Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! 
Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to 
What started as a build thread, surrendered to the masses for all your XR4 banter. Lots of good info here!
*Fork seal how to-------- pg 4
*Powder coating-------- pg 8
*Ground up resto-------- pg 1-30+
*Cylinder head porting-------- pg 6
*CF tank cover--------- pg 12.
*Heat emissivity (disappation)-------- pg 8
Future posts-
Wheel lacing/truing
Top end how-to
Valve adjustment
DC circuitry (lights, horn, brake lights, battery)
So I had started with a KLX300, AFTER riding it a bit, I realize that was a terrible choice. Then, I realize the motor is a ticking time bomb, and a rebuild x2 ensues. (See KLX300 CARNAGE thread) http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1326999#post1326999
So I sell the KLX, and then this-
I was torn between an xr4, and a 650l. I like the idea of a 650l because I could hop on, ride to Arkansas, ride trails all weekend, and ride home. Well... Kinda.
I like the xr4 because of the weight, power, looks, and the abundance of cheap aftermarket goodies. Some may argue the aftermarket for the 650l is just as good, but I say they're wrong. If you're one of those, say so, and I'll prove you wrong. .
So the question rises- what about the road manners? Well the xr400 can have them with the right combination of gearing, and motor. How much lighter, and better handling can you make a 650l? Idk but I know the xr4 in stock form is great for trails, fire roads, and logging roads.
I looked at what the majority of riding would be for me. It'd catch the most miles hauling me to work. I take a series of county roads for the 12 miles to work, with the exception of TX-64, just outside Tyler for about a mile and a half. The fastest I can legally go at any point is 55mph. The rest of it, will be exploring the VAST network of county roads, (most dirt) and trails that stretches all over Henderson county, and literally starts (for me) across the street. If I wanna take a trip to Arkansas and go exploring, the bike (be it an xr4, or an xrl) is going in the bed of my pickup, until I at least get to a motel, and what I'll describe as the center of the web of trails/roads to explore. I'm not gonna ride a dortbike all the way there, 650l or not. So.... Xr4 it is.
I've been searching for both for some time. Found some great deals, some insane deals, and also some head-scratchers. Why got me psyched about an XR was this one xr4 a dude brought to my shop for me to fix. The exchange went like this (in a nutshell)- (M-me/H-him)
M- Cool bike, what's wrong with it?
H- It won't start, I'm pretty sure its the carb
M- Okay, I'll check it out
(Testing, no spark, troubleshoot, bad coil)
M- Hey bro, your coil is bad
H- How much is it?
M- $30 for the coil, $20 to install
H- OK, I'll just come get it
M- OK
(2 weeks later on phone)
H- Man you sure its not the carb
M- Yes, its the coil, I tested it per the clymer book
H- Okay
So today I see it on craigslist for $1000. Still won't start. The new owner is at a loss, and just wants as much money back out of it as he can get. So I call him. He explains it doesn't have a spark, he bought it from a guy that couldn't figure it out. The guy replaced the stator, cdi, and put an XRs only mikuni pumper carb on it. I said okay... I'll come get it. (Already sold the KLX for 1500) go over, pay the guy a grand, he loads it up, and boom. I'm the proud owner of a Honda Xr400r, pumper carb and all. The carb has 0 run time, and isn't even installed correctly. Funny thing... The bike STILL DOESNT HAVE A NEW COIL ON IT. Its a 40 Honda part, 20 on eBay. Instead its got $400 in electronics, and $400 in brand new pumper carb. I bought the rest of the bike for 200. Lol
Build thread starting immediately following this important announcement.
So work begins at the start of my weekend... Lucky for you guys, MY weekend starts tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned, any advice, tips, FEEL FREE to interject.
*Fork seal how to-------- pg 4
*Powder coating-------- pg 8
*Ground up resto-------- pg 1-30+
*Cylinder head porting-------- pg 6
*CF tank cover--------- pg 12.
*Heat emissivity (disappation)-------- pg 8
Future posts-
Wheel lacing/truing
Top end how-to
Valve adjustment
DC circuitry (lights, horn, brake lights, battery)
So I had started with a KLX300, AFTER riding it a bit, I realize that was a terrible choice. Then, I realize the motor is a ticking time bomb, and a rebuild x2 ensues. (See KLX300 CARNAGE thread) http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1326999#post1326999
So I sell the KLX, and then this-
I was torn between an xr4, and a 650l. I like the idea of a 650l because I could hop on, ride to Arkansas, ride trails all weekend, and ride home. Well... Kinda.
I like the xr4 because of the weight, power, looks, and the abundance of cheap aftermarket goodies. Some may argue the aftermarket for the 650l is just as good, but I say they're wrong. If you're one of those, say so, and I'll prove you wrong. .
So the question rises- what about the road manners? Well the xr400 can have them with the right combination of gearing, and motor. How much lighter, and better handling can you make a 650l? Idk but I know the xr4 in stock form is great for trails, fire roads, and logging roads.
I looked at what the majority of riding would be for me. It'd catch the most miles hauling me to work. I take a series of county roads for the 12 miles to work, with the exception of TX-64, just outside Tyler for about a mile and a half. The fastest I can legally go at any point is 55mph. The rest of it, will be exploring the VAST network of county roads, (most dirt) and trails that stretches all over Henderson county, and literally starts (for me) across the street. If I wanna take a trip to Arkansas and go exploring, the bike (be it an xr4, or an xrl) is going in the bed of my pickup, until I at least get to a motel, and what I'll describe as the center of the web of trails/roads to explore. I'm not gonna ride a dortbike all the way there, 650l or not. So.... Xr4 it is.
I've been searching for both for some time. Found some great deals, some insane deals, and also some head-scratchers. Why got me psyched about an XR was this one xr4 a dude brought to my shop for me to fix. The exchange went like this (in a nutshell)- (M-me/H-him)
M- Cool bike, what's wrong with it?
H- It won't start, I'm pretty sure its the carb
M- Okay, I'll check it out
(Testing, no spark, troubleshoot, bad coil)
M- Hey bro, your coil is bad
H- How much is it?
M- $30 for the coil, $20 to install
H- OK, I'll just come get it
M- OK
(2 weeks later on phone)
H- Man you sure its not the carb
M- Yes, its the coil, I tested it per the clymer book
H- Okay
So today I see it on craigslist for $1000. Still won't start. The new owner is at a loss, and just wants as much money back out of it as he can get. So I call him. He explains it doesn't have a spark, he bought it from a guy that couldn't figure it out. The guy replaced the stator, cdi, and put an XRs only mikuni pumper carb on it. I said okay... I'll come get it. (Already sold the KLX for 1500) go over, pay the guy a grand, he loads it up, and boom. I'm the proud owner of a Honda Xr400r, pumper carb and all. The carb has 0 run time, and isn't even installed correctly. Funny thing... The bike STILL DOESNT HAVE A NEW COIL ON IT. Its a 40 Honda part, 20 on eBay. Instead its got $400 in electronics, and $400 in brand new pumper carb. I bought the rest of the bike for 200. Lol
Build thread starting immediately following this important announcement.
So work begins at the start of my weekend... Lucky for you guys, MY weekend starts tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned, any advice, tips, FEEL FREE to interject.
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