Author Topic: Not a Honda, XT350 (Read 8652 times)

Flying J · « **on:** July 18, 2012, 05:18:51 PM »

Well here is my newest bike. XT350. Im going to get this one going and ride it a bit to figure out what i like and dont like and then its off to the chopping block for modifications.

Randawg77 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2012, 08:06:47 PM »

nice score, I am looking for a cheap dual sport. They are few and far between here in the cornfields of IL.

Flying J · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2012, 09:21:18 PM »

I have family in the cornfields of Illinois. Fun to ride bikes out there.

kirkn · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2012, 07:06:35 AM »

Wow, that's a really sweet-looking machine. Looks to be very complete and most all original.

'chopping block for modifications'? Sigh.

Flying J · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2012, 08:31:01 AM »

Yeah, i know. It is complete but Im not going to destroy it and turn it into a chopper of some sort. If you have a look at some of my builds I think i do a quality job when i do modify a bike. We shall see. I may fall in love with the bike as is. The yamaha XT350 is not a highly sought after machine. My goal is to make it a more streetable bike rather then dirt bike. I want to still be able to hit dirt road and stuff. Its going to be a sort of Urban assault bike. I was looking at XR600 but they are big and dont have a cush drive so riding on street a lot puts some serious wear on the chain, sprockets and transmission. The XT350 does have a cush so that is what made me lean that way. Idealy my changes will not alter the bike in a way that it can not be changed back. but we will cross that bridge later. The bike does not run as of right now so I have a little bit of work to do. Not sure how fast i will get to it as I have 2 other bikes to finish.

Here is my inspiration for this bike so far.

benjy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2012, 11:49:15 AM »

I've just purchased an XL600R(twin carb) in a rougher condition,but the engine seems ok.once its sorted out + registered etc,I will contemplate what direction to go with it.I've seen that you tube show of your inspiration bike(several times lol)+ it does get the mind working,does'nt it?

Flying J · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2012, 05:30:25 PM »

Does not run yet. Compression was 170. Going to try and get this thing back on the road and ride-able.

Not a low mileage bike

I hear the these boot are a big problem part. Where do they tend to brake and leak from?

Decompression arm is missing and the cable is broken. The shaft doesnt turn when i kick it. Should it turn without the cable attached? EDIT: I messed with it and now its broken for sure. Kicker wont move. Time to take the side cover off.

Also going to need a new chain and sprockets. Debating on making the switch to a 520 chain. Not going to beef up the motor and ill be riding mostly street so i dont know if ill need it.

Flying J · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2012, 06:24:15 PM »

Well I tore into the motor today. Found why the decompression arm wasnt working.

I also found some aluminum in the filter.

Not sure where its from yet. I pulled the valve cover and checked the cams and they look ok. Gonna have a friend/real mechanic see if Im missing something.

Im just hoping it replace the decompression arm and cable. Put in new seals and clean the carbs to get it back on the road. Fingers crossed.

bluesmoke69 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2012, 08:36:51 PM »

Good luck, hope it nothing major.

Flying J · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2012, 09:38:42 AM »

When i was going through the rear pouch behind the seat i found the broken end of a kicker shaft. So i pulled the kicker shaft and gear and found this.

Not sure if its new or old so Im going to put some nail polish over it, put it back together and kick it a few times and see if its still rubs. I guess a new side cover might help to keep it aligned.

Flying J · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2012, 10:06:20 AM »

ok So i painted the rubbing area assembled it and kicked it a few times with the spark plug in. No rubbing. So im going to run it as is and just keep an eye on it. Its painted now so in the future i can tell if anything has changed. There should be much less torque on that part now that i will have a functioning compression release valve.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2012, 04:22:17 AM »

Nice bike I have been keeping my eye out for a 83-84 xl600. I saw this bike awhile ago and for some reason I liked what was done to it.

trueblue · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2012, 06:08:32 AM »

My brother in law had one of these years ago, I think I was about 12 or 13, he said to me if I can start it I can ride it. One kick later I was riding it, but could hardly reach the ground when I stopped.

^^^^^In this picture it looks like the carb isn't pushed all the way into the boot, this will cause leaks.^^^^^

This is a nice bike but realistically needs a front guard and a guard to protect the rear of the engine, even those not quite knobby tyres throw rocks and mud really well.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2012, 08:31:15 AM »

Quote from: ffJMoore on July 23, 2012, 05:30:25 PM

Does not run yet. Compression was 170. Going to try and get this thing back on the road and ride-able.

Not a low mileage bike

I hear the these boot are a big problem part. Where do they tend to brake and leak from?

ff,
The carb. boots tend to "un-bond" themselves from the bolt on flange portion of the boots on the XT's where the rubber is molded onto the aluminum..,replaced a couple on XT's for that reason.

Decompression arm is missing and the cable is broken. The shaft doesnt turn when i kick it. Should it turn without the cable attached? EDIT: I messed with it and now its broken for sure. Kicker wont move. Time to take the side cover off.

Also going to need a new chain and sprockets. Debating on making the switch to a 520 chain. Not going to beef up the motor and ill be riding mostly street so i dont know if ill need it.

Flying J · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2012, 03:26:12 PM »

Its a runner!. All my parts came in the other day. I had only a few hours to replace the decompression lever and side gasket. Replace the carb boots. Rebuild the carb. Check the valve clearance and put on a new valve cover gasket. Change oil filter and then add oil. I got it to start, rode around the block and then had to leave for dinner. I rode the bike to work but it would not idle very low. I guessed that the idle circuit was clogged so i toothe carb apart and sure enough it was clogged. Cleaned the jet slapped it all back together and now it purs at 1300 RPM. Ill ride it home tomorrow and see how it does on the road. I do know that it can pull a wheelie in the parking lot.
Xt350 runs good

Flying J · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2012, 07:47:47 PM »

Took it off road today. It was my first time. Lots of fun.

Flying J · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2012, 04:35:54 PM »

Painted the intakes and sprayed the head and cylinders with some hi temp paint as well. Ill be putting on new tires today. Still waiting on my 520 chain and sprockets. Rear brake is soft. I think the brake arm is bent and allowing to much play. Illl fix that today when i putr new tires on.

Flying J · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2012, 04:36:48 PM »

New tires and i fixed the brake rod. It stops better now but im not to impressed with the rear brake. I also replaced the gasket on the oil drain bolt so hopefully the bike will stop leaking.

Flying J · « **Reply #18 on:** September 13, 2012, 09:20:34 AM »

Tires are out getting balanced. My sprockets came in so i put them on. You think it was time to replace them?

Flying J · « **Reply #19 on:** September 15, 2012, 01:53:21 PM »

went for a ride today. I tried going up a trail that was above my experience level and had my ass handed to me. I went around the other way.

Tollhouse fail

Stev-o · « **Reply #20 on:** September 15, 2012, 02:53:39 PM »

Looks like some great terrain for ridong that bike.

Flying J · « **Reply #21 on:** April 09, 2013, 10:49:53 PM »

Sold the bike. Bought a CB500 for $100. Thats how i roll. sell one by one. Rinse and repeat.

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Author Topic: Not a Honda, XT350 (Read 8652 times)