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Caferacer.net Forum Caferacer.net Forum Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ Username: Password: ___________ ___________ [ Login ] [ ] Save Password Forgot your Password? All Forums Caferacer.net Forums [IMG] New Topic [IMG] Reply to Topic General [IMG] Printer Friendly Yamaha xs400, good buy? Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic lordtreov Posted - May 25 2009 : 9:28:17 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Tricycle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Posts I'm looking at buying a 1982 yamaha xs400 special. This will be my first bike. It seems to be in very good condition as far as i can tell, although it does leak oil, which the owner says is from a worn seal on the engine sprocket, but one of my friends said it could be a cracked block or something. The asking price is 1200, any input would be appreciated. GimPy Posted - May 25 2009 : 10:32:20 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Tricycle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canada do you know a mechanic? if so ask him to go with you to check it out start it up 25 Posts take it for a rip and such. Go to Top of Page UncleErnie Posted - May 25 2009 : 11:03:36 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Training wheels -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1200 would be OK if it is low miles and very good condition. Doesn't sound like 432 Posts it's worth that much, and find out how much it would cost to fix this leak- among other things. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOOK OUT IT'S COMING THIS WAY! Go to Top of Page lordtreov Posted - May 25 2009 : 11:05:19 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Tricycle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Posts no unfortunately i don't, but it starts up like perfect, and I'm going to test drive it tomorrow, any specific tell tale things to look for? Go to Top of Page lordtreov Posted - May 26 2009 : 12:14:42 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote Tricycle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Posts no the miles arent that low, 18xxx, but it is in good condition, and he changes most of the stuff himself... like he just started pulling shit off and showing me where he put a new regulator thing on the battery and how to clean the air filter and stuff. so probably offer like 850 or 9 Go to Top of Page ZouLou Posted - May 26 2009 : 02:09:55 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote Minibike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USA Ok some tell tale things would be: 546 Posts how does it shift through the gears? How does the clutch feel? Is it easy to find neutral once the engine is warm? Does the electric start still work? Does it smoke during warm up or acceleration? If it has a center stand get it up on there and try and move the rear wheel back and forth. Does it move? Does there seem to be any oil coming from the forks seals or rear shocks? These are just a few basic things to look at. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special http://www.caferacer.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12991 Go to Top of Page Fang Posted - May 28 2009 : 8:18:38 PM Show Profile Visit Fang's Homepage Reply with Minibike Quote USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 583 Posts Does this XS400 have the teardrop-shaped gas tank, or the significantly more aesthetically pleasing flat-topped, boxy-shaped tank? I obviously like the boxy ones better. Very pretty bike. If it looks and runs perfect, $1200 is still a fair price, a bit steep, but still fair. Tears in the seat, scratches, dents, etc, would make that price seem like too much to me. Also look at the tires. Remember that a decent set of tires will put you out about $300. Inspect the tread and look for weather cracking in the sidewalls. There should be none. Look for a brand name that you recognize like Avon, Dunlop, Bridgstone, Pirelli, etc; not anything with the word Ching in its name. How about the chain -- a good one will cost another $150+; you replace chains with a set of sprockets 85% of the time. Is the chain rusty or stretched? In the middle of the rear sprocket, pull on it to see how snugly it fits. If you can pull it much at all then it is worn out. good luck -fang -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Even the softest of things can pass through The Fang.mp3 like invisible water. Tired of eating CRAP! Go to Top of Page OC Steve Posted - May 28 2009 : 10:33:30 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Minibike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USA quote: 837 Posts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by lordtreov I'm looking at buying a 1982 yamaha xs400 special. This will be my first bike. It seems to be in very good condition as far as i can tell, although it does leak oil, which the owner says is from a worn seal on the engine sprocket, but one of my friends said it could be a cracked block or something. The asking price is 1200, any input would be appreciated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's how to tell where the oil leak is leaking from: Spray the oily area with Simple Green, Gunk, or whatever degreaser you have. Get all the built-up oil sludge off, and let it dry. Then coat the area with foot powder, talcum powder, or baby powder. You should have a thin coat of white powder covering the whole area. Then start the bike and watch to see where the leak shows up. It'll be easy to see since it shows up as a dark brown on the white powder. Watch especially around the clutch shaft seal. Go to Top of Page Geeto67 Posted - May 29 2009 : 06:24:25 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote Hotpants model -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10810 Posts FILL OUT YOUR BIO there are so many better bikes to be had for $1200 - pass on this one. Especially if it is leaking and you can't see from where. Also I think the special is the chopper model so double pass. Go to Top of Page txchainsawgogi Posted - May 29 2009 : 11:04:11 AM Show Profile Visit txchainsawgogi's Homepage Minibike Reply with Quote 890 Posts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i think there was the special, then the ''special II''. the two being more of a chopper cruiser looking bike. tear drop tank with mag wheels... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- honk if youre horny. Go to Top of Page txchainsawgogi Posted - May 29 2009 : 11:18:03 AM Show Profile Visit txchainsawgogi's Homepage Minibike Reply with Quote 890 Posts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- actually i think the special II was a 650. sooo nevermind. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- honk if youre horny. Go to Top of Page Geeto67 Posted - May 29 2009 : 4:25:40 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Hotpants model -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10810 Posts special = crusier/chopper in yamaha speak. Just like LTD = crusier/chopper in kawasaki, Custom = Crusier/chopper in honda speak and L (for limited) = chopper crusier in Suzuki. Go to Top of Page ZouLou Posted - May 29 2009 : 5:41:43 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Minibike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USA Geeto is correct I have the awesome special in a 650 haha and I know i feel so 546 Posts special that I have to change the wheels on it just to get some decent modern tire sizes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special http://www.caferacer.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12991 Go to Top of Page Previous Topic Topic Next Topic [IMG] New Topic [IMG] Reply to Topic Jump To: [__________________________] [IMG] Printer Friendly Caferacer.net Forum (c) (c) 2001 - 2010 Caferacer.net Go To Top Of Page Snitz Forums 2000