Today's topic. Modification.

[Ruined1]

A few questions for those willing to donate a minute of their time...

Frame modifications;
I want to Chop the front end of my xs400 Maxim and bob the ass end. Obviously this means taking the Neck (fork collar???) off of the frame and welding on a chopped back collar... What's the easiest way to do this??? Is there a cheap escape route here in which I could obtain a set of forks already long enough from another bike and cut off the collar and weld it to my frame? Everything after that should be easy peezy... Just slap everything back on the new bars and cut some longer/shorter cables for throttle/brake/clutch etc.

Wheels;
Unfortunately, when I had my rear tire changed at the shop, they told me the hub is completely worn down. I saw it for myself when I picked it up... It's to my understanding that this cannot be repaired as it is part of the rim itself. The shop also said I'll never find rims for my bike, it's just too old... What the hell is that shit? I should be able to throw a fatboy tire on there if I change the frame enough... but I don't even want to do that... I just want to find a decent rim for cheap and replace it... but honestly I'd rather just remove the whole drum assembly and turn the rear brake into a rotor/caliper set up like my front one... Thoughts? Ideas?

Suspension;
Forget this mono-shock crap that is under the seat... I want to modify mine to have one of those nice dual-shock rear frame setups...

Basically I am Aiming for the rear of this bike (notice shocks, hardtail, seat, etc.)

With a chopped front end like fazer1sniper's bike...

and here's a picture of my xs400

Thoughts... comments... criticism... places to buy suspension/ rims / wtc
are All welcome.

I'm banging my head trying to figure out how to pull this off...

 

[bcware]

There are always used wheels for sale on ebay; usually they are pretty cheap. I have heard of people putting Honda Rebel shocks on these bikes, but if you're going custom you can do whatever you want. New suspension designed for the xs400 is easy to find; it's pretty generic, but a little pricey of course.

Those mufflers are outrageous by the way

 

[Ruined1]

Thanks for the info. Yea I really appreciate that feel the fishtail exhaust pipes give it... even when I modify the frame i"ll still be using those exhaust pipes... I'm just thinking about doing a 2-1 side setup... not sure yet.

 

[bcware]

The double fishtails remind me of a Cadillac.

 

[Pawl]

The first pic in your post is the same pic that gave me the a-ha ! moment on how to lower the rear end on my bike .. .I just had to move the bottom shock mount further back over the axle. See this post, about 3/4 down http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4553

 

[redratbike]

frame/vin number on the headstock so be careful about chopping off and using another bikes headstock,

cut by all means but then rake out the headstock and regusset for strength ..find a good welder

you can fit forks from a trial type bike would give you a big front wheel and fingers crossed you could do it by only swapping bearings about

 

[drewpy]

in the UK the strong classic scene ensures we have specialists who can fix anything. for worn drums you can get a peice heat shrunk within the brakes and fixed into place.

I'm sure you could use xj500 wheels, can't confrim though

 

[Ruined1]

@pawl I love that... That's exactly the kind of rear suspension mod I was looking for. I wonder if that plate would fit my bike... Is that something I can just grind my own out of 1/4" steel till it fits my frame and make a copy? I don't think yours would fit on mine. Also the cross-bar between the rear fender and rear frame would become obsolete for a modification like this correct?

@redrat I won't cut the vin# off can you link an example of what you mean by forks from a trial type bike? Like cutting off my own headstock and getting it welded back on at an angle then just changing the forks?

@drewpy sounds dangerous to have an un-level re-applied surface for your brake pads to rub against. Potential rear wheel lockup...? I had some tires in mind anyways so it's ok. I'm not entirely sure about the xj500 wheels myself though...

Thanks for all your help so far guys! Anyone else have anything useful to add?

 

[eric123]

If I understand correctly, with all the work involved, you may just want to purchase a SOHC XS400 and go from there. The DOHC is a monoshock design...

 

[FUBAR]

^^ +1 from me

and if its got springs in the rear.. it aint a hardtail

 

[cmoore352010]

That pic of your xs400 above with the double seat and back is just how i want to modify mine. I haven't the slightest idea though how to cut and weld the frame so i am going to take my design to the local college and have the body shop students modify it for me this winter. The only thing i plan on doing is the engine work.

 

[Ruined1]

Hardtail: Physically solid tail (fender) is what I was referring to... I shouldn't have used a technical term to physically describe something, my bad

Work? Why can't I just remove the monoshock, weld a support the frame, weld the tabs for the rear shocks and attach them? Monoshock has a nasty habbit of throwing you out if your rear tire locks up. If it's more difficult then that I guess I could reconsider that step.

 

[Ruined1]

That pic of your xs400 above with the double seat and back is just how i want to modify mine. I haven't the slightest idea though how to cut and weld the frame so i am going to take my design to the local college and have the body shop students modify it for me this winter. The only thing i plan on doing is the engine work.

Depending what bike you have, if the frame matches mine... When I do these mods to my bike I could sell you all the pieces (seat, sissybar, mounts, etc.) for cheap and you could probably add them to your bike with minimal alterations...

 

[volcomskater77]

check out my thread. if your gonna give it a chopper rake, hardtail it too. dont do half and half. itll look funky i think

 

[cmoore352010]

Depending what bike you have, if the frame matches mine... When I do these mods to my bike I could sell you all the pieces (seat, sissybar, mounts, etc.) for cheap and you could probably add them to your bike with minimal alterations...

My bike is an 78 xs400 with a flat seat and squarish tank. The frame is pretty much level on top where the seat mounts on it and the battery sits in the middle of 2 bars under the seat. I'll try to get a pic to you but you can take a look at the pics of the bike i already posted in my album on here to get a feel if i could do it with minimal alterations.