XL350 valve retainers

[ola_martin]

Just bought a XL350 motor in parts, never seen the inside on one of these before. One valvespringretainer is missing, the other 3, and all bottom plates is made of dark anodized aluminium, is this stock or aftermarket??
Thanks

[sudman]

After market.

[ola_martin]

Thanks, please also educate me a bit:

- Guess it might be different valvesprings also if it's aftermarket keepers, where can I get new ligthweight keepers?

- I see that it's possible to linebore the head and use needle bearings, (some supersmart engineexpert has glassblasted the head including bearing surfaces   ) Guess it'll have a hard time keeping oilpressure...
Will I then need a special camshaft, or can the one I have be used in the bearings?

- How is the bearing closest to the sprocket mounted, two halves? Or is it not possible to replace?

- I think I have a aftermarket cam, if I post pictures and dimensiones of the lobes, can someone tell me if it's stock or not?

- I heard that it's possible to bore in a wiseco XR400 piston, will this fit whithout any further mods? Valvecuts, pin etc?
   (XR400 1996-04 86,00 o.d 10,1 compression)

Thanks!

[Neilios]

Drop me a PM with your e-mail address and I will end some info across, just done a few engines recently.

[ola_martin]

Thanks, email sendt!

[matcho mick]

Ola,every man & his dog beadblast their heads,did 350 head tonite,no biggie on cam bearing faces ,as long as was fine glass medium used,will be ok,

[ola_martin]

Ok, thanks, planned to try anyway, I guess it's only the parts already damaged that will take a beating?

Does anybody know what it takes to get the XR400 piston in?

[52]

Sleeve, bore cases and more. Then if you are not really good it Will end in tears. 86mm is plenty.

[matcho mick]

Ola,don't use genuine honda XR400 piston, comps 1 atsmosphere too low,need wiseco hi comp piston for matching XL's piston deck height,(or higher?),on the subject of pistons,the piston in my old motor measures 86.45,has HA BEIND ST cast on the inside,has 'std' on top with the usual ex valve clearance indent,anyone know what it is?,

[SUZUKI311]

i have come across some gasket sets for xl350k motors if anyone is interested they will be cheap.

[matcho mick]

pm sent,

[ola_martin]

Thanks, probably better to go for a piston ready for the XL350 from xlint or something then. Was just that we deal Wiseco at work, so I could get a good price on the XR400 86mm piston...

[matcho mick]

Ola,go the wiseco XR400 86mm,it's 10-1 comp equates to std deck height comp ratio on XL350,unless you want more compression?,then Xlint's the go,

[80-85 husky]

Hi Guys, thread hijack but i have come accross an XL bored to 420. Apparently the piston "slopped sideways in the bore" and that they all did this sounds like a load of cr*p to me.

bike is for sale just wondering waht the general availability of early xl stuff is?

[Swiss]

No the big bores don't all "slop sideways" in the bore.  Sounds like a lame excuse for ignorance!  MOST parts are available, though many not OEM from Honda.  Crank bearings have been discontinued, if you go to the local Honda dealer or the online parts distributors you will find a lot of "no longer available" parts in the listings.  Honda and others do this on many of the older bikes.  The crank bearings are problems because they were "custom" for Honda and the standard number on the bearings will NOT match up to the actual bearing specs.  Some rebuild replacement solutions have come up using different bearings and sleeves in order to match the fit.  Basically many aftermarket parts are being used to replace no longer available stock parts.  Probably about like building on a BSA.  How many stock factory parts are left for them?  Suppliers generally step up if there is enough market demand to make it a profit situation.  Buy valves here and springs there and pistons from someone else.