Kingcdogg
XS400 Member
New to the forum and to this style of bike. I picked up a 1980 xs400 with a little over 10k on the odo. Previous owner went to town with black paint so I'm going to have to add some color somewhere to break things up a bit. Was planning on getting one of Travis' hardtail hit, but believe I'm going to run the shocks on the rear for the moment, but still have it real low. Did some work today to it actually. I lowered the frame where the seat is, made some hardtail brackets to replace the shocks since my factory ones are not short enough, lowered the front forks, welded in new rear shock mounting brackets, chopped the headlights bracket, and bunch of small stuff. I'm going to need new front shocks since I'm sitting where I want it to sit and I'm about out of travel. Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated on that subject. Still got to make a plate for underneath the seat and put the springs on the seat as well as clean up and re run all the wires. Plan for the moment is to get it going for summer, then tear it down over winter and clean up all welds and repaint it. Most likely will be a black frame with root beer colored tins. Need to get a new rear fender and mount it along with the sportster tank I have on the way for it. The seat and rear fender are just sitting on the bike unmounted at the moment. Might as well use this as my project thread as well since I'm posting up pics of it.
Quick question for the pros other than the shocks. I am planning on putting pod air filters back on and junking the factory air box but noticed a tube going straight down from the rubber connecting hoses going from the carbs to the airbox. Looks like it's going down into tranny/engine case. Would I just need to block this off if putting pod filters on?
When I picked it up.
Today (6-11-12)
Some before shots showing the straight seat frame
After the lowering/rewelding of the back half of frame.
Quick question for the pros other than the shocks. I am planning on putting pod air filters back on and junking the factory air box but noticed a tube going straight down from the rubber connecting hoses going from the carbs to the airbox. Looks like it's going down into tranny/engine case. Would I just need to block this off if putting pod filters on?
When I picked it up.
Today (6-11-12)
Some before shots showing the straight seat frame
After the lowering/rewelding of the back half of frame.