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The very first XJ, the XJ400D I dug up some pics

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by bigfitz52, Nov 7, 2009.

  1. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    There has been some dicussion recently in regard to the 4-cylinder XJ400. The 398CC XJ400 was the first XJ, introduced as the "D" for the Japanese home market.

    I can't quite figure that one out, "D" would make it a 1977 by Yamaha's standard coding system and they came out only a year (two maybe) before the Seca 550 here (as far as I know.)

    Anyway, the first ones had the "Buck Rogers" pipes, which were soon replaced with ones more closely resembling the 550 Seca.

    The bike was also sold in Europe from '81 through '83 or so; and reappeared in '95/'96.

    Pics:
     

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  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    OOPs, one more: The cover of the Aoshima model kit box:
     

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  3. jarreddaughtry

    jarreddaughtry Member

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    First time i've seen the 4-cylinder 400. Very cool looking bike.
     
  4. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I'd love to get my hands on one of the original ones with the rocketship pipes. Otherwise it's just a fairingless Seca 550 and I sorta have that covered.
     
  5. jarreddaughtry

    jarreddaughtry Member

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    How does the performance compare to the xs 2-cylinder 400 models.
     
  6. dinoracer

    dinoracer Member

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    First time I have seen that, wow that is nice, what really amazes me is the fact that they put dual discs on the 400 but a single disc on the 550?? Interesting graphics on the first pic, almost reminds me of the gpz's

    Sean
     
  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Hmm...

    The four: 46HP at 10K rpm, 388lbs. dry, 14.0 quarter mile at 90.5mph, 101mph top end.

    The twin: 46HP at 9500 rpm; 373lbs. dry, 14.0 quarter mile at 92mph, no top speed listed. (This is the "XJ" XS twin, the DOHC like the 82 Seca 400.)

    I would say they're quite evenly matched; the twin gains a slight edge in speed (only) in the quarter mile probably due to the weight difference.
     
  8. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    They put dual discs on the EURO-spec 550s. The 400 got "cheapened up" later on with only a single disc.

    I'm pretty sure this is a Euro-market '83:
     

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  9. Igor

    Igor Member

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    I have one,As soon as i have it ready I will a XJ 400 Special Four cilynder , four carbs. four pipes , I have the Japanese market version. As soon as I have it ready, I will post some pictures.
     
  10. Kiwi

    Kiwi Member

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    The XJ400 was probably introduced as a result of the Japanese internal licencing system which exsisted up until the mid 90's. In 1976, Japan introduced a three-tiered motorcycle license system. A license for small bikes to 125cc, medium bikes to 400cc, and a third one with no displacement limit.

    This resulted in many 400cc variants of the models for the international market, some of which were also exported to other countries. I had an XZ550, there was also a 400 model which Yamaha dumped on the New Zealand market the year after they ceased XZ production.
     
  11. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    At that time, in Japan, wasn't there a maximum of 750 CC's AND a national speed limit of 50 MPH ??
    And when was this lifted ??

    On a totally different note- - in Japan, they name the intersections, not the roads !! Are there any Japanese XJ-ers out there??
     
  12. Kiwi

    Kiwi Member

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    I'm not sure about the 750cc limit for the Japanese domestic market but given my XJ750E-II (Japanese domestic model imported into NZ) has a big red light in the middle of the instrument cluster which lights up at exactly 80 kph I'd assume that was the magic top speed limit.

    All my info, from the Vision Riders (XZ) Forum indicates sometime in the 90's.
     
  13. WesleyJN1975

    WesleyJN1975 Member

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    I'm digging those pipes a lot! I wish they made them for the maxim 650. :cry:
     
  14. jdpesz

    jdpesz Member

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    That model is still listed on Aoshima website product list. I'd love to get one. Got that, Santa? :roll:
     
  15. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

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    Shoot chyeah. Those pipes are sick nasty! I cant wait to custom my exhaust. 4-4 is gonna be great
     
  16. dwcopple

    dwcopple Active Member

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    Hey Fitz, where did you get those quarter mile times?
     
  17. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  18. marsmom

    marsmom Member

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    I needs me that 4-4 exhaust. Those are sharp!! Would those make it quieter or louder...not that I would care... I love the look.
     

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