Ok. Help me out a little more please. Do I remove the air filter and spay the oil in there? Or do you just spray it thru the air filter? Probably...
organizedinsanity, Since it's getting too cold to start the VStar in the mornings here (below freezing a bit) with my old battery, I decided...
Tks for this precious info. I do have a toolkit but I'll check to see if it's the original one you describe. To change the oil you have to...
With winter seeming to be coming fast this year, I'm thinking of winterizing my bikes. Easy for the XS400L. Not obvious for the VStar. Should I...
Yep.. since I decided not to part the bike after all (it starts every time), I'll be searching for a valve come springtime. Right now it's...
I have an XS400L and it used to do just that to me. I finally found a way to get it working, of course after having checked the fuse box and...
So, how are the ribs now, Helmet? And did you ever find out who was driving that car that swerved in front of you?
Scary - hope you heal fast. I doubt you can hold legally responsible the driver of that car you were following. Let us know how it works out....
I would like a study to be made to understand why car drivers see an oncoming car, but not an oncoming motorcycle. Of course they "see it" (as far...
My XS400L Maxim did that before I leaned the carbs. Then after my "tune up" I couldn't start it at all with the choke on. Now what I have to do is...
Hi Jake, That fall must have been scary. What caused it? And why the VMax in the name? You say you own 2 Ducatis... Curious 'cause I bought...
I have a bike that started in such and such a way for months. Then something changed and now I have to work it differently for it to start. I...
DianCecht, the rule I follow is: if I have a bad feeling about it, I don't ride (or fly). I don't share any faith or religious belief, but my...
Re: Be The Bunny! Safe riding and motorcycle survival threa Mike, Why not just keep more distance between your bike and whatever is in front...
Re: Be The Bunny! Safe riding and motorcycle survival threa Been thinking on the statement that braking ONLY depends on the coefficient of...
I'm doing minor maintenance, carb tune up, stuff like that but want to tackle bigger jobs as I gain more experience: check the shims, change a...
Tried it today. This is the way it works on my XS400 is I have to tuck the shift lever up with very little pressure - practically none - and wait...
Re: Be The Bunny! Safe riding and motorcycle survival threa It's up to 85% braking power in front and the rest with the rear. A more common...
Last fall the clutch cable on my XS400 broke several miles (10) away from home and work, where I was heading. Spent 15 minutes making a few...
Re: Be The Bunny! Safe riding and motorcycle survival threa The figure given (134 feet at 60 mph) is about in the middle of this table:...
Never heard of those modulators before Bill mentioned he used those. Even though it didn't work for him this one time, it's probably a good idea...
Re: Be The Bunny! Safe riding and motorcycle survival threa MiCarl, maybe the tires are sticker, but there are only 2 of them instead of four,...
Been waiting, hoping to hear news that Bill would come back some time to take my response to his post. Sadly it's all over for Bill. Rams in the...
Re: Be The Bunny! Safe riding and motorcycle survival threa Yep, read the road tests BigFitz - that's why I dared question that perception....
Re: Be The Bunny! Safe riding and motorcycle survival threa In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a bike takes more road to stop...
it's a D8ES ngk in fact. I have 3 sets of new spark plugs and I keep trying new plugs :lol: - ignition coils are new, so is the starter switch...
This might be a stupid question, but my XS400L seems to have a weak spark. So why wouldn't some different spark plug give a stronger spark with...
right - was getting to them. They don't seem to have the gaskets but they might have an intake valve that would fit my XS400L Tks for the hint
:cry: I forgot Chacal only has parts for XJs. Mine is an XS. Will have to try ebay...
Tks Tylernt. Next question: should I change all valves or just the burnt one?
ok - tks for making that clear, BFitz. I'll find a gasket kit somewhere - probably from Chacal - order a colortune kit at the same time, and...
ok! I hadn't understood that I didn't have to hold it over 3,500 rpm for the alternator to work. That's nice to know! (I wasn't holding it at high...
I did buy the OEM manual (close enough to my bike: XS400J), Haynes and some more. Taking the engine out and having it opened by the mechanic to...
I have an XS400L 1983 that I've been riding to work all the time. Nice bike. Started to have several problems (other threads) so took it to a...
On my XS400L I have to wiggle the connectors to the fuse box to make sure the connections are made. The wires connect to a metal prong that moves...
wow a recall! There is a screw in the fender - put my hand under the fender to feel it and it seemed to hold nothing. Figured it was there to...
I pulled on the drivrer's seat and mine is not coming off - unless I have to pull hard... I didn't dare pull to hard... yet ;-) How does your...
tks but the Canadian side of Sears doesn't seem to have it. Too expensive to have it shipped from the States...
lol ok
wow - what happened?
Used V-Star 1100 Custom year 2000 Needs a new battery. OEM in Canada costs 200$ (from what I'm told) Should I go for the OEM battery of a...
Just bought a VStar 1100 Custom to complement my XS400L :D Don't have the manual - will fall on Haynes and Clymer until I can find the OEM...
Well, with the wiring diagram I started to follow wires by the color. Turns out the fuse box is junk. Twist a little, something comes on. Put the...
ok DW - I'll use that pdf manual if the wire color codes are the same on all those models. Tks. Neither the low beam nor the high beam light up...
I had that pdf for the Seca - not sure the wiring is the same as for the XS400J and L models. The Seca has a serial starting with 12E and the...
Forgot my manual at home far away and I'm trying to fix my headlamp not working. I tested the bulb on a 12V battery and it'ok. So I have to check...
Different bike?
Tks, guys. Yah, bigfitz. At first I thought it would be a carb problem. Should have left my options open and named the thread "starting...
Hound: The engine turns over ok - but there is no spark: it turns like the plugs were not in there or not connected. But it turns strong. Like no...
UPDATE Well after the problem with the bike stopping cold after 30-60 seconds of warming up creeped back in, I enriched the mixture again - and...