New Guy From MN Saying Hi

Hi everyone. I just picked up my first motorcycle, a 1978 Yamaha XS400-2E. I'm converting it into a cafe racer, the guy I bought it from has already done some work to it to convert it. I'm glad I found this site, it has a lot of resources that have already been really helpful.

Mechanically it is sound, the guy I bought it from did a lot of work on the engine, so most of what I need to do is simply cosmetic. It usually starts up right on the first kick.

My plan is to update the lighting, and I heard if you go LED lights, you need to change the relay so that the electrical system doesn't get wonky. I've also spoken to an upholster about redoing the seat into a solo cafe racer seat, plan is to do a fully upholstered bump, black leather with double diamond pattern on the seat. He quoted me around 350 for it, but he won't have time to do it till next month some time. I've been shopping around for seats, but it looks like nothing is made specifically for this bike, so I'd have to buy a universal seat and alter the frame a bit, and I'm not sure how that would work, since I'm so unfamiliar with customizing a bike.

I'm also looking to get the tank cleaned up and give it a nice matte black finish, I'll most likely just get rid of the decals altogether. Also want to get some shorter mufflers and paint the exhaust matte black as well. One thing I'm trying to figure out is the back end of the seat. I have seen people install the hoop in the back after cutting a bit of the frame. I'm looking to get a tail light that will fit well with a hoop once I install it, since the one that's on there now is subpar, and the guy used zip ties to hold it on. I also need to find some nicer looking turn signals.

One question I had, was where do people usually hide the battery? It's under the seat right now, but I'm not sure it'll fit once I install a cafe racer seat. But anyways, I'm happy to be on the forums, and hopefully I'll get to meet everyone. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions about the bike. If anyone is in the SE MN area, I'd love to hear if you've found some good shops, or upholsters/painters that are good with these bikes.

Also, for those that have purchased universal cafe racer seats, what kind of dimensions did you decide to go with. I've been looking at purchasing universal size hump seats from a few different sites, but I want to make sure they are the right size before i put down 150-300 dollars.

Oh my if that was mine I would leave it just like it is and run it............that is one sweet looking bike the way it sits now.

This is a beautiful bike! If you decide to alter your exhaust, which I would not, please keep me in mind for a possible purchase of your original mufflers. I love the look of the bike as is. I just purchased the same model and I am trying to restore mine to original!

spectra said:

Oh my if that was mine I would leave it just like it is and run it............that is one sweet looking bike the way it sits now.

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I was just looking at the seat profile and got an idea to add a 'glass extension back into the seat area, cutting down the seat pad thickness into a cafe seat. I have 2 spare seats so I might mock one up...also allows a spot for battery and/or electronics....hmmmmm.

Yours looks similar to where I want to go with my 80 XS400. Mine has been stalled the past couple years because of other priorities but I'm starting to get back to the project. Personally if you're not going back to stock I'd continue dechromeing with flat black and use Heavy truck bed paint on the tank & seat. I'd also leave the seat pad like it is and move the battery to an ammo can mounted on each side like saddle bags. Then I'd make a set of side covers out of diamond plate to hide the air filters & move the ignition switch to the left one. That's been my plan for mine leaving the exhaust pretty much stock except painted flat black & with different baffles. Also where are you located. I may have a few parts for you if you want from my 80 parts bike. And there are a couple others here from Minnesota

When I saw the bike on Craigslist, I immediately called the guy and told him I'd buy it. He held it for me for 5 days till I had the time to pick it up, since it was 2 and a half hours away. I rode it for the first time today. It was a nice ride, which I white knuckled the whole way, since it was my second time ever riding.

I've ordered some exhaust wrap, DEI titanium, the goldish brown color. I also ordered some 18in black megaphone mufflers to switch out for the stock ones. I do like the stock mufflers, but I'm doing away with as much chrome as I can. Not original, I know, but I don't like the look of chrome.

I've been calling a bunch of places to get quotes on a paint job for the tank. I want to do it myself, but I am incapable of painting without royally messing up. I wanted to get matte black, though I am getting attached to the red and gold accent, so I might get a repaint of that. But the places I've called are either not able to paint my tank for some reason, or want like 500+ dollars for a paint job, which seems a bit high, not to mention that's half what I bought the bike for.

I'm down in Fillmore County, in Peterson.

Anyone know what dimensions would work for a universal cafe seat for this bike? It seems like it has a wide ass compared to some of the other bikes, so I'm thinking I'm going to have a harder time finding a seat that fits.

Welcome, I would leave the tank just like that. Too many people take good tanks and ruin them with whatever paint jobs they attempt. Get another tank that has really bad paint and work with that. If probably get a used seat pan or a wrecked seat also and keep the original like it is. You never know when you might want to go back or possibly sell the bike down the road. Original parts cost more and will keep the sale price up.

The orignal tank on my bike is the centerpiece for sure! The color pops and people love it. I also love the 70s feel and I think Yamaha did a good thing with their color themes that they did in the 70s.

You can get a bare seat pan cheaply and youll be able to work with that.

lol Id also pass on the exhaust wrap. No one seems to do it right and it ruins your exhaust..

Very nice bike though its pretty clean.

While we all appreciate the beauty of original equipment bikes, many feel the same as you. Making the bike "your own" is a great feeling, and you will get to your bike better. People have been doing this since the first wheeled vehicles hit the road. I used the cheap cafe hump seat on my last bike, they are plenty wide,but, know that you will have to modify your frame to get it to work. Good luck and enjoy! ....and I meant what I said if you choose to get ridof your stock mufflers let me know!