Shady's '81 XS400 Cafe Racer build

asadam1

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Hello everyone!

My name is Adam, but I go by Shady. I am 20 years old and am currently a college student from Ohio. I've been lurking around this forum for awhile and just recently pulled the trigger and bought an '81 XS400. I picked up this bike with hopes of turning it into a cafe racer for a school project. I am not super knowledgable when it comes to working on bikes but I hope to learn as I go!

This is my first motorcycle I can officially call mine and I super excited to start working on this bike. I have a few weeks until this project is due, and I hope I can finish in time with all of the school work I have going on. I recently broke my foot so I hope it won't impair me too much during this process.

My plans are to get the bike running, rebuild the carbs (if it needs it), repaint the frame, create a custom made seat, among other things.
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Welcome to the forum!.good luck with the build AND the foot
As for the "...clean the carbs if it needs it..."part,it does,it will.
Not a matter of if but when...
 
Update: I currently have a new battery, Seat, Carb rebuild kit, Air filters, on the way (should all arrive by Thursday). Currently I have the gas tank, carbs, battery holder (not pictured), off the bike.
 

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Decide to do some cleaning since it was a beautiful day outside. Here are some before and after cleaning pictures. Since I don't have most of cleaning supplies here at college I went and bought some some degreaser, and chrome polish for the engine. Anyone have any product recommendations or methods I could use in order to get my engine looking cleaner like the bottom image?
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Finally got her started, rebuilt the carbs, and installed the new battery. She was running harsh at first and I completely drained the battery, when I first got her running. Now she starts pretty smoothly and pretty quickly. Only problem I am having is that the bike revs up really high when the bike is started, anyone know what could be the cause?
 
Haven't posted any updates in awhile because I was busy finishing up the school year, as well as healing from my broken foot.

I have been busy mainly cleaning different parts of the bike and polishing everything up, as well as tuning the carbs. I finally was able to take the bike out for a few joy rides but I really need to get some new tires before I go out again because they are dry rotted. So, since I won't be riding for awhile I decided to take apart the bike completely, minus the engine and the electronics, so I can clean everything better and get to the spots I wasn't able to before.

In the next few days I think I will be repainting the frame, gas tank, and engine. I've never painted a motorcycle before so does anyone have any tips on how to paint, what I should do to prepare the frame, gas tank and engine, and what paint I should be using for these different parts? Also, I want to do something with the exhaust because it is rusted out and has some holes, I also do not want to buy a new exhaust because I do not have the money at the moment, has anyone cut of the mufflers and recommend it, or have any ideas on what I should do?


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