Mickey85
XS400 Enthusiast
Hi guys. My name's Matt, and I just found myself the owner of an '81 XS400 Special II that I stole off craigslist for $400...well...I hope I stole it.
I pick it up tomorrow, and for the present moment, just have the photos from the CL ad:
According to the seller, it was bought new at the Gary, IN dealer in March 1981 and was used to commute between Valparaiso and Gary until it was parked. The license plate says 1987. It hasn't moved since then. Her husband had been sick for a decade, and died last year. She just wants it gone.
A quick look over, and it seems like it needs a cleaning and would be ready to go - all the rubber appears at least good enough to start it, and the motor turns over really easily - oil appears new-ish (well, as new as 30 year old oil can look), and the gas tank sounded dry when I knocked on it. Didn't ask to crack it open. Even the tires are crack and dry-rot free. Of course I'm changing them though.
So anyway, that's what I'm working with. I want to keep it nearly all original, or original-style. Maybe upgrade it for driveability - electronic ignition, etc.
A bit about me - bought my first car, an '83 Olds Delta 88, when I was 14. Built and installed an Olds 403 and a Buick Grand National trans for it, installed police-spec Caprice suspension and ran mid-12's in the quarter by the time I was 16. I still have the car, but it's a far cry from where it was. I guess I'm buying this as a precursor to restoring that...
Motorcycle-wise, my first and only bike has been an '03 Buell XB9R. Fun bike, but not too comfortable, and I'm looking for something that's more "daily driver" to take to work and back and putter around the area. I've always loved UJM's, and I couldn't pass up a time capsule for $400.
Anyway...hi!
I pick it up tomorrow, and for the present moment, just have the photos from the CL ad:
According to the seller, it was bought new at the Gary, IN dealer in March 1981 and was used to commute between Valparaiso and Gary until it was parked. The license plate says 1987. It hasn't moved since then. Her husband had been sick for a decade, and died last year. She just wants it gone.
A quick look over, and it seems like it needs a cleaning and would be ready to go - all the rubber appears at least good enough to start it, and the motor turns over really easily - oil appears new-ish (well, as new as 30 year old oil can look), and the gas tank sounded dry when I knocked on it. Didn't ask to crack it open. Even the tires are crack and dry-rot free. Of course I'm changing them though.
So anyway, that's what I'm working with. I want to keep it nearly all original, or original-style. Maybe upgrade it for driveability - electronic ignition, etc.
A bit about me - bought my first car, an '83 Olds Delta 88, when I was 14. Built and installed an Olds 403 and a Buick Grand National trans for it, installed police-spec Caprice suspension and ran mid-12's in the quarter by the time I was 16. I still have the car, but it's a far cry from where it was. I guess I'm buying this as a precursor to restoring that...
Motorcycle-wise, my first and only bike has been an '03 Buell XB9R. Fun bike, but not too comfortable, and I'm looking for something that's more "daily driver" to take to work and back and putter around the area. I've always loved UJM's, and I couldn't pass up a time capsule for $400.
Anyway...hi!