Artie's Custom 400 True Hard Tail Bobber...

hey guys...
i'm new to the site and new to building... i've been doing a lot or researching on here and found sooo many useful tips.. you guys are truely great! …but with over 2000 posts and 50000 reply it’s hard through it all. anyway cosmetics aside for now, i'd like to start with the main concerns when doing this build. Keeping in mind to hopefully do it on a budget and keep it low cost…

Air intake - changing the filter to a pod and the issues with low pressure and lean fuel intake. has anyone found a solution for this? i know changing the jetting, but what about the fuel entering not as a vapor? Links for pods or tips on fixing this issue?

Electronics - what do people recommend with the wiring to simplify it. i'm still going to run pretty much everything except my turn signals possibly. Is there a relay that can cut out a lot or the wiring or am I dreaming…am I going to run into issues by going LED, blowing fuses or anything?
(any good websites or links to aftermarket headlight and tail/signal combo LED and relays?)

Hard tail- i've read lots about people just swapping out the monoshock, but i'd like to remove the tail completely (It’s hideous looking!) and weld on either a universal kit or something with at least a 3" stretch since i'm 6'3.
with a small stretch like this what types of issue am I going to run into? I know I’ll have to get a longer chain, and possibly rear brake lines anything else?
What’s a good way to support the tail to make sure it’s going to be welded on at a good angle?
(What size of tubing has anyone else used or anyone find a good tail kit with a stretch for a decent price? Links?)

Handlebar and Controls – I’ve already switched the bars and have no issues with the triple clamps or bars, but wondering what throttle, brake, clutch and lighting controls are available,? The turn signal sticks and is brutal to use and turn off so I definitely wanna switch it up.. the levers are old and just want new ones, and the throttle is just old and warn out.. any suggestions…

Engine – the engine runs great. No major issues at all.. the only problem I see is cosmetic (kinda); the cylinder head has a bunch of broken fins (no cracks in the head itself) from the previous owner. Other than not cooling the bike as much I don’t think there could be another issue from this other than it looks like shit…Anyone have a spare one kicking around? Any issues I should watch for with this bike in general with the motor?

Exhaust – run straight pipes or no pipes.. adavntages/disadvantages? Now exhaust wrapping the headers, does it pose a problem on the engine? Being as this bike is air cooled, would wrapping the exhaust cause the engine to overheat causing piston problems down the road… I know it’ll keep the heat in, so just wondering is it’s too much or by leaving a gap at the top of the header would adjust the problem. Also does anyone suggest painting it first before applying the wrap to decrease the amount of contact of moisture the wrap may hang on to?

Now I guess we can deal more with the cosmetic side of things…
Any good resources for aftermarket parts for these bad boys… I’m looking for super simple and not flashy..not chrome in other words..

Paint – anyone have issues with painting the forks, drum, wheels… what have people been using for these parts, or is powder coating one of my best options? I’ll be stripping down the bike this winter to the frame and once I get the ass end figured out I’ll be powder coating it for sure.. just wanna know if there’s a more economical way?

I’m going to leave it at that since I’ve overwhelmed even myself with this ESSAY haha… but as you can see I didn’t want to start without doing the research and just be annoying with my questions which I know a million other people have asked…


Looking forward to your help!! if anyone's got pics of their builds to show how they've done it a s a reference point i'd love to see em!

Thanks!

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

there are a couple wiring simplification diagrams on this forum, search for them, I have one on my computer if all else fails. The wiring gets pretty hairy, but it eliminates a lot of the unneeded things like kick stand switched, turn signals, and what not, I pulled off about 2/3 of the stock harness off of mine and I only had to cut two wires (power and a ground) but my harness was a mess when I got the bike (it was a ball sitting where the seat should be which is why I got the bike so cheap) but that diagram works so far, the bike turns over I have yet to get tail lights and head lights to see if those work, but i wouldn't see why not.

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

While your question may have been an essay, the answers are going to be a volume or two. In fact.. or more accurately, be a forum! 8O
Actually there are over 21050 threads in the XJ forum, 2800 in the Modifications section alone!
I think it's great that you want to research before jumping in, but there is no one answer for each question you have asked. Some of them will be opinions, some will be based on experience which can differ from bike to bike/ person to person. I would pick your topics one at a time and do some thorough searching here using the search feature. It's not too bad, I have seen much worse ones.
From your questions it looks like you have some ambitious ideas in mind for you build , which is cool, so a little more time spent searching (especially since the riding season is winding down..) won't set you back and may actually speed things up! There's nothing worse than getting 75% done with a mod to find out you can't do the last 25% because you forgot to take into account X or Y or Z!
Start a build thread for your project, that would be a great way to keep us all updated with pics! (we love pics here ) and get specific answers to your individual project issues. Good luck!! 8)

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build.

thanks so much guys for your replies...i will definately start a build thred when i get down to it... we've got 2 more months still worthy of riding..so i wanted to get some info so i can order stuff now...like a hardtail and pods etc...while they take a couple weeks to come in i can still ride... i know there wont be one answer for sure... but if something works then i might as well try it...i've read a lot of the threds but a lot don't finish with a final solution to try... so i just wanted to hear from you guys and your experiences... just need a little guidance to get a head start on things and places to check out online... this is my first bike..and my first build..so where do i begin haha!...

but ultimately i'd like this thred can be more helpful to others like me..who don't wanna read a hundred messages about that cool colour on the bike and how it's gonna be wicked in the end.. but more helpful info and insight to possible problems and offer solutions... i'm sure there are hundreds of people that'll have 2 cents on any of the topics here... so really there's no order to this chaos.. randomness!

thanks !

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

Also, update your profile with a location and put your bike in your signature..

Helps with the little details

Not may areas got the XJ400, is it the 4 cyl XJ or the twin XS?

There are peeps with both on here

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

thechopperunderground.com has some cool xs400s

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

hey man, welcome to the forums,

i did/doing a xs400 chop right now. got the springer seat and a temp battery mount latley. its hard tailed by removing the monoshock as well.
i dont have an updated pic, cause ive been on vacation, and havent had a chance to sand and repaint the bare steel that i have on there. gettin mild rust that i'll take care of, then post,
Do a author search for my posts, you'll find it if your lookin for ideas.

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

hey kenny.. i read your whole thred.. looks like it's gonna be a rad bike... i was thinking about doing what you did to hard tail it.. simple solution for sure... and convenient if you wanna put the shock back on later on... the only issue i have is that i'm pretty tall (6'3) and the foot pegs seem at an awkward angle sometimes.. i haven't done much to the bike yet since i just wanna ride it till november and then park it and mod it when i have time... i will post pics on here when i get my computer back since it's getting warrentied right now(last 4 weeks )

did you find any difficulties put'n on the seat and springs... and what did you end up doing with the battery...i've been checking out hardware stores and parts stores for random things i can use for cheap... might even check out a wrecking yard sometime to pull parts off other bikes and fab them onto this one... i went to a thrift shop and found some wicked tins that i think i might paint and use as the battery box (if the fit the battery) simple and cheap ($1.00) haha... did you end up chopping out some of the wiring on yours? i'm no electrician and wiring diagrams sometimes confuse the hell outta me.. but my dad's an electrician so i might send him an e-mail to help me out with it so it's down to like 5 wires...

what did you paint your frame with?...i was hoping to powdercoat it if i had some extra cash.. that wat it wont get scratched so easily.. i've used a lot of paint since i'm an artist so i've got a couple in mind...

so much to do..and i've got a little time to pull it all together before i get to work on it.. a good game plan means that i can get it done by spring and ride all summer... plus i fly out to work next week so i'm at a stand still for now...

keep me posted with your updates... i'll be sure to read your thred when you update it again... great job so far!

i'll be sure to update my profile and add pics and stuff when i get a chance... (come back from work in a week or two)...

just another quick quection... notice on the gas tank that it's got a lip all around the bottom of it that looks like it was joined there... has anyone done anything about it..like grided it down to the tank.. or bent it into the frame.. i think it looks like poop..so i wanted to cut it off and either run a weld where it was or something..


hmmm?

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

i left my tank actually.

i'll take the much needed updated pictures tonight. bear with me on the unclean 'surface' rust, and theyre all yours hah.

i'll take a pictures of where i hid the wiring (hah i left it all - will attempt minimal wiring in the winter maybe)

the frame i didnt paint yet, but im just using tremclad flat black rust paint,

the lip itself, barley fit with the way i have the seat sitting, but it works, and didnt have to remove the lip.

its cool seein someone with the samebike man i look forward to your project also.

after work, ill take the bike out for a rip and get someshots for ya.

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

yeah man sounds good... i just picked this bike up about a month ago..and just waiting to get at er... i'm in kelowna..so maybe i'll have to make a trip out to calgary on it... i'm sure after my ass and back will feel just great haha...

as for pics.. yeah man.. for sure post them when you get a chance... did you end up keeping all the lighting (signals and stuff)... i'm hoping on changing all of mine to make them a little less prominant..but hoping on keeping as much as i can.. maybe change the guages to one single one that does it all except the tach.. no need for it when you can hear it right!...
are you still running stock exhaust or straight... so many questions i have! haha...

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

dude ask all you want. i dont care myself PM me if you feel your spamming your thread, but last i checked - its your thread

dont classify me as a guru tho - im actually a computer tech, and that build is the first mechanical project ive really ever done. turned out ok so far, and the pics ill upload after work will be nice for your reference,

i stripped the signals off mine. i bought some from here
http://www.d2moto.com/p-6770-universal- ... isers.aspx

they look nice dont get me wrong, but i just got a bit lazy trying to mount them to the back of the bike to complete the circut (to make them flash)

im runnin straight pipes right now too. the guy i bought the bike from a few years back put on 'custom' pipes, but they were garbage. not to mention (i didnt notice) he bashed in the pipe inside to make it fit around the bike's center stand. poor pipes never had a chance. Its a loud bastard for a 400cc, but its not overkill on your ears. if you like loud metal music... your gonna be ok.

the seat and springs that youll see in the pic was interesting. i hired a welder to weld a bent peice of steal (i bent and cut it) to the frame. it goes up and over the fender so no weight is put on the back end. the springs setup is easier to see in the pic.

the battery is held on with a little box bolted to the bike frame and a bungie cable heh

i'll say one thing. i was at odd's end wondering where to start with the project. couldnt get any kind of 'idea' on what to do. that was until i rented (should have bought.. but eventually did) an Angle Grinder, and cut the frame. its a no turning back situation, but liberating. its a good start, and you actually 'see' the bike your looking for now.


Best bet - keep askin questions, dont get frustrated, post tons of pics, that keeps everyone here happy. Take the advise they give here (DWCopple is gonna lecture ya on minimal wiring - hes the guru in that regard)

Everyone has spare parts, or knows where to find them - and really i owe any credit to my build to the folks here for their help.

i'll get those pics to ya, lemme know if you need anythign

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build.

ok so here's where i started from... the stock pic of this bike... it also had a windshild on it...
but so far i've stripped off:
windshield
front fender
rear foot pegs
chain guard
handle bars
front guard over the horn
other chrome guards
center stand
logos

so if anyone wants to buy any of that stuff..let me know..



and here's the after so far..not too many changes oviously..once it gets too cold i'll start stripping it apart...

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

Wow, you have a Right side panel.... don't see many of those

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

yeah it covers my battery..i think on most bikes it was black..for some reason it's red.... i would swear that the person that designed this bike wasn't very talented... i would have never bought this in the 80's..

i wanna pic up a pod air filter for this thing... does anyone know what size it it in diameter..

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

sorry im late on this post guys,

i lost my keys on the road somewhere.. think they jumped out of the ignition, and didnt notice till i made it all the way up to the rib house...
so i had to disconnect the battery and stall it to shut it off. came back and push started it, but then ran outta gas on the way home.. heh cause i have no key to fill the tank.

here she is stranded, but shows how i chopped mine. still got some work but ya. all good. ill figure out somethin

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

wow, that sucks about the keys. Talk about having some bad luck, sheesh.....Good looking bike though I must say.

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

yeah man it's super sick!...so looks like you put in square tubing in place on the mon shock right... did you end up stretching or lowering it... ..i'm surprised you still kept the center stand on there...super shitty that you lost your key.. i only had one when i bought mine..but the next week i got 3 made..they're super thin and feel like they easily break...so i needed extras for sure!...but. i'm more motivated than ever come'n home tomorrow from work.. and i just picked up a seat...an old rusted one but it's got a lot of potential for comfort..... it's gonna be awesome.. i'm gonna start working on the bike come november i think...so i might be late to post new updates... it still might be nice out till then so i wanna get in as much riding as i can before i switch to riding my snowboard haha....

since i'm an artist i've had so many ideas on how to paint it.. man it's gonna be fun!

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

Welcome Barefoot, can't wait for pics.

Kenny-I.m sure by now you've already got one. The minute I
realised that my key would come out while the ign was on, I went to
the hardware store for a flat spare to keep in my wallet.
The po gave two key's but both were too bulky.
Then I took a plastic chrome skull shaped tire valve cap- shaved
one key down to fit-now all the weight is on the tooth side of the
key and stay's in under all condition. And the little skull smiling
back at me is very cool IMHO lol.

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build...

thanks for the compliments. nah, no key yet. my brother is a locksmith so he's gonna take a look at what he can do for me.

ya sure did.. used a .88 (i think - should be in my thread) gauge steel. wayyy overkill. i think i gave it an inch or so drop in the back by drilling hirer into the frame than the stock shock hole. just losin the side steel tubes for the original seat gave a ton more clearance.

i kept the center stand cause is soooo handy for maintance. im sure ill need it for when i change the rubber - cause mannn these tires are old.

glad to hear your motivated man. as i said, the real motivation came for me when i got my angle grinder and just went for it.

also what do you ride board wise bro?

 

Re: Artie's 82' XJ 400 bobber project...research then build.

so i got my new (used) seat .. super excited... it's old and rusty..but a lot of potential... gonna start collecting some parts before i get to building it..



has anyone ordered any pods and/or jetting kit... just wondering where they got em from..