78 GS400 19 years sitting now here we go...

[pete]

Awwww man! I'd be lucky to get one incomplete basket case here for that price! Hopefully he gets back to you...

[barnbiketom]

well I rode it all over today. I put on approx 50 miles. It rurns very strong. pulls harder than the 450L for some reason??? emgo short pipes sound fantastic. no running problems, that is no bogging or surging or off idle(I.E. Jetting problems) but it does have the ROVING idle, or hanging idle sometimes!!!??@#% I adjusted the idle knob 5 times . it either stalls or idles at 3k and has that slow return to idle after it is very warm.???@#$#%^^

carbs been dipped and ultrasonically cleaned.. new O RINGS via mr BARR.. NEW intake ORINGS but not the paper gaskets but they were off and I sealed them w/h i temp permatex.. umm nice original airbox with an original inner filter with a new outer foam , and the foam oiled!!
still roving idle hahahaha DARNIT
I may revisit the carbs again. redip and check check check.

One thing I noticed was the intake boot clamps were all the way tight and maybe the boots are leeking???@@#%% I may propane test it tomorrow to see if theres a leak!!!

[pete]

Good stuff Tom!

If the boot clamps are as tight as they can go then that doesn't sound right.

The clamps on my original boots did that and they leaked something fierce as the rubber had shrunk with age.

New boots on there and the clamps aren't done up anywhere near tight as they can be and they seal just right.

[barnbiketom]

I was worried about that when i tore her down. I'm now looking for intakes hahahah. unless it has the wrong clamps on it?? the boots seemed very supple to me???

[pete]

Could be just the wrong clamps, maybe find some hose clamps that will clamp down a little tight?

My boots I wouldn't have said were very supple but still pliable... I had to use rubber grease to get the carbs to slip in.

[barnbiketom]

going to get some hose clamps!!

tonite I propane checked it .. it did NOTHING .. i am puzzled to say the least//?#?$?$ I did it after 1/2 hour running. sometimes it revs.. sometime not. DUOOOOHHHH.
ALSO tore out the points advancer . looks great no binding etc...timed on the money..both sides. i'm now wondering if it needs jetted because of the mostly open emgo pipes?> .. BUT it runs fine in all modes. exept that darned idle roving arournd??
I will say that sometimes when LETTING OFF the throttle in WFO it surges....stumbles. I can't put my finger on it lol

[barnbiketom]

the more I think about it. I'll soon be re-visiting the carbs. theres' gotta be more dirt in 'em

[pete]

Good luck! But I'd say you may be on the right track... either carbs or something not quite right in that intake system...

[barnbiketom]

It was raining today so i didn't ride it up to the shop a mile away. I did get the carbs out of the 82 450 and torn down. everything looks good!! too many bikes and not enough time or days off!!

[pete]

too many bikes and not enough time or days off!!

I hear ya' loud and clear! Just about time for the next service after the rebuild but I'm putting it off until after the Laverda show this Sunday... and I still haven't worked out how I'm going to do the valve clearance checks as I ride her every day to work and back... might have to work from home one day or something...

[barnbiketom]

I would imagine a 450 front end would be pretty much a bolt on and I'm guessing same with the rear wheel... shouldn't be too hard I wouldn't think.

That WAS CORRECT nice easy bolt on.
now should the front fender be chrome? or white????

I stripped the wheels and painted w/duplicolor wheel silver then clearcoated 'em with NAPA auto 2 part epoxy. I like it!! it was a complete bolt on. I didn't really need to change the trees and stem, but I did so i could lube up the bearings. tanks to "Big Rich" for the deeels on the WHEELS hahha..

[barnbiketom]

also need the black hub cover dust seal.

it's a never ending love huh??

seat cover...maybe for Christmas???

new chain now to go on with the new 41 T rear instead of the 45 it goes GREAT and no more 'looking for another gear"

Today i installed the float charger hookup to the battery so i can keep it charged without taking the batery in for the winter.. you never know here when you get a decent day to ride, so it will be all ready to go!!!

[pete]

Great stuff Tom! Gotta be better with a disc up front hey?

Definitely go the white front guard I reckon!

[barnbiketom]

actually, the twin leading shoe drum stopped almost as well..
I just wanted mags and the fork tubes were pitted. Big Rich had the whole shebang siting there so here it is.


yes white front fender it shall be. pics forthcoming in a month maybe hahah
neverending sstuff eh??

[jfman]

Cool bike!


I'm sure you can find a taker for your wire wheels since people with 1980's GS400's like to make cafe racers out of them + drums are in vogue.