Fired up the XR today and rode around the yard a little, to get an idea what needs to be done to the motor. Definitely needs a carb rebuild -- the choke lever no longer stays up on its own, and the drain screw doesn't seal up, so it leaks gas the whole time the petcock is open. Besides that, the engine smokes a bit at startup, so it probably needs valve seals, and I can hear some ticking from the head, so the valves probably need some adjustment, and possibly a valve job.
I ordered a top end gasket kit last week, so as soon as it comes in, I can start tearing into it. Looks like I need to order a carb rebuild kit, too.
On the upside, holy cow is this bike a wheelie machine. I wasn't used to the clutch from having not ridden this bike in a few years, and wheelied the entire length of my driveway on the first launch. Can't wait to see how it acts with a fresh top end and carb!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
XR photo
A quick photo of the XR as it now sits in my garage. My garage is pretty cluttered up at the moment, so I blurred out the mess in the background.
As you can see from the Baja Designs headlight, I once had good intentions of making my XR into a dualsport. It has a horn and used to have turn signals and brake light as well, but I never quite got around to filing all the paperwork. I still have all the street goodies, so it's possible that once the bike is transformed into a GP/track day bike, it may yet become street legal in the future.
As I suspected, the header bolts are pretty well rusted up, so I have begun soaking them in Aerokroil.
As you can see from the Baja Designs headlight, I once had good intentions of making my XR into a dualsport. It has a horn and used to have turn signals and brake light as well, but I never quite got around to filing all the paperwork. I still have all the street goodies, so it's possible that once the bike is transformed into a GP/track day bike, it may yet become street legal in the future.
As I suspected, the header bolts are pretty well rusted up, so I have begun soaking them in Aerokroil.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Parts order
My 1996 XR400 smokes a bit when first started, so the motor most likely needs some new valve seals, and possibly rings. Since I want to check the valves and rings anyway, I ordered a top-end gasket kit and exhaust gaskets yesterday.
I'm not looking forward to unbolting the exhaust. It's been on the bike since new, and I'm sure getting the header bolts out is going to be a pain. Hmmm.... Maybe I should go soak them in Aerokroil tonight before bed.
I'm not looking forward to unbolting the exhaust. It's been on the bike since new, and I'm sure getting the header bolts out is going to be a pain. Hmmm.... Maybe I should go soak them in Aerokroil tonight before bed.
Friday, April 1, 2011
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