First Motorcycle.

[pgerber7]

Hi guys/gals I'm Phillip and I'm new here and to the bike world. Sunday the 6th I bought my first motorcycle!!! It's a 1980 XS400 Special II with 7400 on the odometer! I picked it up off a long time friend for $500. It needed brakes, grips, the carburetors gone through and some tlc.

Here's when I bought it


After a good wash and some light polishing


Today I Plasti Dipped the tank and the side covers. I think I rushed it a little too much it has a more texture than I was hoping for but its not like it can't be removed!

 

[Travis]

Hey Phillip, Welcome. The bike already looks a lot better than when you picked it up!

I saw the remove before flight tag and thought you might live in VA. I scrolled up to see your location and bam, I was right. VA is the only place I've seen them, but I would assume they popular in other parts of the country near Air Force bases.

 

[iamunique127]

Welcome Phillip.
Your wash and light polish made a huge difference. Nice work.
I like the look of the plasti-dipped tank and side covers. I did the badges on my truck and it holds up well.
The plain seat is cool as well.

 

[xschris]

Welcome to the forum Nice ride.

 

[Scorpio1963]

Welcome to both worlds xs400 site and yamahas.You picked a great starter bike that's for the most part fairly easy to work on if you have the mechanical apptitude.As for your plastic dipping I say spray on a nice layer of clear coat and call it good.I think it should turn out well.So other than paint what other things did/do you need to do to the bike.Does she run good and are you going to keep it stock or modify for a custom look?Make sure and check out the thread for first time motorcycle check list.Good luck and welcome to the newest passion of your life.

 

[DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[pgerber7]

Hey Phillip, Welcome. The bike already looks a lot better than when you picked it up!

I saw the remove before flight tag and thought you might live in VA. I scrolled up to see your location and bam, I was right. VA is the only place I've seen them, but I would assume they popular in other parts of the country near Air Force bases.

Honestly I'm not sure where I saw that the first time I just thought it was cool, and I wanted something thin so it wasn't a hassle in my pocket. As far as Air Force the closest I come to that is my Cousin but he lives in NorCal.

Welcome to both worlds xs400 site and Yamaha's.You picked a great starter bike that's for the most part fairly easy to work on if you have the mechanical aptitude. As for your plastic dipping I say spray on a nice layer of clear coat and call it good.I think it should turn out well.So other than paint what other things did/do you need to do to the bike.Does she run good and are you going to keep it stock or modify for a custom look?Make sure and check out the thread for first time motorcycle check list.Good luck and welcome to the newest passion of your life.

I would like to do a cafe style bike. I don't really want to hack up the frame too much. But defiantly a seat change and tail light change for sure. To get the bike running all I did was change the oil and put fresh gas in it. I've been riding it for the last 3 days with out any major issues! The carbs need to be fine tuned for sure but other than that it starts right up and runs great!