XR400R valve adjustment

[@cateszach15]

really like how you explain everything so well man. very informative.. just bought a Honda XR400R this video helps a lot

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

cateszach15 thank you. It’s a good bike, you should have fun with it.

[@outlawpat8038]

Just got mines too. It’s a beast

[@dakotabenson6626]

You’re an American hero Tom thank you for helping me fix my bike!

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

This is the kind of comment I love to hear. Thanks for watching!

[@mitchmacklenar5234]

Badass vid, easy to see and follow without a bunch of extra be, I appreciate it!

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Mitch Macklenar I try to include some BS, glad it wasn’t excessive. 😂

[@wadepalmer6871]

I'm having the same issue as this guy is, hard start, won't idle with choke open. Real informative videos

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Hopefully it helps!

[@wadepalmer6871]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures working on it now, thanks

[@wadepalmer6871]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures did you ride " Desert Dash " put on by SDAR ?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@wadepalmer6871 yes, there’s a video on my channel

[@wadepalmer6871]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures I was part of the sweep team the last 5 yrs of it, me a 3 buddies, they all rode KTM,, I stuck with the 400

[@chiliboom6140]

Thank you for the vid! Very informative and helpful!

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Thanks for watching.

[@HartfordHD125]

Informative video. I have the feeling i may be performing this task on my Honda soon......Thanks !

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Glad to help, the XR400R is a great bike and fairly easy to work on. Basic maintenance will keep it running a long time. Enjoy!

[@dogsy5150]

Thank you for your uploads. I've learnt a lot from them. Your explanation of how things work is great.

[@jspreparednessandself-reli4856]

New subscriber here! Really like the channel wish I lived near you! I have three bikes hard to find a good mechanic. I have had to become one out of necessity! 😂

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Thanks, I work on a lot of stuff so hopefully you can find things that help. You can always message me as well, I like to help.

[@djcurdislameisaliveandwell1367]

Take the spark plug out to make it easier to turn the motor over and keep it from moving off TDC.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Absolutely, pure laziness on my part. 😂

[@Andrew-sv3ck]

I avoid taking the plug out of my XR like the plague, super annoying. Have to use the exact right size u joint with a 17mm machined down by my buddy.

[@macgarymusic]

​@@Andrew-sv3ck is it a 17mm? I bought a new plug and tried to change it but couldn't get any sockets to fit in there lol. At least the new plug is 18mm.

[@danodbdb]

Excellent vid. Thanks!

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

danodbdb glad it was helpful for you.

[@lisaking6733]

Nice PBR signs

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Lisa King thanks, it’s my garage beer of choice.

[@lisaking6733]

Name’s John ( Lisa’s husband), workin on my XR400R now. Thanks for the video. Big help.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Lisa King always great to hear the video was helpful. Ride on!

[@chiliboom6140]

For those who haven’t done a valve adjustment, make sure your engine is cold. I’m sure there’s a recommended X amount of time per books. Someone else in comments can tell you how long they wait for theirs.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

That’s a good point, if I didn’t mention it in the video I should have.

[@brettkovak6344]

Nice Demo.!! Thanks !

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

brett kovak hope it helps. I like these Honda’s, simple to keep running.

[@deanadams349]

It looks to me that on the video the timing mark he is using is the wrong mark as I cannot see the ‘T’ beside the mark on my 2002 the ‘T’ is on its side make sure you get the right mark spin it right round past the mark he is using

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

You are correct, you should see a sideways T. Probably can't see it very well on the video, I am shooting another one now installing a big bore kit in a 400EX which is almost the same engine.....very hard to see that mark on that video too.

[@tkmusa5211]

Tom, good video. Have you ever replaced the valve seals?? Think I need to do that on my xr. Thx!!

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

tkmusa5211 not on the XR400R, but I have on others. It’s not too bad but gotta pull the cylinder head.

[@djcurdislameisaliveandwell1367]

You can do valve guide seals without removing the head. Use compressed air to keep valves from falling into the cylinder and a spring compressor tool. Actual valve guide replacement requires head removal.

[@FloridaDualSport]

@@djcurdislameisaliveandwell1367 thx Brian

[@1176hambone]

Is it the line just in front of the sideways T?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Yes.

[@1176hambone]

Roger that. XR400 EX is .12mm +/- .02mm. I made .13 "Croak" resistive sound on shim pull out because feeler gauge has no .12mm. And tried .15mm no-go and .10mm easy. IN is light resistance drag on .10mm and no-go on .8mm .... checked twice after tightening nuts. Also checked free play by hand twice. I will check again after test run. Finishing up annual service of suspension, wheel swinarm linkage Bearings, new clutch basket, new disks and brake pads, disassembly and tolerance check of oil pump, new chain and Sprockets. Thanks for video.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@1176hambone have fun riding!

[@anthonyaguirre9504]

Did it start?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Starts up 1-2 kicks cold!

[@anthonyaguirre9504]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures still have it or did ya sell it

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@anthonyaguirre9504 I gave it to my son for about two years, when he moved I got it back and passed it along to a friend of mine.

[@anthonyaguirre9504]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures nice that valve job must have done wonders any other mods?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@anthonyaguirre9504 just cleaned and dialed in the carburetor. It’s been a good bike.

[@Fieldyfan94]

What is that thing you had the carb in?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

I don’t remember the entire video, but it was probably the ultrasonic cleaner. You can buy one at Harbor Freight or online, great to have for cleaning carburetors.

[@Fieldyfan94]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures what exactly do I need just water? Or is there some concoction I put in it haha

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@Fieldyfan94 I use pine cleaner but there’s a bunch of different secret sauce options people use. Well worth having!

[@Fieldyfan94]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures thanks. I have another question when I adjust the valves and set it to tdc and the T mark on the flywheel why is one set of valves down? Is there a certain stroke where they are all up?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@Fieldyfan94 turn the engine over one more revolution. Then they should all be closed,

[@AhHereWeGo]

What feeler gauge set are you using? I can’t find a 0.12mm, closest i can find is .127mm

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

That will be fine.

[@dirkjudson9407]

Thanks nice clear explanation. Great learning for me

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Dirk Judson hope it helps, have fun working on your bike.

[@brettkovak6344]

Dirk Judson that was explained nice and clearly wasn’t it? Huge help! Now it makes much more sense.

[@rileysenecal8178]

Any chance you have experience with changing the cam chain on these bikes? Also do you know if these bikes have a oil pump chain?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

I have rebuilt one a while back, so a little familiar with the engine. 99% certain that the oil pump is gear driven.

[@rileysenecal8178]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures I have a 99 xr400 that I bought 2 summers ago. Since the day I got it I always thought the cam chain seemed loud. It definitely has abit of a tick. I've tried many things to diagnose it. I've tried adjusting the cam chain tensioner while it's running and it doesn't seem to do anything when I tighten it, it does get louder when I loosen it. I've tried adjusting the valves many times I'm actually doing it again as I type this. I'm not sure what to try at this point

[@rileysenecal8178]

I should add that I've ridden it quite alot with this ticking noise. But recently it seems to be getting louder and I'm losing confidence in it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@rileysenecal8178 well the cam chain tensioner is automatic, not sure how you’re adjusting it? Unless it’s been replaced with an aftermarket manual one. Cam chain replacement isn’t too difficult, parts are probably not expensive either. Might need to inspect and replace the chain guides as well.

[@rileysenecal8178]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures it is spring driven but you can take the cap off and turn it manually while it's running to test it. Do I have to take the top end off? I'm kinda mechanically inclined but most of my experience is with vehicles. Hardest thing I've done to a motorcycle is the KLR doohickey mod lol

[@project4stroke876]

do i have to drain the oil first?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

killer death52 no need to drain oil for this check, but I tend to do it in conjunction with the oil change.

[@gabrielolar3222]

Hi Tom great video say in one of the three XR400 videos you mentioned the guy was missing the snorkel on the airbox. So you duct taped it to close off air flow. How did you finish off that part? Just curious cause I'm working on one now and I noticed that when I removed the duct tape the bike was harder to start.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Gabriel Olar I eventually got a complete air box. Otherwise you can rejet for the open air box which means bigger main jet, move the needle up, etc.

[@gabrielolar3222]

Ok cool I just got the snorkel for my airbox so it will be OEM. Then I'm gonna try the 60/160 jets combo you mentioned. By the way thanks for the quick reply!

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Gabriel Olar I hope it works out for you. Altitude can effect the jetting as well, I’m close to sea level so just another thing to consider.

[@gabrielolar3222]

I'm at sea level also....DUDE, I put the snorkle on the airbox last night just wanted to observe if it helped the hard starting stock pilot jet in there... it was unbelievable the bike would not start unless I masked that intake off by at least half... that is the most finiky bike I've ever worked on... I cant wait to try the 60 pilot jet, I was just too lazy...down with a cold...

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Gabriel Olar I’ve heard some people just can’t get them to start reliably while others have no issues. Great bikes but obviously need to be jetted right. Good luck and hope you feel better.

[@robertlang3367]

My xr 400 has like 4 different marks on the flywheel how do I know for sure what one is the right one

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

It should look like this. | T |

[@robertlang3367]

Thanks Tom, I noticed some oil pooled up on the exhaust side is that normal or do I need valve seals replaced?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@robertlang3367 if there’s oil in the exhaust port, it’s likely the valve seals

[@djcurdislameisaliveandwell1367]

@@robertlang3367 You mean oil when you take off the covers? Normal. Rocker arms and adjusters need oil for proper function.

[@robertwilson7959]

on some other valve adjustment videos they took out the spark plug is it needed?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

robert wilson good question. Removing the spark plug makes it easier to turn the engine over. It’s not required, the XR400R engine has an automatic decompression cam so it turns over easily.

[@robertwilson7959]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures thank you

[@iangriffiths9930]

Looking to buy an XR400 here in the UK, any advice on what I should look out for to spot a bad or good bike? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Ian Griffiths the nice thing about the XR400R is that it’s simple. Just look for obvious damage (mine has a bent rim), check to see if you notice smoke while running, etc. I don’t mind if plastics are rough, that’s easy to replace. The engines are very solid. I hope you find a good one!

[@iangriffiths9930]

Thank you for the reply! Can I ask if there is a problem with the front suspension? I’ve seen a few 400s now with CRF450 and CRM 250 front ends? I’d rather get a stock bike really but hard to find a stock clean bike

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Ian Griffiths stock suspension is good, its just old school. People like to update it. Mine was changed by the previous owner.

[@theboss9788]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures if it starts smoking and heating up when your driving, what does that mean?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

THE BOSS that sounds like you’re jetted too lean.

[@theboss9788]

Is there a way i can hook up a led light to my xr 400r without a battery? Also i started having a problem with my bike, when i drive a top speed it just kills and i have to wait a while to start ot again, not sure if ita not getting enough fuel or what, do you have any idea why it mogjt be doing that?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

+THE BOSS I would think an LED light should operate without a battery. I might suspect a fuel filter for your running condition, or perhaps the float level set too low?

[@theboss9788]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures when i first got it it drove just fine at top speed, but i recently had the carburetor cleaned and pit in different jets, and it was the the first time i rode it top speed after that that it started killing, so i think im going to take the carburetor apart again and fix that, but can the LED light connect directly to the motor like the original light? Lol, im not a mechanic so i don't know to much about this stuff.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

THE BOSS I’m sure an LED light will work, I have one on my XR.

[@theboss9788]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures which one do you have?

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

THE BOSS the headlight is just some cheap Chinese one.

[@RideWithTheWolf]

He never started it for us grrr! :D

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Oh snap! 😇

[@protectork9831]

Lose is better than tight - that's what she said

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Protector K9 😂😂