Its alive ! Almost finished 81 XS400 Cafe Racer pics and video

[TroyXS]

Fantastic looking bike! How about a picture of you on it? I'm kind of having a hard time visualizing the position of your legs with the exhaust exit. I like the set-up and would consider something similar, as long as I know I wasn't BBQing my leg.

 

[riotten22]

Fantastic looking bike! How about a picture of you on it? I'm kind of having a hard time visualizing the position of your legs with the exhaust exit. I like the set-up and would consider something similar, as long as I know I wasn't BBQing my leg.

There are a couple of you tube videos not sure if that gives you a good enough view of my legs or not.
back of the pipes are totally fine and the sides dont really get close unless you put your knees to the tank.

 

[Stevo]

no kidding, ya thats a close call! per your build spreadsheet looks like you maybe got new spokes also, i had been thinking of sanding all 72 of mine, but after polishing the triple tree for a week, i am definitely going to buy new spokes.

Can you please tell me about the foot rest/controls, those are great, did you have to modify to get them mounted?

Thanks,
Stevo

 

[TroyXS]

Sounds amazing to me. Just the right level of throaty-ness and a nice rumble at idle. Great job on a solid looking build. Props for the google doc on your build too. Trying to source the parts for a Maxim build now and that was a big help, at least for ideas.

I don't know if its the echo from an open garage but the pipes almost sound like when you slap your hand at the end of en open pipe and you get the reverb noise. I like it!

 

[riotten22]

no kidding, ya thats a close call! per your build spreadsheet looks like you maybe got new spokes also, i had been thinking of sanding all 72 of mine, but after polishing the triple tree for a week, i am definitely going to buy new spokes.

Can you please tell me about the foot rest/controls, those are great, did you have to modify to get them mounted?

Thanks,
Stevo

Spokes are stock, Steel wool and polished every one of them. I did have to cut off part of the passenger foot peg and drill a hole for the pegs to mount to.

 

[riotten22]

Took some of the last pics of this bike Guy from Hawaii saw it on ebay and after his check clears next week it will be on a long journey to Honolulu. Sad to see it go but I need to fund the next project / toy.

 

[Stevo]

Nice pics man, must be bummed! Love those Firestones! Can wait to get mine, may order them this week.

I havent been able to get any response on the rearset controls, dont happend to have an email or other do you?

Thanks,
Stevo

 

[riotten22]

I havent been able to get any response on the rearset controls, dont happend to have an email or other do you?

Thanks,
Stevo

I just contacted him on the Dotheton forum private message option.

 

[Stevo]

I received my front tire Firestone Vintage 450-18, man I hope the stock from rim pulls the tire bead in enough to fit between the wide part of the shocks/forks, it fits now not on the rim.... but just by 1/4" each side, I get it mounted tomorrow. You have 400-18 on your front, same tire i believe just a 1/2" less in height, did you have any issues with fit on front?

Thanks,
Stevo

 

[riotten22]

Sure the 450 doesnt have something to do with the width ?

 

[Stevo]

I mean it fits now putting just the tire between the shocks, not on the rim, I know the rim will pull the tire in about 1/2" each side...but then the tube may push back out......hmmmm?

Stevo

 

[riotten22]

I know 400-18 fit no problems on the width the rear is where it was really close with my 500-16

 

[Stevo]

Sh#t, i hope not, the list like H.450-xxx so i'm assuming its height, but that will push the bubble part up towards the fat part of shocks...i'm thinking it will fit but when the shocks compress the bubble of the tire may rub...well i guess i'll find out tomorrow...i wonder if Summit would let me exchange if so...

 

[Stevo]

Man been sanding hubs for 2 days, was hoping to get a look on there tomorrow, just to make all that work worth while....find out then...

 

[Stevo]

Hey Nick - your bike was an 81, mine is an 80, so you say your 500-16 Coker was very close on the rear...but it did clear the tire yes? I am getting ready to order a 450 or 500 for rear, i would prefer the 500 if it clears... can i get your opinoun on it?

Thanks,
Stevo

 

[riotten22]

Hey Nick - your bike was an 81, mine is an 80, so you say your 500-16 Coker was very close on the rear...but it did clear the tire yes? I am getting ready to order a 450 or 500 for rear, i would prefer the 500 if it clears... can i get your opinoun on it?

Thanks,
Stevo

I would go 450, 500 didnt seal very well on the rim and it was really close to the chain.

 

[AMR-XS400]

Hey stevo, how did the 450 fit on the front? did you go 450 on the rear?

 

[riotten22]

Hey stevo, how did the 450 fit on the front? did you go 450 on the rear?

400 on the front 500 on the rear, Rear really should have been a 450 it was tight and didnt completely seal on the rim and was really close to the chain. 400 fit fine on the fornt as long as you dont plan on running a front fender.

 

[AMR-XS400]

ok, so 450 is to wide for the front?

 

[riotten22]

ok, so 450 is to wide for the front?

I honestly dont know, didnt try a 450