4
400s
Guest
Greetings,
This is my first post in this forum but I have learned more about motorcycle maintenance from reading threads here the last few days than I ever thought I would and I could need some advice.
I recently purchased a 1981 GS400S in Vancouver. From what I understand the 'S' model was never sold in the US so there is little information on this specific model online, other than in japanese, where rosetta stone has only gotten me so far... I bought the bike from someone who didn't know what 'res' stood for on the petcock and so naturally no manual or help came along with it. Nor did any maintenance history, but from the looks of it I don't even know if it has a maintenance history. I have downloaded some manuals from other models the same year but do not have one for my model. Does anyone out there know of any ways the 'S' model is different from other 80-81 models? Does anyone with an 'S' model want to educate me on things I should look out for?
Other than a stint with a 50cc dirtbike when I was 16 I do not have any experience with motorcycles and playing with carburetors and valves intimidate me slightly. Luckily I like getting my hands dirty and am endlessly patient so I think with some practice this learning experience of owning a motorcycle curves right up my alley.
Initial concerns:
The airfilter was completely disintegrated, I replaced it and replaced the sparkplugs because as a result the bike had been running rich for who knows how long. Does this warrant an investigation into other parts of the bike?
When the engine warms up it tends to stay around 3000 in idle for a while then slowly fall until the engine dies. I think this is a result of an airleak which would make sense because the airbox boots are looking warped and the o-rings are trying to escape. With this situation (even after replacing the airfilter), I am considering just replacing the whole airbox with k&n pods. Is this a good idea? I know performance will increase a bit but does it have other effects? If I were to do this I assume I will need to re-jet. Can someone tell me exactly what pods and what new jets I would need? (I just recently learned what pods and jets are)
The tires are cracked and I'm going to have them replaced. This and the condition of the airbox o-rings makes me concerned other rubber elements on the bike are due for replacement, what parts are the first to go?
Lastly, and this is primarily a BC legal concern. The bike only came with one mirror, on the left hand side. Am I allowed to drive like that in BC?
I like this bike as-is and am positively surprised, even in its current condition, by its performance. That being said, if anyone has any easy and cool tips of things to do with to increase performance/looks it I would love to hear it.
Ride on,
This is my first post in this forum but I have learned more about motorcycle maintenance from reading threads here the last few days than I ever thought I would and I could need some advice.
I recently purchased a 1981 GS400S in Vancouver. From what I understand the 'S' model was never sold in the US so there is little information on this specific model online, other than in japanese, where rosetta stone has only gotten me so far... I bought the bike from someone who didn't know what 'res' stood for on the petcock and so naturally no manual or help came along with it. Nor did any maintenance history, but from the looks of it I don't even know if it has a maintenance history. I have downloaded some manuals from other models the same year but do not have one for my model. Does anyone out there know of any ways the 'S' model is different from other 80-81 models? Does anyone with an 'S' model want to educate me on things I should look out for?
Other than a stint with a 50cc dirtbike when I was 16 I do not have any experience with motorcycles and playing with carburetors and valves intimidate me slightly. Luckily I like getting my hands dirty and am endlessly patient so I think with some practice this learning experience of owning a motorcycle curves right up my alley.
Initial concerns:
The airfilter was completely disintegrated, I replaced it and replaced the sparkplugs because as a result the bike had been running rich for who knows how long. Does this warrant an investigation into other parts of the bike?
When the engine warms up it tends to stay around 3000 in idle for a while then slowly fall until the engine dies. I think this is a result of an airleak which would make sense because the airbox boots are looking warped and the o-rings are trying to escape. With this situation (even after replacing the airfilter), I am considering just replacing the whole airbox with k&n pods. Is this a good idea? I know performance will increase a bit but does it have other effects? If I were to do this I assume I will need to re-jet. Can someone tell me exactly what pods and what new jets I would need? (I just recently learned what pods and jets are)
The tires are cracked and I'm going to have them replaced. This and the condition of the airbox o-rings makes me concerned other rubber elements on the bike are due for replacement, what parts are the first to go?
Lastly, and this is primarily a BC legal concern. The bike only came with one mirror, on the left hand side. Am I allowed to drive like that in BC?
I like this bike as-is and am positively surprised, even in its current condition, by its performance. That being said, if anyone has any easy and cool tips of things to do with to increase performance/looks it I would love to hear it.
Ride on,
