Xs 400 cafe racer, knee dents, carb rebuilds, and Fiberglas tails

[Death Row Composite]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the forum and wanted to introdruce myself and my project. My name is johnnie, I'm twenty one years... Actually twenty two years old as of eight days ago. I work as property manager of eight apartment buildings for my 9-5 and anywhere in between im building one thing or the other. My bike Is a 1980 xs400 I bought it along with another frame and a box of parts, about a month. It was not running but I was told it only need a battery...yea right! After a battery, a fuse, and finding the fuel tank with rust in it. I setup a fuel bottle and got her to run... For a few minutes anyway. But at least it's "proof of concept".

A carb rebuild, cleanIng and coating of the inside the gas tank... Some knee dents for good measure. Maybe a fiberglas tail.And a good tuning... Any tips on tuning the xs would be much appreciated. As I am new in this area. I have pics of the work I have already done but apparently I can't post them from my iPad. Any ideas. Thanks everyone

 

[Death Row Composite]

Photos... Thoughts, and ideas welcome.

 

[drewpy]

hereeeeee's Jonnie!

welcome to the forum

tuning the xs has already been talked about in depth in another thread.

basically;

1) megacycle cam
2) ported and gas flow
3) lose weight (rider and bike)
4) CR carbs if your feeling flush
5) turbo if your feeling adventurous
6) free flow exhaust

normally aspirated engine you can reliably get 50hp ( german racers do) CR carbs etc another 5 hp and turbo, what ever you dial in vs engine longevity

 

[Death Row Composite]

So my xs came with extra air boxs but no piping to connect them to the carberators. And since sourcing these comnnections seems to be a problem i was thinking using k an n universal filters that are sold by shape and size. Any other ideas on how you gentlemen got around this problem?

 

[frwinks]

welcome aboard DRC
you can use most pod filters with a 54mm opening. Get some new jets to go with them I'd start with a 145 main, 45 pilot, bigger mains if you're opening up the exhaust too

 

[Death Row Composite]

Thanks Drewpy any idea wats its cost for the cam, i looked them up, i just hate calling if im not buying right away. Winks, I thought i would need to jet the carbs after the k an n since the additoinal airflow, so thanks for starting point. Also i would love to do a two into one stainless exhaust, that would come out the tail section that im working on now. Does anyone know if 1.25" od .065" ss tubing would provide additional flow to make a noticable diffrence. (im not at the shop and cant measure stock)

Heres a little shop porn too. My quincy compressor, 400 amp watercooled miller tig, and xs400

 

[drewpy]

no idea on the price, you'll have to email them.

http://www.megacyclecams.com/catalog/Page59.pdf

 

[Death Row Composite]

Any ideas on the size of the exhaust tubing needed for building a free flow exhaust. And how are the stock ports on the head. Is there any porting that needs to be done, to truly take advantage of the new exhaust?

 

[lcgtr]

anyone used one of these cams?

 

[frwinks]

1.5" 1.75" should be plenty for a nice sounding system.. I'm using 1.5", but might bump it up to 1.75" and eliminate the stock double wall header this winter.

 

[Death Row Composite]

The cams cost $300 and its not even for a new billet one. You send them yours and they rework it. At $75 per lobe that a little pricey. Id rather run a dry shot of nitrous. lol
And thanks winks you saved me some headaches.

 

[Death Row Composite]

Hello everyone,
It's been a while and I wanted to post a quick pic of the tail section I built over the holiday. It's made from three layers 2x2 twill and epoxy resin thickened with collidial silica. Underneath the glass is two inch thick polystyrene rigid foam insulation. Shaped with rasps, to My liking. The same kind you buy at Home Depot. I'm in the process of bondo and primer now. I'll post some pics in a day or so. I also built a tracker bar, to replace a section of the rear frame. Hope everyone had a good thanksgiving .

-DRC

 

[Death Row Composite]

Does anyone know where to get a good set of replacement coils. Oem on bike bandit where $130 each! I wouldn't mind spending more on a set of high voltage ones either.

Thanks
-DRC

 

[jboyer]

partsnmore.com has em for 22 bucks

 

[njcafe84]

I have the coils from partsnmore I would recommend them for sure...work great

 

[xschris]

Any 3 ohm coil for motorcycles will work