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Post by bigrichard on Feb 15, 2012 23:27:42 GMT -5
Hey everyone, I've been lurking for a little while on here. Been to a few races back in the day at Sedalia, Missouri Caught one at Jeeps here in Wichita at the end of October (21st I think). Just bought a '82 XS400 to hammer into some kind of shape. Really hoping to have everything in line both equipment and money-wise to make a bunch of races this year. I'll likely be asking technical questions here and there along with a bunch of FNG questions since I've never raced (off of public streets, legally  ). Looking forward to talking with y'all. |
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Post by verticaltwin on Feb 16, 2012 8:03:25 GMT -5
XS400? Those were a 6-speed, right? Should simplify gearing for a track...  |
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Post by bigrichard on Feb 17, 2012 0:30:13 GMT -5
Well I got my first wild hair with this "project" and went out and hammered and chiseled and took off a bunch of broken garbage. It's actually a 5 speed. It's going to need a lot but hopefully the engine and trans are good. If not I bought a bunch o scrap metal. The bike is the first 5 pictures in this album. Photobucket link(I tried uploading the pictures on here but it wouldn't cooperate.) |
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Post by kingkirk on Feb 18, 2012 7:44:22 GMT -5
 .. when using photobucket...use the link on the bottom of the list (IMG)http:blah blah blah ~outlaw ray III will have a buncho FNG answers~ kool kat and purty puter and flat track litter-ate..~ good luck friend.. kk#38k wichita. |
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Post by kawasakifreak77 on Feb 18, 2012 9:11:50 GMT -5
Welcome to the madhouse man! Gonna get into the 400 class eh? Hell yeah! Hehe King! Ya make sound like I know what I'm doin'...  |
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Post by crackerjack on Feb 18, 2012 23:42:54 GMT -5
I dont know what class you are planning on. If you are thinking vintage 400 that class is 1979 and older. I think you said your bike is 1982..................Tom
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Post by tudorpilot on Feb 19, 2012 20:02:57 GMT -5
The XS 400 should be a "prior to" 1979 design......
I.E.... vintage twins is usually 1975 and older... But we can run engines from the late 70's, because they are the same design and build.
The XS400 will be a decent starting point for a beginner, and it is in no way a "ringer" in the 400 class....
I think we should support anyone who would like to join our sport.
Josh
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Post by bigrichard on Feb 20, 2012 1:58:48 GMT -5
It is an 82, so Vintage is out for me. I am a true beginner, been riding street bikes for around 10 years or so but no off road/racing experience. This bike was a real deal for me, I only paid $100 for it so I don't think I went wrong. One of the main things I'm looking for is a link to/list of the rules for the different classes. Me and a buddy rebuilt the carbs, got it cranking over (no spark, but not ready to get it running yet) stripped some garbage off and cussed at it a lot tonight. Josh, I don't know if you remember me or not. I was the guy who was running around with your cousin Ivan when you guys were racing at Jeeps here by Wichita.     |
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Post by crackerjack on Feb 21, 2012 0:02:49 GMT -5
Josh you are correct if the 82 is of like design, we have always allowed that. I just did not want Richard to invest a lot of time and money into a project that would not fit into a class where he would not have a competive bike. Thanks for straightening me out. BTW Richard on our homepage is a link for rules. The rules are a little outdated for this class , they say 375cc we changed that a couple of years ago to 400cc 1979 and older or of like design. Thanks for your interest hope to see you next year.............Tom
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Post by bigrichard on Feb 21, 2012 13:28:07 GMT -5
Found the rules, if I'm reading them correctly, 82 model year should be fine. . . . "-Minimum age for Vintage classes is 30." Hopefully that doesn't refer to the rider's age? But below that it does say "400cc Vintage, '79 and older, no age limit" So are vintage bikes limited to 30 year old bikes or only bikes from 79 and older? These are the rules for Street Stock dirt track cars back home. www.laraceway.com/2012%20Street%20Stock%20rules.pdfIs there anything similar for here? I want the best bike I can build but don't want to inadvertently break rules/cheat to do it. |
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Post by verticaltwin on Feb 22, 2012 8:13:39 GMT -5
Most vintage classes require the rider to be at least 30 yrs old, but the Vintage 400 class does not have that requirement. Vintage 400 class bikes can be '79 and earlier (or like design), but most other vintage classes are '75 and earlier (or like design, as in the tt500 or xl350 where post '75 models are allowed). I'm 43 and race in the Vintage 400 class on a '79 xr250, but thats the only vintage class my bike can race in.
As far as the "best bike you can build" it's hard to say... ask Snyder and he'll say a Bultaco 360/370. Two strokes are plentiful and cheap to maintain, but they can be a handful on a slippery track. A 2-stroke 250 is very competitive in this class. Arguably the best bike for this class without spending a lot of $$ would be the xl350 Honda. Ask Ray... he did very well on a stock one with the extra weight removed and dirttrack tires. Had some of the best races with him last year... bigtime fun! The 4-stroke singles hook up well and are very predictable. An xs400 twin is an interesting idea, maybe a bit heavy for the smaller tracks. Might be good on 3/8 or 1/2 miles though... hard to say. I haven't seen an xs400 flattracker before. Lots of xs650 twins though.
Good luck keep us updated!
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Post by bigrichard on Feb 28, 2012 1:31:51 GMT -5
VICTORY! ! ! ! Project 400/flattracker has spark! ! ! ! Now I gotta rig a throttle so we can hear her roar! ! ! !
Finally found a decently clear wiring schematic and hacked into the harness. Got things twisted together and working now! Going to rig up a small fuel tank and throw the carbs back on tomorrow or the day after.
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Post by bigrichard on Feb 29, 2012 23:18:44 GMT -5
Have spark, heard a sputter and rumble enough to know she'll run fine, cut the wiring down to the bare minimum, getting ready to cut extra weight off of the frame. Does anyone have any tips as to what I should and shouldn't cut off? Any modifications I should make? I have a pretty good Miller MIG welder so good quality welds aren't a problem.
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Post by bigrichard on Mar 2, 2012 1:35:14 GMT -5
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Post by kingkirk on Mar 2, 2012 9:17:58 GMT -5
no offence, butt~
your pics or my putter suck
keep on truckin man..grass roots.
kk#38k
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). Looking forward to talking with y'all.
