Vigo The Carpathian
XS400 Enthusiast
Hey all. New owner of an '82 XS400 Special here. Well, not really new. I've had the thing for 2 years, but they were mostly filled with cockeyed staring and speculation. Alas, aforementioned staring and speculation does not a bike build, so here I am.
I'll start with some photos, since nobody likes text anyway.
Before things were apart:
Now that things are apart(ish):
The XS750 tank I picked up and put on top of my furious daily driver:
The eventual plan that is, as of now, confined to photoshop. Although probably minus the clip ons and plus some tracker bars (after some long, hard thinking about what being a 6'2 dude on a small bike with clip-ons and stock controls might make my back feel like).
What needs done:
- Carb rebuild
- Brake shoes, front and rear
- New wheels (spokes and rims and rusted to hell)
- New wiring harness (the previous owners did kludge fix on top of kludge fix and I thought it better to get an unmangled harness off ebay and start fresh.
Now, for the questions:
-I'm looking to pick up a hoop for the frame, my problem being, as with most sites that sell them, is that the XS400 frame after the suspension mounts is quite wide and is not compatible with most sizes sold on various custom sites. The frame is 7/8" tubing, and outer edge to outer edge would need to be 9.75". I'm looking for a hoop with an upturned tail as well. Does anyone know of any folks who either sell a compatible size or would be able to custom make one? I don't have the equipment at my disposal or the know how of tube bending to make one myself.
-What product/abrasive would you all recommend for getting surface rust off a frame? As this is my first bike and definitely a budget enterprise, I don't have much interest in powdercoating the frame, but I'd like to get it cleaned up a bit before hitting it with some high temp black or something. I've heard CLR is pretty decent, but any opinions would be welcome.
-Anyone have any idea what this goddamn weirdo hook is? It was attached to my harness and was hooked to something towards the underside of the engine, but god knows what as it came off before I could see what it was attached to.
Many more updates and stupid questions to come, especially when I've realized just how little I know what I'm doing and start to post from the fetal position on my shop floor.
I'll start with some photos, since nobody likes text anyway.
Before things were apart:
Now that things are apart(ish):
The XS750 tank I picked up and put on top of my furious daily driver:
The eventual plan that is, as of now, confined to photoshop. Although probably minus the clip ons and plus some tracker bars (after some long, hard thinking about what being a 6'2 dude on a small bike with clip-ons and stock controls might make my back feel like).
What needs done:
- Carb rebuild
- Brake shoes, front and rear
- New wheels (spokes and rims and rusted to hell)
- New wiring harness (the previous owners did kludge fix on top of kludge fix and I thought it better to get an unmangled harness off ebay and start fresh.
Now, for the questions:
-I'm looking to pick up a hoop for the frame, my problem being, as with most sites that sell them, is that the XS400 frame after the suspension mounts is quite wide and is not compatible with most sizes sold on various custom sites. The frame is 7/8" tubing, and outer edge to outer edge would need to be 9.75". I'm looking for a hoop with an upturned tail as well. Does anyone know of any folks who either sell a compatible size or would be able to custom make one? I don't have the equipment at my disposal or the know how of tube bending to make one myself.
-What product/abrasive would you all recommend for getting surface rust off a frame? As this is my first bike and definitely a budget enterprise, I don't have much interest in powdercoating the frame, but I'd like to get it cleaned up a bit before hitting it with some high temp black or something. I've heard CLR is pretty decent, but any opinions would be welcome.
-Anyone have any idea what this goddamn weirdo hook is? It was attached to my harness and was hooked to something towards the underside of the engine, but god knows what as it came off before I could see what it was attached to.
Many more updates and stupid questions to come, especially when I've realized just how little I know what I'm doing and start to post from the fetal position on my shop floor.
Your bike looks to be an 81 not a 82. If the first three letters on the vin are 4R4 OR 4R5 it's a 81. The 82 starts with 14V and has the blacked out parts ie engine, carbs, fenders, forks etc. Good luck with the build can't wait to see what you come up with.
