newbi questions

[wornknobby]

all right i am planning on getting an xr400,since i just rode my budies and LOVED it!! but i have a few questions, now i know the xr's run for ever rule and etc... :blah:
but what are the flaws? i'm not used to 4 stroke jetting, but i know a 2 smoke needs to be jetted perfectly or else it won't run. does this apply? also i've heard of people blowing out their oil filters with air compressors, this doesn't sound like a bad idea but does it really work? any other use tips to help me out would be greatly appreciated. :aj: :)

i'm still searching through the posts to gather more info, but i didn't see these questions any where.

 

[Tom Dixon]

IMHO, the only flaw with the XR 400 would have to be the suspension. For more advanced riders, the stock suspension just doesn't cut it. Other than that, it is one of the funnest bikes I have ever ridden!

 

[Patman]

Why would you blow a oil filter out with compressed air when they are so cheap? Just replace it when the oil is changed. This little expense is still a lot less than normal maintenance on most 4 strokes.

Jetting is somewhat of an issue with 4 strokes as well, it's a carb and elevation or temp changes will have effect on the way the bike runs. I've found my XR to not be AS picky as a 2 stroke but it does need adjusted for anything that varies a lot from my standard setup.

 

[wornknobby]

thanx, i've raced my cr125 and noticed alot of people switching to 4 strokes,but its been soo long since i rode one that i thought i would never go back. :) oopps, my buddies xr400 rips, i'm counting all my peenies now so i can buy a used 96 or 97. i found a couple for like $1500. sweet. thanx again guys

 

[Patman]

Look in to a SRC fork brace to keep the forks a little less flexy. Pick up a UNI filter so you can ditch the stock cage, open up the airbox and either grind the welds inside the head pipe or get a good aftermarket system. There are lots of mods for these bikes and if you use it for it's intended purpose they are AWESOME.

 

[wornknobby]

are the welds right on the inside of were it mounts or is it a pain to get out?

here are some pics check em' out :) :cool:
http://www.bikepics.com/members/wornknobby/97xr400/

 

[apb]

sorry, I know this is a little off-topic --
Patman, is this link your website? -- or just a different Patman? It's got some great info on my current bike, but I was wanting to hear what the engine mods you mention are -- looks like you didn't quite finish the page?

http://www.patmanracing.com/PatmansRMX.htm

 

[Patman]

Strange as it may seem that is another Patman who happens to be in to bikes, happens to live in Texas and happens to have a very similar history to mine. Around DRN he goes by "Patman North".

 

[Patman]

are the welds right on the inside of were it mounts or is it a pain to get out?

here are some pics check em' out :) :cool:
http://www.bikepics.com/members/wornknobby/97xr400/

You can easily get at them with a die grinder or Dremmel. You will need a couple of the crush gaskets to reseal the pipe to the head properly. They are only a couple bucks from Honda.