1979 xs400

[MPittma100]

Anyone have any experience/knowledge of the Yamaha 1979 XS400?

[jetmechmarty]

On that bike you will look like.....


I never heard any complaints about it. It morphed from the XS360, I believe. They have their own forum, XS400.com

[MaximPhil]

On that bike you will look like.....


I never heard any complaints about it. It morphed from the XS360, I believe. They have their own forum, XS400.com

Thanks Marty I needed a good laugh

Mike I am sure there are owners on this forum.They should be along shortly.
Phil

[jayel]

try here http://www.xs400.com/forum/index.php

[madmax-im]

I owned a 78 xs400 back in the early 90's...parallel twin...good gas mileage but at anything over 50 mph and the vibrations from the engine run thru the handlebars and vibrate the rear view mirrors so bad that they are rendered useless...also after 60 miles you'll want to get off the beast as your hands will go numb. The bike i had could barely get to 75 mph and in doing so you'd have thought the bike was going to explode...i got 70 mpg from it...a fun bike for around town but not fun at all going anyplace further than an hours ride...also its pretty tall for a 400cc bike...my inseam is 30" but I could not flat foot it...on my tippy toes at stops...bikes have non electronic ignition...the old points in the condenser thing...overall its a pretty crude bike...

[madmax-im]

a pic of an old pic

found this old photgraph...phone camera sucks though...this was the '78 i owned for roughly 2 months before i got rid of it..

[MPittma100]

1979 XS400 Barn Find

I owned a 78 xs400 back in the early 90's...parallel twin...good gas mileage but at anything over 50 mph and the vibrations from the engine run thru the handlebars and vibrate the rear view mirrors so bad that they are rendered useless...also after 60 miles you'll want to get off the beast as your hands will go numb. The bike i had could barely get to 75 mph and in doing so you'd have thought the bike was going to explode...i got 70 mpg from it...a fun bike for around town but not fun at all going anyplace further than an hours ride...also its pretty tall for a 400cc bike...my inseam is 30" but I could not flat foot it...on my tippy toes at stops...bikes have non electronic ignition...the old points in the condenser thing...overall its a pretty crude bike...

Yes, it would appear not to be a long distance choice. More of a local commuter is likely what Yamaha had in mind.

The one that I am referring to is in a barn - a true "barn find". Looks like it has been there since about 1995. It is rather "crusty". I am thinking about cleaning it up, getting it running, and use it for a "pit bike". Don't really want to restore it to original.

[jetmechmarty]

I think there may be enough support for the machine to go ahead with it. It might be a heavy pit bike.

[Jerry]

I had an '82 but there were major changes in '80 or '81 so it is quite a different bike from the '79. I had no problems riding interstates at 75 mph but the bike was really working at that speed, one of the reasons I moved up to the XJ.

Only issue I ever had was the oil pressure switch would get crud on it and short out the leads, turning the warning light on. Clean the switch and no more problems. Cleaning the switch top just became a regular maintenance item.



Missing badge on tank was replaced with a new one. Fairing was on it when I bought it, genuine Yamaha accessory but rare on a 400. Rear tire is same size as the XJ; 130 - 90 - 16. There was also a Seca version, different styling and a 6-speed transmission.

I sold the bike when I moved to Arizona in 2001, would not mind having another if I came across one. It handled well, was great on twisty roads where top end is not a factor, and was fun to ride.

[madmax-im]

Mike...it is a crude bike but they are pretty tough...a tune up and clean up will do wonders for it...they're 401 lbs ...oh yeah 6 speeds The bike pictured was bought off a friend for $200...it had 58000 miles on it when i bought it...when I sold it it had 58200...just wasnt what I wanted...

[Prisoner6]

Yes, it would appear not to be a long distance choice. More of a local commuter is likely what Yamaha had in mind.

Most definitely, Mike ...

Having previously ridden dirt bikes and my Dad's Honda 350/4, the first streetbike I bought for myself was a 1980 XS400 Special.

I took a few short little trips here and there on the bike, but most of the 39,000+ miles I racked up were spent commuting to and from work, and riding around town.

And I can tell you this: The best thing my 400 Special did was commute and cruise around town. No long trips for me on this bike ...

I followed recommended maintenance procedures and never had even one problem with that little bike.

I really enjoyed my time owning and riding it ...