98 XR 400 service (uk)

[kristian1ify]

Hi just got my xr 400 and I am gonna do a service before use.

Any thing to look out for?

What oil?
What plugs?

Regards

[phil w]

It is advised on the XRs to use mineral oil and change it at the correct intervals I do mine at 1000 kms (600 mile), now using castrol GTX 10/40
Plug is NGK DPR8z

[Mauser]

Just done mine with genuine oil filter from flebay, cleaned tube filter and stuck Silkolene Semi-Synthetic in her, good enough for the ZX12 sure it will be fine for the 250 . Not done plug yet but would go with stock.
Didn't venture down to the lower screen behind the cover .

[jasonbc]

Hi just got my xr 400 and I am gonna do a service before use.

Any thing to look out for?

What oil?
What plugs?

Regards

Got to be worth doing a valve check if you've only just got it

[kristian1ify]

Hi there, once it's serviced I will take it to a professional to look at for, valve etc as I am only an ameture mechanic and I can only do basics.

Any one know roughly how much to repair a buckled wheel? And fork seals?

Cheers everyone for your advice

[jasonbc]

Hi there, once it's serviced I will take it to a professional to look at for, valve etc as I am only an ameture mechanic and I can only do basics.

Any one know roughly how much to repair a buckled wheel? And fork seals?

Cheers everyone for your advice

When you refill with oil dont screw the dipstick in push it down as far as it will go without screwing in then take the reading.

CAn't remember how much i paid for fork seals but i had K-TECH rebuild mine and custom setup it wasn't much more than £100 inc postage if i remember. Search the XR's Forum i did put something up when i had it done, i then had the rear shock done by them.
Depends which way it's buckled left to right or egg shaped. Left to right you might be able to pull it back just by tightening the spokes up.

[stretchy]

You don't need to be a pro to measure the valves, jeez it's easier than changing the oil and god knows what someone will charge you: takes all of 5 mins to do!

1, Change oil, forget any fancy stuff as it will make the clutch slip and it's very expensive. Stick to manufacturers recommended viscosity. I just use cheap stuff and change it often. Take the bike for a blast first so the oil is warm and will flow easier.

2, New oil filter.

3, New (or clean/re-oil) air filter

4, New plug (or clean and re-gap)

5, check the valves (very easy!)

6, I'd take the drive chain off and check for stiff links. Wheels for worn bearings and loose spokes + a general sniff round with the tank, seat and panels off.

Get someone to unbuckle the wheel for you.

The fork seals are very cheap and fitting is about as difficult as changing the oil! I bet they charge over £50 to fit them!

Save yourself some money + learn a bit about your bike, I'm sure you wont regret it.

Have fun!

Oh don't forget to check the timing chain, you'll have to look this one up but it's VERY IMPORTANT.
This often gets overlooked and this failing will wreck your engine.
And...............Check the swinging arm and suspension, difficult to do unless you strip it but as long as everything is moving and not squeeking!

[Mauser]

Check the swinging arm and suspension, difficult to do unless you strip it but as long as everything is moving and not squeeking!

Shame there wasn't a grease nipple fitted to the linkage.

[kristian1ify]

Thanks guys I'll defo give it a go.

[416cc]

Both Haynes & Clymer do very good manuals for the XRs...well worth buying.