Today before I went to ride, I checked my oil, and it was only on the dipstick about an inch, but I figured since I had just changed the oil, that I hadn't topped it off enough. So I filled the resivoir up to level, and cranked it up. Right when I started it, I noticed quite a puff of smoke (much more than usual) so I shut it down. The first thing I did was check the filter...CRAP. It's not even on! It must have come off at broken spokes! I don't see how...the hose clamp thing was still on the filter and clamped around it tightly. I'm thinking it was probably a hard landing, or maybe a carb backfire? So now, I have to do a top end rebuild, which normally wouldn't be so bad, but since it is already bored to 416, I have to have it resleved. Guess the recon is gonna be seing alot more seat time for the next couple weeks.

 

I thought only Yamaha had air filter problems. I assume it was laying in your air filter box. I hated the design on my 300 ex because you could turn it around on the flange even when it was tightened down. Mine never came off though. I even pointed it out to the Honda dealer. Sorry about your motor. Is it running bad enough that you can't ride it?

 

No it runs fine. A little less power, but I'm gonna fix it. I'll just have to keep a quart of oil with me when I go riding. I can't believe that my 2001 400ex will be on it's third piston...thats the same as my friends blaster!

 

Sounds like some of the luck I've had lately but I wont even go there for fear it will come back!

I'm probably going to get the 400EX in another month or two, could you give some more details on the three (after this) rebuilds. Is it something you caused or a possible defect?

 

i dumped some heavy duty quaker state SAE 30 in mine and my brothers 400EX's bc they were low and i and a friend wanted to ride. They run fine thank goodness. It would be better if i was in alaska with that oil [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

This will only be the second rebuild, and the first one that was needed, not for performance...the 1st piston was stock, 2nd was my 416, and this will make a 3rd. It's just one of things that happens though...It's like the bumper sticker in Forest Gump...

 

HA HA ! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Thank you very much...I'm not worried, I should have it rebuilt by the 15th.

 

the ex is famouse for burning valve guied seals change those to when you take it apart...