The greasey fingers build :)

[bcware]

I do like the wire wheels too. They're both good!

 

[xschris]

It's nice to have options

 

[Greasey Fingers]

Cool more progress Ground off all the caliper mounts and had my mate weld on a tab for the drum brake stabiliser bar. Put the wheel into the swingarm just to make sure everything lines up before I proceed putting a finish on it. Everything looks good so now ive just got to clean the swingarm right up and decide on a finish Weld don't look so pretty now but ill sand it a bit, and its underneath so no ones going to see it anyway once everythings mounted

 

[Greasey Fingers]

Oh yeah does anyone know what this tab is for? (the one with the red circle around it) because im probably gonna cut that off, doesn't look like it does anything at all

 

[briansal]

On my bike which is has a complete stock set up in the rear it is unused.

 

[Greasey Fingers]

Sweet thanks for confirming, thats what I thought, ill just grind that off then. I wonder if it was ever used for anything, why did the factory weld it on it must off had some use?

 

[xschris]

It was used for a wire and hooks to hold up the rear tire if you are working on the bike with no shocks on it. I think

 

[bcware]

They're useful little holes for those that want to mount a hugging rear fender like I see on a lot of choppers and bobbers.

 

[Greasey Fingers]

Yeah that's true could be handy, Ill think about it first before I hack it off, lol!

 

[Greasey Fingers]

I decided to get rid of the clubmans. I went for a long ride the other day and they were killing me by the end, my wrists were in pain. Not enjoyable to ride at all! I want the bike to be comfortable. So I threw on some flat bars I had lying around.

They are definatly a lot more comfortable, anyone got any opinions on the look of flat style bars? Good or bad, honest opinions appreciated. I still haven't decided what style bars to go with.

I think I am not going to go for a café look at all because of the comfort factor, I don't really want to introduce rear sets at this stage.

 

[bcware]

I ended up switching from wanting a cafe look to a more tracker look. Let me tell you; it makes all the difference in the world. It still handles great and I am not in pain after riding for an hour.

The flat bars look good. It's a good compromise between a high bar and clip-ons.

 

[Spad]

Greasey Fingers, You're the one who is going to be riding the bike...Looks fine from my point of view. I especially like the special rock for the side stand...Be comfortable and enjoy the good looking bike you are making. Spad

 

[drewpy]

Oh yeah does anyone know what this tab is for? (the one with the red circle around it) because im probably gonna cut that off, doesn't look like it does anything at all

its for the double ended S hook you get in the tool kit.

I used it on the standard bike. it lets you remove the rear spindle to clear the exhausts.

 

[Scorpio1963]

The tap your referring to might be the stock muffler mount maybe?

 

[Greasey Fingers]

its for the double ended S hook you get in the tool kit.

I used it on the standard bike. it lets you remove the rear spindle to clear the exhausts.

Too late, I already took an angle grinder to it lol

 

[xschris]

After 15yrs of owning a xs400 I have never used them for anything. Cut them off

 

[Scorpio1963]

I wouldn't be so fast to cut them off,They are not in the way or interfering with anything on the bike in anyway.You wont save any too very little weight by a chop of the tab.and you never know maybe someday you will find a purpose for them like strapping something down on the back of the bike.they could also be factory tie downs for transporting the bike.

 

[Greasey Fingers]

Sorry scorps missed your last post. I didn't cut that tab of for weight reduction, just for cosmetics and to make it easier to polish....and here she is polished Its not perfect but good enough for my needs. This job took quite a bit of effort but that's cool I just did a little bit every day over about a week. You woulnt realise exactly how much pitting they have from the factory until you go to polish it, it really is a rough chunk of metal hidden underneath the paint. I had to get a flap wheel onto it to get it all down to a workable level and remove all the pitting, then did my best to sand out any low spots and eventually worked it down to a 800 grit finish.

 

[Greasey Fingers]

Heres some before and after shots

 

[LuckyEight]

brilliant job!