Tall Rider OK on XS400?

cinco

cinco

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I'm 6'3" 225 lbs and wear 32" inseam/long pants. Am I gonna fit or look awkward? :shrug:

I've never had a chance to sit on an XS400 and I'm interested in one a few hours away.
Plan would be some sort of bobber/flat-track hybrid - no real plans yet. It will be modified - so no plans to keep stock. I'd prefer to keep the controls somewhat as mid-controls - I like a more upright stance.

Any pix you all would be willing to post to show size comparison (give your height please)?

Should I be looking for something else? Any suggestions what I could do to make it more suitable?

Thanks for your help and advice:thumbsup:
 
hey i'm about 6'3" as well, the first picture is of me on my bike, kinda hard to see because of the funky angle. knees are up kinda high but i fit on there...the second is of my friend who's about 6', better fit i think..sorry i don't have a pic of my leg on the foot rest or anything.

DSC_5099.jpg


PIC-0035.jpg
 
Sweeeeet! Thanks dakatosmoll! That's perfect and gives me a much better idea and reduces some of my second guessing about going and looking at this bike tomorrow.

I saw another post where someone reported seat height was 31-32" from ground. So I'm guessing I'm good to go even if I lower the seat a bit.

Purdue University eh? I owe you a boilermaker:cheers:
 
I'm 6'3", 230#, 34" inseam. no problem. No pics of me on the bike...I'm always taking the pictures. I have ridden as much as about 200 miles in a day...sore rear, but no stiff joints.

I don't know if I look awkward....wait, I always look awkward....so probably not the best example.
 
I'm 6'0 and 215 and I don't have a problem with the size of this bike. How I look to others may be another matter. I was following a guy down the road yesterday and thinking how small his bike looked. It was a Harley Sportster. Didn't pay too much attention to his size but the bike looked small under him.
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for your help... And... I bought it and I'll make it fit! 1980 XS400 Special II funky wire-spoked drum brakes and all. Man this bike is really growing on me...
 
cafedan said:
you got any photos?
Click to expand...

Just tried and camera batteries were dead...

Too bad as I could have also included my skinned up knee when she threw me off! Damn that front drum is all or none - glad I was only in first gear and tooling around the dirt lot - lol...

I'll post pix tomorrow...
 
cinco said:
Just tried and camera batteries were dead...

Too bad as I could have also included my skinned up knee when she threw me off! Damn that front drum is all or none - glad I was only in first gear and tooling around the dirt lot - lol...

I'll post pix tomorrow...
Click to expand...

needs adjusting properly, which is tricky with TLS drums
 
Hiya drewpy!

I was gonna wait on an intro with pix, but I'll post those tomorrow...

This is my first XS400 and have fallen in love with its unique looks. Its an 1980 XS400 Special II that's a "runner" but in somewhat rough shape - a good project. The PO lost the seat and went to look at an XS650 seat and ended up buying the 650! I was looking for a good simple Japanese bike to bob/chop/flat-track and think I've found it! This bike is just so, so... its hard to describe the reason but I dig it...

I ride dual-sport bikes and live in a rural area with ton's of great hard-pack and gravel roads in the Ozark Mountain foothills - simply beautiful back road riding! So I'm kinda digging the dual-sport flat track idea (whatever frankenstyle it might end up being) ...

Drewpy and others... I like the look of the drum brakes, but my first pick would have been dual disc (front/rear) set up with the mags. Truth be told that first dump caused by the front drum kinda tainted me even more - ha ha...

I'm gonna try and lurk a while longer and learn from you guys before I start posting up all kinds of crazy requests in my swap research. I've got a project 1980 Suzuki GS850 that has dual discs up front that might fit as a fork/disc/wheel swap- hmmmm...

What'ya all think about a swap of some kind? Are the drum spoked 18" front and 16" rear sought after items if I swap?

Cheers - Tim
 
Last edited:
I just remembered I forgot to post up pictures :confused: - getting old I guess! :doh:

Before shot - but after a pressure washing. When I took primary cover off there were 1 inch rocks, mud and thick grease. Its definitely a "30 footer":laugh:

YamahaXS400014.jpg


After initial cut job and now in the drink a whiskey or two, or three, or... well ya know - sit and stare and conjure up a plan...:D

YamahaXS400031.jpg


Cheers fellas and thanks for all the help so far...

Tim
 
drewpy said:
that front end sure looks sweet! looks a nice clean bike :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ya killling me drewp! I love the look of the drums - but, I'm scared to run 'em for a couple of reasons...

Just not sure I can get them adjusted right to trust my life to them... She already dumped my ass with a full lock up and unexpected stoppie:laughing:

To do it the way I want, I would need new spokes, lace, true, powdercoat and have the future need for new drums... Just seems like a crap shoot for long term cost. I wanted it to be a low cost runner. But, we all know they seldom cost us what we think!
 
I have never heard of drum brakes causing the problems you describe; they should be less powerful than discs and I am surprised you locked up the front so easily. My bike has double drums and I have no issues. The front drums can be adjusted on the front drum itself. You could also try lubing the cables. Are you an experienced rider? What condition is your front tire in?
 
bcware said:
I have never heard of drum brakes causing the problems you describe; they should be less powerful than discs and I am surprised you locked up the front so easily. My bike has double drums and I have no issues. The front drums can be adjusted on the front drum itself. You could also try lubing the cables. Are you an experienced rider? What condition is your front tire in?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the problem was with the brake springs being out of spec and waay to loose - as far as I could see. The shoes were within thickness spec, but the springs appeared to have been reused and original. They were streched past spec and to the point, that they would allow the shoes to constantly rub. This combined with the fact that the PO had appeared to dirt ride the crap out of it and then it sat likely caused excess drag (?) - dunno.

YamahaXS400033.jpg


YamahaXS400034.jpg


I haven't tried lubing the cables - if I keep the drums, I'll definitely take your advice or get a replacement.

Tire appears to be relatively new Speedmaster type and was inflated.

I ride dual sports so somewhat experienced and was only feathering the front when it grabbed and locked up. Being I was only going about 5-10 mph, there wasn't alot of momentum going to overcome the shoe grab - I guess:shrug: However, I will not rule out the dumbass factor as being a possible cause:D

bcware - how satisfied are you with the drums? Do they stop adequate? Do you "feel" safe? I ask as I've only had full disc bikes - so I have no base line. How easy was it for you to adjust the front so both shoes engaged at the same time - as simple as following the service manual or did it take some trial and error?
 

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