XS400 Bobber build/first post

I saw that "raw and simple" XS650 bobber on ebay with a buy it now price of $5,000. That must be some very expensive rattle can paint that he used!
 
I'd be willing to bet yours comes out just as nice (if not better) for a whole lot less cabbage.
 
just an update. have the frame bare except for wheels and forks and shocks
just waiting for the metal for the hardtail. will post pics later this week. my boss refuses to Tig it for me. So i have to learn to Tig. For my first time. On a bike. My bike. im already praying. any tips?
 
yeah ill prob do that in shop class, but we have lincoln at skool and the tig where i work is a miller. idk if theres a diff, i know there is for arc welders cuz i like lincoln better for those. is there a diff?
 
yeah ill prob do that in shop class, but we have lincoln at skool and the tig where i work is a miller. idk if theres a diff, i know there is for arc welders cuz i like lincoln better for those. is there a diff?
The Miller/Lincoln issue is more of a personal preferance, or at least in my opinion. Having both machines at your disposal is great. Practice on both, and I'm sure you will like one over the other. Most people I have talked to like Miller a little better, but like I said, only you will ultimately know which you prefer. Practice, Practice, and Practice some more. Doing things yourself on your own build is no doubt one of the best feelings, but in the end, it's your life on the line when you cruise the bike down the street. Im not trying to stray you away from doing the work yourself, because I hope you actually do, but just wanted to warn against the consequences if you just jump in, without any practice. I cant wait to see this build progress. Let me know if you need any help man!!
 
yeah im deff doin it myself, kinda scared but i should be ok. what size tubing should i use? im goin for about a 5 inch stretch.
I would stick to at least a 1 1/8 inch diameter, with around an 1/8 inch wall thickness. I cant remember exactly what size I used, since it's been about 2 years. Looking at any of the major hardtail dealers' sizes should give you an estimate. The TC Brothers kits use 1 and 1/8 diameter, with a .120 wall thickness, just to give you an idea. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT USE BLACK OR GAS PIPE!!!! It is not meant to handle the stress of a frame, even in softail form. A hardtail is going to have a ton more stress. Skimping on your frame now could, and most likely will, result in disaster later.
 
A lot of the places making hardtails use 1 1/8" tubing because that's close to the size of the bottom rails on the XS650. I would measure the bottom rails on your xs400 frame and use the tubing size that matches that. :twocents:
 
thanks. and im deffinatly not gonna skimp on something that could potentialy come back to bite me in the rear. any ideas of where to got the tubing? i havent started looking yet, but calling up Northern Illinois steel isnt on my to do list. lol havent been to a home depot in a while, do the sell it? this is my first project of any kind that involves me actually purchasing metal as opposed to using whats lying around the shop, so i apologize for the Noobiness. Noobness? ya catch my drift
 
i went on parts n more and i couldnt find any gasket kits
and bike bandit wants 90 bucks for side cover gasket. so thats not gonna work any other places? i imagine rtv would work, but that could mess with clearances so idk wat to do :/
 
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