be washed / dried.

3) Motormaster regular oil seemed to cause my bike to slip in 3rd->4rth gear, but 5th was fine. A new synthetic solved this problem...coincidence maybe, but I'm now paying the 4$ more for synthetic if it means I don't get those annoying clutch slips and jerks.

This was me exactly two months and 6000km ago... let us know what happens. I have the 1980 XS 400 service manual, but I'd have to scan it. If the 1982 model manual is good enough for you, it can be found here.