xs400 "SLIVE" project..............

[motorlou]

Hey guys, been along time since I came on the board. you might remember me as the guy that build the "servi-cycle" xs400 bike in the pic below. I recently came across another xs400 (1978) through a customer who sold it to me for pretty much nothing! I figured it would be nice little project to turn around on the quick. I am not spending very much on this as I am just using it as a platform to fund another personal project I have in the works. I am actually almost done with this project but I wanted to post the pics from beginning to end here for anyone interested in checking it out. thanks in advance, Lou

donor bike

 

[Sesty]

very cool! good work on that tank and would love to hear that exhaust when its up and running!

 

[xschris]

It's sad to see a good set of stock 78-79 mufflers get cut up Those are big money and very hard to find.

 

[Scorpio1963]

Chris there are better replacement mufflers on the market than stock I wouldn't be sad about it.I think the mod on the ends will make a cool sounding exhaust system.Too me its more sad to see the frame cut up but in the end a lot of these projects look pretty cool.Id probably never cut my bike up but if T found an old one that's rusted and needs a ton of work then Id probably make a café or tracker/endure build.I espeacily like this build and paint is definitely way cool.I wish I had the skills.

 

[motorlou]

thanks guys. I understand how people feel about cutting up things that are "hard to find" and such. to be honest, everytime I have gotten pieces like that and tried to sell them for some quick cash, there is not a soul around that will buy them or even willing to pay enough cash to make it worth the shipping and all the hassle. just my two cents with all due respect.

 

[Recreateme]

Thats because they are big money! lol

I know what you mean, i often try to sell things that could be sold for 'big money' and list them as such, and get no one until the price is lowered such that they are way below what they are being touted as... Its frustrating, but no one wants to pay a lot for used things these days, especially when you can get something similar for less.

Curious to see how it comes out! Jealous of you metal work skills too haha I wish i could do this kinda stuff.

 

[Scorpio1963]

I have just accepted that when a person buys a bike its theirs to do with whtever they want.WE may not like seeing a classic bike cut up but its yours so if you want turn it to hard tail,or something else its your choice not ours.Like I said a lot of these projects end up turning out kool in the end.Someone once said as the stock bikes get harder and fewer to find it increases the value on them.Took me a while to adjust my thinking this way but I have and IM not here to criticize what someone wants to do with their bike,Key Words THEIRS

 

[motorlou]

don't worry guys xs400 aren't all that rare. this one is going to be given a new life with a lot more cool factor a lot less extra weight. i'm sure she can't wait to scream down the road........I know I cant!

 

[xschris]

don't worry guys xs400 aren't all that rare. this one is going to be given a new life with a lot more cool factor a lot less extra weight. i'm sure she can't wait to scream down the road........I know I cant!

A nice 77-79 are. They made way more of the 80-82 specials than the standards. Keep cutting guys it will make mine worth a lot more. I don't see a lot of the "custom" bike go for a lot on ebay or craigs list. Unless they had a lot of high end work done (like the servi-cycle) and I'am sure that was not $300 and a 20hr build.

 

[xschris]

Chris there are better replacement mufflers on the market than stock I wouldn't be sad about it.I think the mod on the ends will make a cool sounding exhaust system.Too me its more sad to see the frame cut up but in the end a lot of these projects look pretty cool.Id probably never cut my bike up but if T found an old one that's rusted and needs a ton of work then Id probably make a café or tracker/endure build.I espeacily like this build and paint is definitely way cool.I wish I had the skills.

Those pipes work very well on the bike and sound good. A lot better than the 80-82 restricted/emission sets.

 

[Scorpio1963]

Im sure any of the after market mufflers wil do just fine and sound good or better than stock pipes.
As for the tank if some Harley enthusiast seen the tank chopped theyed be screaming about that also
Oh was the tank brased or welded,looks darn good.

 

[motorlou]

yes sir I love brazing tanks together. here is my how to video on that:

[YOUTUBE

][/YOUTUBE]

 

[Pork Chop]

More great work Motorlou.
You got skills I could only dream of having. Can't wait to see this completed.

When it comes to the chop/no chop debate my opinion is this, an XS is a Yamaha not a Vincent so go for it. With the exception of a case like this http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/black-side-down-new-nortons-found-in-belgium.aspx#axzz2kI4Nk7Sr

Posted via Mobile

 

[motorlou]

yeah porkchop, I seen that article before.......how crazy would that be to find!?

 

[Scorpio1963]

The person who found them is one lucky sog

 

[LUCHO]

superb

 

[motorlou]

hey guys, I finished wiring up the bike today. just need to finish the seat tomorrow and ride time!!! this is the first time I started it up since I brought it to the shop several months ago.........damn this thing sounds sweet! I have cut up several smaller cc bikes like cb400's xs400's ect but I think the muffler I made for this gives it the nice sound I like. there is no baffle in the system, just the expansion chamber and the reduction on the tip. I did notice that the bike is hard starting on cold which has been my experience with these xs400's. if anyone could give me some tips on how to get past this or where to look for fixs I would appreciate it. I did a thorough cleaning of the carbs/jets ect. once I manage to get the bike turned on it runs like a swiss watch, no studdering ect through out the acceleration. engine is in very good shape. well here is the vid and i'll post final pics tomorrow sometime................

 

[xschris]

Running no air filters will cause it to be lean and hard to start cold.

 

[motorlou]

Running no air filters will cause it to be lean and hard to start cold.

cool, thanks for the tip. I usually throw the airfilters on at the end of the show but I will try putting them on today as well as messing with the fuel/air mixture screws. I didn't check to see where they were set at.

 

[Scorpio1963]

i bet the bike will sound sweet going down the road.It has race engine sound to it.
Also what color did you use on the frame looks great.
1 thing about the mufflers they look like they are very close to to the ground maybe you can install a unswept piece of pipe