XS400 Build Is Back! Engine Diagnosis & Build Planning!

[@firestorm755]

Life happens, things get in the way. I think your on the right track with your bike builds. Smaller capacity affordable bikes that are well sorted. Always look forward to watching your videos.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Phil, lots of life has happened lol

[@vintageyamahasquid]

The XS400 really is a special bike.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It should be fun!

[@sixfive0cycle]

I am so excited for this project since I am currently working in an XS400!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well I hope I can help with ideas and info for your build

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

I had one of these in the late 80s. You brought back memories, tnx !!!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I need to finish this thing up asap

[@roum22]

Been looking forward the continuation of this build..

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Same here man!

[@SoddingaboutSi]

I had an XS400 back in the early 90's. It vibrated and was a bit temperamental but I loved it. After 250's it was powerful and had good torque.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I've yet to hear or ride a 400 so I'm super excited

[@DocJonesGarage]

Life happens but I do gotta say I'm exited about this build, looking forward to it!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Truth! Im excited too. I plan to keep this one low stress and high fun!

[@Ninja13400]

Thank you Sir..it was so informative!! Happy to discover ur channel!!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Happy to have you!

[@bushidoal916]

'Help me Wanda, Help Help me Wanda....' Nice one dude. 😉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤘🙏

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Can't get that out of my head now lol

[@bushidoal916]

@@BrickHouseBuilds You're welcome....😖😖🤣

[@kencreten7308]

Very cool. Noticed the minibike in the warehouse, and as it panned - disc brake? Cooooool. I definitely need to listen more to Captain hindsight.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Oh yeah 😎 Thats actually a modern doodlebug mini that I'm made into a hot rodded vintage bike. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5anp5iBodqpgs0

[@roamingearth915]

The biggest thank you ever given :) Just bringing it out is awesome. I'm back in the shed. Thanks man, very best

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏🙏

[@hardie4462]

I just subscribed to your channel! I have the exact same bike you are building! My husband gave it to me a few years ago as my beginner bike. A previous owner has made it look like a military bike and I will continue with the build that way. My husband and I restore classic cars and I am learning mechanical. I have my own classic cars I work on and learn on, but I am really fascinated with motorcycles! As soon as I get some guidance from my husband, I will be getting my 1980 Yamaha XS400 named Yard Hawk up and going! Can't wait to learn how to ride! I am saving up right now to buy a Honda CB350 or 360. I enjoy your videos and love learning from them!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats awesome! I love bikes and cars but they are different disciplines for sure. Just have fun with it!

[@robertboyer5498]

YES! I've been waiting for this one. 😁

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@Einherjar_17]

Excellent video, looking forward to seeing the development of this project, thank you very much for sharing!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I appreciate it 🙏

[@darrennoonan6147]

Very promising results with the compression numbers , lots of potential looking forward to the next video.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Definitely stout numbers and very promising

[@davidrowan6019]

Been waiting on this , have to get a move on with mine , full rebuild with the engine as I bought it in boxes , looking forward to the next video.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Im tempted to do a rebuild but simply because I find it fun. No need to get crazy though. I love the direction your bike is going!

[@davidrowan6019]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Haven't been at it for a while , other chores and setbacks with the engine have got me down a bit but hopefully getting that sorted this week. Winters coming lol .

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I like those old machienes. Rebiuulding my turbo 750 kawi now. Have many more.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

That will be a riot

[@miguelpagansr6128]

Can’t wait to see what you do with it hopefully another simple bobber build.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

This will be along a brat/Cafe style but simple for sure

[@vmaxmercer]

That is just a plain cool build..love it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks!

[@Retirement_Life]

Looking forward to this build. I’m considering doing exactly the same! 😜

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Should be a fun one!

[@r6dave807]

Keep it up BJ! Sweet content and great builds. I’m constantly drawing info from your channel for my XS650 build.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks! Gonna keep jamming away

[@christophercummins4946]

I really enjoy watching your videos very professional I think that little xs400 would make a good little scrambler just a thought God bless you my friend keep yourself safe

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Oh it would absolutely make a great scrambler! Parallel twins of this capacity are about perfect

[@DIYwithUncleCy]

I will be watching this set more closely now. While I am working on my KZ650 (I bought the X21 from you recently for it) I also have a GL500 (read CX500 of course) so may do another build. You got me hooked my friend. Oh and currently the GL is my daily rider.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Im a bad influence 😉

[@braedenbutler4838]

Love the content man, and also your if its not broke don’t fix it attitude. I hope you make a video on shortening the forks, im looking to do that myself. Thanks!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I appreciate it and definitely plan to make a dedicated video on the forks as that will be a handy one for many people

[@IrnMaiden304]

I sold both my running project 1982 XS400 Maxims months ago, figures now I'd see this 😆.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Sorry 😅

[@IrnMaiden304]

@@BrickHouseBuilds They sat for about a year, and I got tired of moving them every time I wanted or had to do something in the garage, just to have the room to do so. Down to one bike now from 5, that all I have to do is ride and maintain, it's not like I won't be bit by the project bug ever again 😁.

[@grahamhider3754]

I be watching this project. Cos thinking about buying one. To make a flat tracker. All best from England 👍❤️🔧🏍🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Great flat tracker candidate!

[@peterwilson8797]

I had a USA import XS400SH. Lost the spark. Converted to points from an earlier model. Ran for years and sold as a runner.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

That was actually my plan here to backdate the ignition or even go aftermarket electric

[@andymiller5611]

That's already looking quite nice in its current state so once you've breathed your magic over it, it'll look and go better! Thanks also for the brief lesson on how the starter worked - very informative! Excellent video, as always fella! Keep it up! 🍻🤘💜

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you liked it!

[@MotoMango]

So the starter was seized and you fixed it by hitting it with a hammer? haha amazing!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well not seized by corrosion but moreso crud that developes from the brushes and grease breaking down. Common on stuff and usually a quick disassembly and cleaning makes them work like new.

[@robwinter4173]

i ofter wondered what was behind the casing on bikes,thanks,rob

[@jimclarke1108]

The mini bike would be great video, so would the Benelli 6😁

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I'll do a mini bike video probably but the Benelli must wait longer

[@jimclarke1108]

I think the Benelli is a collectable bike? worth plenty $$$ restored🛵

[@jogeshsharmavlogesudhampur174]

Cool.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It definitely will be

[@buddhabeeapiary7413]

I just started this exact bike and was wondering what manual are you using??? I need it lol side note the detail of your videos is superb amigo

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you! I have a haynes manual for this one

[@NuvolariF1]

BJ, it needs a hone and might as well re-ring it, if you haven’t done so.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

No it will be fine for intended use and build level. My previously seized cb750 runs flawless

[@NuvolariF1]

@@BrickHouseBuilds 👍

[@faibersw16]

I need other system ignition . You have idea ? Good job From colombia

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Search the exact part numbers you need on ebay if you want OEM

[@chema1546]

Ok 👌👍 super

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

👍

[@sammoore8730]

Looking forward to more videos. Are you still going to convert to points?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I think Im just going to go with an electronic ignition option. I very much could do points but I feel a wiser move is the electronic kit

[@sammoore8730]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Cool. Not quite there yet with my build but looking at options.

[@robertadams4415]

Interested in in everything you do

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘 thank ya

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Hard to. Find you. YT sucks now. Got my turbo rebuilt. My local bike shop is gone no help there. Will be riding ny turbo bike soon.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I wonder why that is. My latest videos haven't been very popular due to simply what they are on so YT isn't showing my other videos to people as much which could be why you aren't seeing mine.

[@ANTHONYLAWSON-ge9oh]

daaaaaang a starter? how nice is that? lol

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

The Rolls Royce of xs400s lol

[@DavidT778]

I've been meaning to ask, at the start of each video the audio of the motorcycle riding by during your intro/logo scene, what kind of bike is that? Did you make an exhaust for that bike? It sounds amazing, like an old Le Manns racer.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you for asking that! The sound is from a Yamaha XS850 I did that I made a 3 into 1 system for. It sounded amazing. The link is to that actual video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4u8q6qliNNmars

[@DavidT778]

@@BrickHouseBuilds thankyou!

[@robertcollins4685]

I too like the idea of just getting it running, so on a 80 gs250, 80psi is too low? But where can you get rings for old bikes? Tried local shops and cmsnl, but no std rings. Know of anywhere else? Thanks

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

If it has been sitting a long time the rings may be stuck and not expanding to the cylinder wall. You could also have leak down at the valves. A leak down test would tell you what's going on for valves or rings. Try the oil like you see me do here and if it jumps a bunch it may just be rings. My cb750 had 80 on a couple cylinders and I never did a rebuild. After a couple hundred miles they are all 160+

[@bc-mr1si]

good video. did you ever finish this project 🤔

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

No I have a video or two after this one still but unfortunately the project fell off again.

[@bc-mr1si]

@BrickHouseBuilds where are the other 2 videos.🤔ah not so good.would be good to watch you getting on with it .maybe someday 😃

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@bc-mr1si they are all organized into a playlist. Head to my videos section and everything is there.

[@bc-mr1si]

@@BrickHouseBuilds great fella thanks 👍

[@dariuszklingenberg360]

Hello, I am at the stage of building a caferacer from the Honda CX500 and I am asking if the front fork from the ducati monster 620 will be appropriate? (in terms of height) the wheels in this project will be 17 inches. I am asking for advice

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I replied to your emails this morning on that actually

[@thebiker2655]

Did you run pod air filters What main and pilot jet did you use

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

This bike is still being built

[@thebiker2655]

@@BrickHouseBuilds good luck with the build can not wait to see the end result

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@thebiker2655 I've posted more videos after this one so check out the playlist to get caught up. Getting engine parts back today

[@Mo_G]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏

[@trinas7131]

You can almost fit a small batery in that starter bay, just saying ;D

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Tempting! I don't think my girlfriend wants to Kickstart this thing though

[@trinas7131]

@@BrickHouseBuilds On the bright side she can skip leg day, at least for his right one :D Too bad this isn't a HONDA bike, you could change the tank letters to "WONDA" ;)

[@oldgeeser]

Where do you find your parts like pistons and other engine parts ?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Partzilla, cmsnl, ebay, dime city cycles, old bike barn, etc. Lots of options

[@oldgeeser]

@@BrickHouseBuilds wow. Thank you. I’ve been a subscriber now for a few months I guess and I really love the content. Mostly ride a 08 Harley but I’m not a Harley snob I have a 750 and 900 virago and an xs750 yamaha and a 440 Kawasaki all jap bikes are varying degrees of projects and your channel had a lot to do with me wanting to work on them. Thank you Brent.

[@andrewtodd5016]

What possesses you to use that depressive crap music, stops me watching.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yeah I need to do better at knowing exactly what every potential person on the planet wants to hear. My bad

[@Up-hill-Battle]

All of that for a compression check 😓🫡

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Sorry to provide in depth videos

[@Up-hill-Battle]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I saluted you. It wasn’t a dig

[@Up-hill-Battle]

Hence the emoji, if you didn’t see it. I watch all your videos, man. You’re an amazing wealth of knowledge. I know you probably get a lot of commenters who dig. I wasn’t doing that. I’m actually working on a bike right now and your videos have helped out tremendously! I have a comment on another video of yours asking you a question. If you get around to it I could really use your insight. Thank you for the content 🫡

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I appreciate clearing that up. I just took it different which is the problem with text. Thank you though and I'll look for that other one

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It looks like I had already replied to your question a couple days ago