New Rider and First Bike... Will need lots of advice with future modifications. lol

[dwhite0729]

Hey everyone, I'm Daniel from Mississippi. I picked up my first bike at the beginning of the year... 1981 XS400 Special. I've always wanted a bike, but never had the extra cash to get into it. I picked up this gem for $1200 off craigslist. The previous owner had completely gone through this bike's engine, trans, new wiring, new rubber, and new paint. I've made a few mods to it, wanting to go for a blend of a cafe racer and a brat style bike. I shaved the seat and recovered in brown, new clubman handlebars, matte finish on the tank, stripped the airbox covers and chain guard, new low profile turn signals, new LED taillight with turns, and new halogen headlight with LED turns and headlight visor... more to come. let me know what ya'll think.

 

[jthiessen]

Welcome to the forum - looks like you got yourself a pretty tight ride there!

Do you have any history with customization? From what I can tell you did a great job on the seat.

Also, what do you have for headlight/lens/bucket/visor I like it!

 

[dwhite0729]

Hey thanks! I really don't have any professional experience with mods, just some hands on experience with old cars. lol. After watching a few YouTube videos and a turkey carving knife later, I carved the seat down significantly (still using the original seat pan) and recovered with brown vinyl from a local fabric store.

As far as the headlight - I kept the stock bucket and cut the adjustment out of the chrome headlight ring in order to fit a 7" headlight bulb. Just a $50 headlight from ebay.

I picked up the visor from ebay as well. $12. Came together pretty good though.

Got a better pic of the seat before and after.

And didn't mention the black mufflers and titanium pipe wrap.

 

[XSstudent]

New seat looks better. Well done.

Posted via Mobile

 

[dwhite0729]

Thanks! Been thinkin of making a super slim brat type seat too...