'79 XS400 Cafe Build

[unleashedlive]

Quick update as my bike has gone off for paint! Finally!

New shocks on order
Carb kit on order
Seat on order
Need to make/buy a super slim battery still

It's all going to get done for Aug 18th, there's a big street party for the paint shop doing the work. Super excited!

Here are some images before I stripped it down to send to paint.

 

[got20z]

looks great. Nice work!

 

[Petew]

Looks great, I am doing a similar seat. Did you 'glass your own?

 

[unleashedlive]

Looks great, I am doing a similar seat. Did you 'glass your own?

It's all metal, no fibreglass in the seat

 

[Petew]

It's all metal, no fibreglass in the seat

Very nice, very talented fabricator.

 

[unleashedlive]

It begins!

 

[xschris]

I have heard some bad things about those rfy shocks. Ends would break off and such.

 

[spectra]

I have heard some bad things about those fry shocks. Ends would break off and such.

Debbie Downer you are

 

[xschris]

I had a set of them that I think I paid like $70 shipped. I never road the bike with them on it and sold them for what I paid. They seemed a bit stiff on a lightened xs400 but without riding on them I will never know for sure. As for replacing oem shocks the more you spend the better you will get. The $500 real deal ones these ripped off will work like a dream and can be rebuilt if they wear out. You also can have springs with the correct rates put on them from the factory.

 

[unleashedlive]

Thanks for the insight guys! Still keeping the stock ones handy, I'll see how these do.

 

[got20z]

I have some RFY shocks on my bike. I have put about 700 miles on it with them on. No problems so far.

 

[Petew]

Thanks for the insight guys! Still keeping the stock ones handy, I'll see how these do.

My brother has these shocks on his Suzuki Scrambler and swears by them! I was planning on a set myself but I got gifted a brand new set of shocks from Dime City.

 

[unleashedlive]

Tank getting done. Wheels are in.

 

[unleashedlive]

Tomorrow is an adventure in wiring and getting her up and running again.

She goes on display at a local show on Saturday!

 

[unleashedlive]

 

[esmith87]

Hats off to you man........ want to do mine next?.... haha

 

[motoTrooper]

Congrats on achieving the vision. Needs more pics!

 

[unleashedlive]

Thanks guys! Here are some more photos. I still have a bit of work to do to get it on the road.
- was having clutch cable issues, almost like the level on my bars isn't pulling it out far enough. Not exactly sure
- leak in the front brake cylinder, needs to pull it apart and re-check my seals.
- wiring...oh god the wiring...had it running a few weeks ago but I forgot how I wired it up haha.

 

[RZor82]

Real piece of beauty! Very nice!!

What kind of clutch/brakelevers do you have on there? Do you have a close-up/link? Looks amazing!

 

[unleashedlive]

Thanks!

The rearsets are universal, something like this Speed Moto Co Solid Rear Set Motorcycle Universal Rearsets Cafe Racer Bratstyle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJHKP6I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_eh.FBbXYHQ0GD

On both shifter and brake side I bought some older (99-10) vstar linkages and modifies then to fit. Still playing with the shifter side a bit but it should work ok, there just not a lot of room around there.

I can post some more pictures this weekend.