OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Yamaha => Topic started by: James Lee on November 14, 2011, 07:39:45 am

Title: YZ400E
Post by: James Lee on November 14, 2011, 07:39:45 am
Hi,just bought a YZ400E,my question is does the YZ465 have allot more power,I rode a 465 and was quite impressed with the bottom end and also the way it reved,my 400 feels similar to a 250 but without the top end.I think it is jetted rich but I did expect more from it.When I shift early Im sure im hearing a ping.Im very happy with the bike otherwise.Any advise appreciated.Cheers,James.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: holeshot buddy on November 15, 2011, 08:03:25 pm
the 465 does have more power but not a lot more
if the 400 is set up and jetted correctly it will run great
i borrowed a yz400d 6 years ago for a thunder cross race (evo)
holeshoted and led most of the race was passed by brian flemming on a yz250h
and came second i was impressed with it shit brakes though ;D  ha
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: oldyzman on November 15, 2011, 10:39:38 pm
My 400D went quite well on dirttrackbut it did not seem to rev as hard as a 250.
Did you buy your bike from a guy near Eden?? Cause there was areally nice one there for sale a while ago
Brett
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: steveo247 on November 15, 2011, 10:58:30 pm
our yz 400E fly's..! Leaves the yz 250 k for dead in a straight line..

I dont know if it revs as hard as the 250 as my brain wont let my hand turn the throttle that far  :-[


Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: crossedup2 on November 15, 2011, 11:04:19 pm
James

What you have got for yourself an old style big bore.
Sort out the jetting, timing and most importantly the gearing.
They just love to pull from down low and not like hugh revs.
The reeds and porting aren't set up for top end transfer so learn to live with it. You won't regret it.
One other trick is to find a "D" swing arm and it's super competitive in the pre 78 class. The only obvious changes between D and E was the swing arm.

Good luck with it.

Peter B
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: JohnnyO on November 15, 2011, 11:07:49 pm
James

What you have got for yourself an old style big bore.
Sort out the jetting, timing and most importantly the gearing.
They just love to pull from down low and not like hugh revs.
The reeds and porting aren't set up for top end transfer so learn to live with it. You won't regret it.
One other trick is to find a "D" swing arm and it's super competitive in the pre 78 class. The only obvious changes between D and E was the swing arm.

Good luck with it.

Peter B
The lower fork legs are also noticably different between the D and E.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: Tahitian_Red on November 16, 2011, 03:43:53 am
Besides the swingarm and forks the frame is a little different on the E model (slightly lighter and the chain rollers mounted on the frame).
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: James Lee on November 16, 2011, 11:28:58 am
Thanks for the replies.I bought the bike from extreme VMX in Nerang on consignment.I just checked the timing and not sure exactly,I read a thread on it and the 2nd mark on the flywheel is inline with the pick up which is supposed to be right?I just checked the muffler and I think it was over packed.Ive removed some packing and tested in again and its still very boggy down low,I have to keep it in the rev range but it doesnt have much up top either.Ill check the jetting next.The plug looks clean still after about 45 mins riding time,so it must been lean.The 465 I rode had way more grunt everywhere than this 400,something isnt right.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: valleyam on November 16, 2011, 06:16:04 pm
James

What you have got for yourself an old style big bore.
Sort out the jetting, timing and most importantly the gearing.
They just love to pull from down low and not like hugh revs.
The reeds and porting aren't set up for top end transfer so learn to live with it. You won't regret it.
One other trick is to find a "D" swing arm and it's super competitive in the pre 78 class. The only obvious changes between D and E was the swing arm.

Good luck with it.

Peter B

Hi Peter
I hope I'm not high jacking the thread, but was interested to know why you would chose the "d" steel swing arm as opposed to the "E" aluminium arm. Is there some handling gain to be made. I have a 250E not the 400E
Cheers Andy
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: mitch75 on November 16, 2011, 06:48:48 pm
The YZ 400 D is a 77 model and can run in pre 78.
It has the steel swing arm and 78 alloy.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: crossedup2 on November 18, 2011, 01:50:56 pm
Mitch is right.

The E is not that competitive with bike like the H model. Apart from the minor variations between the D and E, the backwards move puts it at the end of the age group in pre 78.

My bike started as just a bare frame, no numbers stamped on it at all and no swing arm. I actually had a 250E parts bike so most of the critical gear went on to the frame. Got a swing arm from the states and a D and E motors evilbay, both in parts.

I suspect the frame had no number (and no sign of numbers) because I remember back in 1977 a friend had his 400 for about 6 weeks and the frame cracked. Yamaha replaced it at almost no cost. My frame also has a lot of welding all over it so it must be a general problem. I did notice that the engine cradel bracket bolts and all engine bolts need constant checking which would contribute to frame issues. So the truth is I can't tell if its a D or E frame.

It's a lot of fun to ride after racing mainly 125's for the past 3 years and I love the bottom end but miss the top end.

It won't be like a 465 / 490 in power, I have just got an IT490 myself and the power and top end it has is a completely different feel to the earlier 400.

Enjoy!

Regards

Peter B
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: mx250 on November 18, 2011, 03:08:01 pm


It won't be like a 465 / 490 in power, I have just got an IT490 myself and the power and top end it has is a completely different feel to the earlier 400.

Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Too much is too much if you can't 'get it to ground' in controllable drive.

If the only difference between the D and E is an alloy swing arm I can't see why the E can't race with the pre-'78's. An alloy swing arm would make 2/3rds of SFA the difference.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: James Lee on November 19, 2011, 07:16:19 am
Just had a look at the carb and the needle was on the most lean notch.I now have it one notch from the bottom and the bike is running way better,seems to have a bit more everywhere and a nice brown colour on the plug.Im happy with the way its going now.Im thinking of buying a new exhaust system,can anyone recomend one?Can I run this bike in pre 78 if I change the swing arm?
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: shorelinemc on November 19, 2011, 11:34:12 am
would have to change forks as well
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: cyclegod on November 19, 2011, 12:33:00 pm
Just had a look at the carb and the needle was on the most lean notch.I now have it one notch from the bottom and the bike is running way better,seems to have a bit more everywhere and a nice brown colour on the plug.Im happy with the way its going now.Im thinking of buying a new exhaust system,can anyone recomend one?Can I run this bike in pre 78 if I change the swing arm?

Here's two exhaust options

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DG-Yamaha-YZ-400-D-E-MX-Exhaust-Pipe-08-4413-/200670755141?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb8e8b945

http://www.geoffmorrisconcepts.com/23/online-shop/133-77-78-Yz-400-Chamber/

My recommendation is to buy local, that way if you damage it you can get it repaired local too.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: oldyzman on November 19, 2011, 04:57:13 pm
Another exhaust option is Les from mainly maico, he sells the profrom. just got one for my 83 CR. Yet to try it but it sure looks fast... Price for the chamber was aroung $300, plus the mufler
Brett
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: Iain Cameron on November 19, 2011, 06:16:29 pm
I recommend the GMC pipe got one on mine , magic .
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: ARN on November 19, 2011, 08:43:01 pm
i have a yz400d which has been raced for over 2 years solid other than broken gaurds it hasent missed a beat.
 i also have a gmc pipe and prefer it to the dg as the dg version for the 400 would have to be there worst pipe as it didnt follow the lines of the rear gaurd or tank, the gmc pipe fits neatly.
i did rebuild motor and with a bit of fine tuneing have won many hole shots on this bike even in the evo races ,there a great pre 78 bike ,very traktable motor .
just have to get an edge on them maicos some how
cheers arno 72
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: mboddy on November 20, 2011, 07:15:45 am
would have to change forks as well
What is the difference?
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: Tahitian_Red on November 20, 2011, 08:06:05 am
 more travel, longer tubes and two drain lugs at the bottom of each leg (dead give away).  ;)
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: James Lee on November 20, 2011, 09:14:32 am
I think Ill just run in the evo class,I wont be competitive anyway.Can I put 465 forks on my 400,Im sure they are longer and my bike feels very low at the front.I just clicked the link from cyclegod for the gmc pipe and it says he is out of stock,Ill give him a call during the week,hope there not too far away.The DGs are cheaper but Id rather a nice fitting pipe.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: tony27 on November 20, 2011, 09:41:45 am
Out of stock just means he needs to go do some work, I'm sure that most of his pipes are made to order
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on November 20, 2011, 12:45:15 pm
I put a DG on my 78 CR250 and also found the fit not as close as I was hoping for - and Geoffs stuff is good.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: ARN on November 20, 2011, 01:23:17 pm
the standard forks require air about 10 psi ,i have put heavier springs in mine which is heaps better. i have used yz f 1979 forks in my 250d which i ran in pre250 evo for a while they did improve it also, i think the 465 forks would be overkill .
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: GMC on November 20, 2011, 10:53:27 pm
I just clicked the link from cyclegod for the gmc pipe and it says he is out of stock,Ill give him a call during the week,hope there not too far away.

Yes, pretty much all pipes are out of stock at the moment.
I don't usually get to keep much stock as everything goes out the door as soon as it is finished so I mostly build to order.

I can usually build them within a few weeks from order, but at the moment I have bitten off too much for this year so I won’t be taking any more chamber orders to be finished this year.
When I catch up I will list some as in stock.
And yes you can always ask to have one built.
If you can wait to Jan. sometime I can knock one up if you can wait that long.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: number 87 on November 24, 2011, 10:03:44 am
Quote
If the only difference between the D and E is an alloy swing arm I can't see why the E can't race with the pre-'78's. An alloy swing arm would make 2/3rds of SFA the difference.

'77 - D = 5 SPEED BOX
'78 - E = 6 SPEED BOX

Plus lots of other little differences

#87
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: yzhilly on November 26, 2011, 08:44:13 pm
I have fitted YZ250H forks to my YZ400E and it made a huge difference  they are a bit long and i run about 60mm above the top clamp ,My swingarm has been extended by about 50mm where the axle mounts this was done by a previous owner who had it set up for enduro . Good fast bike just put fuel in it and ride
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: motomaniac on November 26, 2011, 08:57:57 pm
Quote
If the only difference between the D and E is an alloy swing arm I can't see why the E can't race with the pre-'78's. An alloy swing arm would make 2/3rds of SFA the difference.

'77 - D = 5 SPEED BOX
'78 - E = 6 SPEED BOX

Plus lots of other little differences

#87

Thats the 250 not the 400. The 400 has 20mm more overlap on the forks  ,an alloy swingarm thats about 1/2" longer and the frame is Chromemoloy instead of steal so its a bit lighter , plus the hubs are a bit lighter. The motor has only a slightly different piston but if you run a wiseco they,re the same - evrything is interchangable.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: James Lee on February 22, 2012, 07:48:04 pm
I just checked the jets and the main is a 330 and pilot 45,I have an old parts list and it says the main should be 360 and the pilot should be a 60.With todays fuel being different would these numbers still be correct?I would think it would need to be richer.I ran the bike at bmcc on the weekend and the bike was pinging its head off,someone noticed my base gasket was hanging out so I had to pack up for the day,I would think that would have caused the pinging?Ended up being loose cylinder nuts.I really need to get this bike running right.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: JohnnyO on February 22, 2012, 11:57:12 pm
The leaking base gasket would've had a lot to do with it pinging. Those jets will be in the ballpark as they always came from the factory too rich but you may need to try a bigger main jet to be safe.
My bikes were a bit lean at Nudgee also but run fine at other tracks
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: James Lee on February 23, 2012, 09:22:19 am
Thanks JohnnyO.Just fitted a new base gasket so hope all will be good now.My local dealer says they dont sell jets as all bikes are fuel injected now,what a load of crap.Does anyone know where I could find a air filter cage for this bike,Im having no luck finding one
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: mainline on February 23, 2012, 09:11:38 pm
I found the cage to be one of the hardest parts to find as they usually got tossed with the filter. If you get stuck it's fairly easy to make one to suit the filter using wire
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: Viper666 on February 24, 2012, 09:04:59 am

NOS filter are still fairly easy to get and they come with the cage. At least the 2 I bought did.
If not I will check to see if I have a good SH one.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: James Lee on February 28, 2012, 09:17:53 am
That would be great Viper.Ive tried doing the ring around but no one seems to have any of these filters left.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: Viper666 on March 01, 2012, 09:39:02 am

Sorry, should have said through alternate suppliers.
Title: Re: YZ400E
Post by: Viper666 on March 13, 2012, 11:23:33 am
Sorry, dont have a spare but if I come across one I'll let you know

Here is a NOS air cleaner, check it has the cage with buyerhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Element-Air-Cleaner-Part-1W4-14451-00-00-NOS-/150457279602?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2307f3e472&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Element-Air-Cleaner-Part-1W4-14451-00-00-NOS-/150457279602?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2307f3e472&vxp=mtr)