AmbientMoto
XS400 Addict
Looks great! What is your paint process?
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78 XS400 Mach1 Cafe Build
- Thread starter Spitfire_X24
- Start date
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Fix any dents and scratches up to 400 grit, clean with a wax and grease remover, then prime using a high buildup primer, sand up to 1500 grit, clean using a wax and grease remover, spray on the flat black, I used Duplicolour, then once dry, scuffed using a gray scuff pad. Then I taped off the stripes using 3M 1/4 inch clean edge tape, it's almost like a pinstripe tape, and then I sprayed the blue. Once that was semi dry, i removed the tape and let it dry the rest of the way. Then I used Spraymax Matte Clearcoat 3680065 and while I was at first not happy with how matte it looked, over the course of 24 hours as it cured it came out quite nice.
This clearcoat is supposed to be very resistant to discoloration due to fuel spills and such.
The key is patience, and I had some places where a bit more patience would have improved the final outcome, but lesson learnt.
AmbientMoto
XS400 Addict
Awesome. I've used Duplicolor in the past with great results but your tank looks better than anything I've done for sure.
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Thank you very much.
I found a site (motorcyclehabit) that has some good info, found him on Instagram some time ago and he's got a lot of good helpful info there.
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Hi guys,
Not much progress here as of late, with the weather dropping below -30 and staying there for a few weeks, I don't want to weld, grind and paint with the garage doors closed, makes the house "smell funny". LOL, happy wife, happy life. Anyways, it looks like it is going to warm up a bit through out the rest of the week, so i'll take the time to get the rest of the frame modifications done and the bits and pieces painted so I can begin reassembly.
Not much progress here as of late, with the weather dropping below -30 and staying there for a few weeks, I don't want to weld, grind and paint with the garage doors closed, makes the house "smell funny". LOL, happy wife, happy life. Anyways, it looks like it is going to warm up a bit through out the rest of the week, so i'll take the time to get the rest of the frame modifications done and the bits and pieces painted so I can begin reassembly.
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
A little progress update....
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Hi all, been away a while, very busy summer and very little progress on the bike, just getting going on the rewire, and ran into an issue with how to wire the field coil of the AC generator. All of the wiring schematics for bikes with the points style ignition with no TCI show the green wire running to the regulator like on all models, but the other black wire coming off the field coil goes to ground. On this bike, it switches from black to brown at the connector and goes to keyed power not ground.
I’m building my own harness using Drewpy’s steps and I don’t want to mess this up. I’m going to wire it as it is, with the black wire going to keyed power, but every pre-TCI setup I see has it going to ground. Just seems odd is all, there is no schematic in the Haynes manual that matches my bike completely. It’s like a mix of the 1979 US XS400F model, which it is, and the newer G models.
Has anyone else run into this?
I’m building my own harness using Drewpy’s steps and I don’t want to mess this up. I’m going to wire it as it is, with the black wire going to keyed power, but every pre-TCI setup I see has it going to ground. Just seems odd is all, there is no schematic in the Haynes manual that matches my bike completely. It’s like a mix of the 1979 US XS400F model, which it is, and the newer G models.
Has anyone else run into this?
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
A bit of a progress update on the wiring.
I removed what I don’t need, eliminated the front key, the headlight relay, and the signal canceling unit and wiring. I built an electronics pan, reseated the front brake master cylinder and bled the brakes and lastly began installing the wiring, or at least mocking it up so I know where to tape the harness together.
A few pictures of the process.
I removed what I don’t need, eliminated the front key, the headlight relay, and the signal canceling unit and wiring. I built an electronics pan, reseated the front brake master cylinder and bled the brakes and lastly began installing the wiring, or at least mocking it up so I know where to tape the harness together.
A few pictures of the process.
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Some progress on the wiring…
Tested all the circuits and signal lights, headlight, bright/dim, starter works, neutral, and oil pressure lights work, as does the brake lights, just had to adjust the rear switch. I’m stoked! Next is fuel and a test fire to see if she’ll start!
Wish me luck.
Tested all the circuits and signal lights, headlight, bright/dim, starter works, neutral, and oil pressure lights work, as does the brake lights, just had to adjust the rear switch. I’m stoked! Next is fuel and a test fire to see if she’ll start!
Wish me luck.
Nice and clean wiring. Where are you locating the battery?
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Quick update, I got her running tonight for the first time since October 17th 2020. Almost a year to the day. Connected a fuel bottle to the line and filled the bowls with fuel. Pulled the choke out and about four or five spins later it fired. Lots of top end noise, so I shut it down and let it cool off. I adjusted the valve lash and fired it back up. It will start quite easily fully choked but will rev quite high so I have to cycle back and forth between full choke and half choke until it warms up. It was loud and late so I shut it down for the night. Looking forward to working on it tomorrow evening.
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Thank you. There are a lot of awesome builds on here. Check out the two bobbers being built by Buddha, works of art.
Oh I have checked out Buddha's work already. Very talented people on here. I think I would like to move toward a scrambler build for mine. First thing that has to go are those buckhorn bars and seat. I am not sure I have the talent to build a seat like you have. Be nice to find a ready made "regular" bench seat from the era that fits.
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
Looking to install a gel cell or a lithium battery due to their smaller size. The great part is you can mount them any orientation you want without having to worry about spillage.
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
I might be able to get this one in there...Now you've peaked my interestWhat type of battery are you using?
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-agm-powersports-battery-10s-bs-0271093p.html
Spitfire_X24
XS400 Addict
It fits!
