The XR400 Thread

[Gladly]

Originally Posted by DrLewall

not long ago, someone asked abt where to mount a key switch, here is mine

yep, mine is in the same spot

[Fishnbait]

Originally Posted by tjrockit

Was looking at this bike on CL and wanted to get some feedback on how much you think it would cost to get it fixed.

http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/3449875426.html

The problem I see is " Will provide bill of sale". I would want to have a title unless I was going to part it out.

[spawn_x]

Originally Posted by tbarstow

On the front?

It keeps the brake line out of the wheel.

front and rear..

so its normal to have the braided line be enclosed in some type of plastic then? Odd, never would have guessed

[tjrockit]

Originally Posted by Fishnbait

The problem I see is " Will provide bill of sale". I would want to have a title unless I was going to part it out.

Not too worried about that unless I plan to make it street legal, then you have to go through all the bonded title stuff.

[Wallrat]

If he's the legitimate owner and he just lost the title then getting a new one is extremely easy in Tx. Literally takes about 2 weeks to get it. Whether he is or not and you buy it then you could be opening a big can of worms in terms of fees, etc. if you ever want to legally register the bike. Even if you don't plan to, you'll find that selling a bike without a title is a pain and you take a big hit on the price. Most folks nowadays are smart enough to stay clear of potentially stolen property. Personally I'd skip this one unless you plan to just strip it down for parts. Its a bad investment if you plan to keep the bike.

[Dmaster]

Me riding my XR 400 R

[DrLewall]

out on the TAT, in CO..3 yrs ago..

[Stretch67]

Ah, now I can participate!

I picked up this jewel (a '98) yesterday in Knoxville, TN via Craigslist. It started on the FIRST kick! I think she likes me. She did
follow me home.



After going through it today, it needs the usual litany of brake pads, cables, filters, etc., but the important thing is the
cam and rockers are slick and shiny... the various and sundry previous owners didn't runn the thing with no oil. Yaaayyy!



It shows just a touch (cough) of use and abuse...





... but she has a good loving home now. The XR4 will allow me to retire my olde XL250R from trail duties, to be restored.

Now I'll get to reading this thread. 350 pages... not so bad compared to the 900+ pages of the DR350 thread I read after that
purchase (buddy bike).

[DrLewall]

Hows that Swing Arm Pivot Bolt?

congrats btw

[G600]

Originally Posted by Stretch67

.

wow.. just wow.... that bike has a few hours on it... cant beat the old xr4. Amazing

[Stretch67]

I've never seen footpegs worn to this degree. Pretty impressive I think. I'm replacing them with the cheap steel eBay big-'uns (for my size 14 E's), and keeping the originals to hang in my rogues' gallery.

I don't even want to think about how stuck the swingarm bolt is. If it were welded to the frame it would probably be easier to remove. Oof.

There is a fine line of black RTV silicone between the cylinder and cases, indicating a possible piston & rings job in the past. It doesn't smoke, so I'm hip.

I'm just going through the bike now, tightening and lubing stuff. The brake pedal is all floppy, the rear wheel bearings have a lot of play, etc. Nothing major, just lots of worn consumables. I'll essentially be restoring the bike, save bodywork and appearances. New bearings,cables, brake pads, etc. The muffler has been gutted and is loud as hell... I found a good used one on eBay for a hundred bucks, etc etc etc.

I've been wanting this bike for a long time, and I do TLC.

[Ed@Ford]

Stretch 67....when I redid my SA bolt I took off the brake pedal...it is on a shaft with two puny seals to keep out crap...they didn't check yours, replace seals if required, and grease it well on reassembly

flushing fresh brake fluid thru the 2 systems is always good...especially if you have no service records....it's pretty cheap and easy

[G600]

Originally Posted by Stretch67

...
I don't even want to think about how stuck the swingarm bolt is. If it were welded to the frame it would probably be easier to remove....

Don´t panic yet, maybe some PO did grease the swingarm bolt at some time. I bought back my 1999 XR4 last year, I did grease the bolt ten years earlier and it was still removable. Was not easy but it still came out. If the ride terrain is not too muddy/wet, rust is less of a problem of course..

Originally Posted by Stretch67

...

... The brake pedal is all floppy...

You might have a problem with this one. You can get a new brake pedal of course, but the bushing in the frame is not removable as far as I know. If you find a smart way to tighten up that bushing please let us know..

[Stretch67]

Regarding the brake pedal, I'm sure the hole in the frame is now grossly wallowed-out... even a new pedal would have a sloppy fit. I may just have to drill or ream the hole in the frame, then weld in a sleeve machined to the proper size.

I'll start work on the swingarm bolt when all the crucial stuff is done. I can just lay the bike on its side in the garage and lay the PB Blaster to it, for weeks if need be. I have an air chisel with blunt drift bits... if I can work the thing back and forth in a sea of penetrating oil, maybe something will come of it. I'm not holding out for an easy job of it though. I don't believe the bike spent much time in the desert, but was in the southeastern USA most of its life... humid summers and frequent mud on the trails, not to mention PO's pressure-washing the bike, blasting water into the bearings and bushings.

It may take me a while, but I'll get it. I've been in tighter spots than this.

[Stretch67]

Originally Posted by Ed@Ford

flushing fresh brake fluid thru the 2 systems is always good...especially if you have no service records....it's pretty cheap and easy

Most certainly. It's on my list. Naturally, the front master cylinder cover screws are bunged-up, and will have to be replaced before I can re-install the cover. Fortunately, the brakes work quite well, so I ought not have to rebuild them quite yet, just new pads and a fluid flush.

Thanks.