Bought a 81 xs400 Special II a couple weeks ago with the plan to make another Cafe out of it.
Been taking some pictures and thought I would share my progress so far.
Here is the bike as I got it for $225 from a guy who had it sitting in his barn for the past 10 years.
Only has 6600 miles on it. Looks like it was dropped on the right side, rear brake lever got pushed into the engine, but other than that everything seems fine for its age.
Engine isn't seized but the carbs were too nasty to get it to run and there was no battery, so hopefully all is good on the inside.
Stripping it down.
I'm getting rid of the wire wheels and drum setup on front. Old and 'new' rear.
Engine before any work...
And after sanding, soda blasting, and hitting the top with flat header paint and the bottom with flat engine enamel. Didn't feel like pulling the entire thing apart for paint so just masked what I didnt want painted... might have been easier to just pull it apart...
Brake caliper all cleaned up.
Frame sanded down and painted with all the unneeded tabs/holders and peg pegs cut off. New forks and front wheel. Going with a black and red theme.
I'm going to modify the frame a bit but need my seat first, which is why its still all nasty back there. It's ordered but taking its time.
Threw the old coilovers on just so I could get it back on 2 wheels and get the engine back in.
I'm going to be completely redoing the harness to better hide everything, so got that pulled apart and figured out for the most part last night. Need to get a hold of a wiring diagram, will make everything easier..
Anyone know what this is? Little Resistor? Diode? It's broken right now so might need to replace.
I have a big box of goodies coming today so will hopefully be able to make some good progress this weekend and get some more pictures up soon.
Been taking some pictures and thought I would share my progress so far.
Here is the bike as I got it for $225 from a guy who had it sitting in his barn for the past 10 years.
Only has 6600 miles on it. Looks like it was dropped on the right side, rear brake lever got pushed into the engine, but other than that everything seems fine for its age.
Engine isn't seized but the carbs were too nasty to get it to run and there was no battery, so hopefully all is good on the inside.
Stripping it down.
I'm getting rid of the wire wheels and drum setup on front. Old and 'new' rear.
Engine before any work...
And after sanding, soda blasting, and hitting the top with flat header paint and the bottom with flat engine enamel. Didn't feel like pulling the entire thing apart for paint so just masked what I didnt want painted... might have been easier to just pull it apart...
Brake caliper all cleaned up.
Frame sanded down and painted with all the unneeded tabs/holders and peg pegs cut off. New forks and front wheel. Going with a black and red theme.
I'm going to modify the frame a bit but need my seat first, which is why its still all nasty back there. It's ordered but taking its time.
Threw the old coilovers on just so I could get it back on 2 wheels and get the engine back in.
I'm going to be completely redoing the harness to better hide everything, so got that pulled apart and figured out for the most part last night. Need to get a hold of a wiring diagram, will make everything easier..
Anyone know what this is? Little Resistor? Diode? It's broken right now so might need to replace.
I have a big box of goodies coming today so will hopefully be able to make some good progress this weekend and get some more pictures up soon.
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