New Rider

[BentRod]

Hello everyone, new guy here

I've been looking at a 1981 XS400SH in my area that is for sale. I was hoping i could get some guildance here. the bike looks like it is going to take about 20 or so man hours to fix, needing new rear brake pads, a clutch pan gasket, a new front tire and the left hand handle bar electricle controls.

What are the common problems with these bikes? anything unusual about this model i should know about?



About me
as far as motorcycles go, I have a little experiance.
I'm a mechanical engineering student at McMaster University
I'm restoring a 1981 Suzuki GSX400L, which is jsut about ready for safety, then I'll start on cosmetics.
I've gotten into motorcycles because I enjoy fixing them. they are simple, and I can find creative solutions to do some of the jobs for less.

[mason79]

you will need 500 hours

[BentRod]

wow how insiteful... could you explain why? or should i just consider the XS to be junk and stick with suzuki?
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From reading what i could find through the search forum, it would seem the electricle is problematic on these machines, and that the vibrantions are a bit of a problem.

anything else thats pissed anyone off while fixing these things?

[Ken Talbot]

I haven't worked on a 400 myself, but I would be really surprised if all it took was 20 hours to get it in shape. That might be all if the bike is already in good running condition and is ridden regularly. The problems start with something that has been sitting for a few years.

You could start into what looks like a simple repair, run into a few stripped phillips head screws, and next thing you know you've wasted a whole Saturday running to town for an impact driver, some more penetrating fluid, and some new metric fasteners.

Now mason79 might be a bit high at 500 hours, but I'll bet 100 hours will disappear real fast if you keep track.

All that aside, don't be discouraged or scared off by how long it may take. For me, much of the joy of old motorcycles is in the time spent working on them. This is not a lot different from the saying that goes "its not the destination, it is the ride".

[BentRod]

20 hours is probably a little optimistic, but I'm certainly hoping to keep it under 50. Given I already have the gsx going, and the amount of free time I have, 50 hours is about all I can give before i intent to start riding.

The engine does run, it just drops oil on the road.

i figure the gasket will be the biggest issue. If these bikes are anything like the gs's, then finding a gesket set is luck at best. so I'm hoping there is enough of the old gasket left for me to cut a new one. if not, well, we will see.

I have not purchased yet, and I want to make sure I'm not buying a possesed, problematic bike.

[Flesh]

Heres that gasket set!!

[randy]

Bentrod,

The 400's are easy to work on. Go for it. Get yourself a manual. Contact Niagrascoot. She's in your area ( I think) and has a similar model, so can give you some pointers.

[mason79]

i'm including polish, planning, chasing time as well...or addressing cosmetic issues not just mechanical

[BentRod]

Well I think I'm going to go for it. I'll be eating KD and hot dogs for the next couple of months, but it should be a lot of fun.

Thanks for the source Flesh. have you ever purchaced anything from these guys before? are they reliable?

Manson: ya cosmetic work does take a lot of time, but as a new rider, I really see it as a matter of when and not if i have a crash, so I'm not really in a hurry to spend a lot of time on how the bike looks. It really it more the mechanical aspect for me, that's what i love about retro japanese bikes.

oh, and i already have an impact driver, and a ready supply of metric machine screws and hex bolts, and my local shops are great for most parts, or I occationaly make parts.


So here I go, time to try put in an offer on tha yami!

Thanks everyone!
BentRod

[Niagarascoot]

So did you get the bike?

Randy is right, you should call me, I'm just the other side of Stoney Creek and I have a '82 that I've fixed up. Send a PM if you want.

[randy]

Well. well. Look who's back! Was your 'puter buried in snow?

You should know, 'Scoot, that I'm always right. Except when T.C. proves me wrong

[Niagarascoot]

Awwwwwww, so nice to be missed!

Glad TC is on the job of keeping you in line.. don't want that head of yours swelling too large for your lid!

I started wondering about bentrod's bike.. sure hope he returns to this thread to answer my 10 questions.