XS400J..decisions and build thread

So I recently got an XS400J as a graduation gift! Totally excited and really happy that my parents were willing to do that for me. It means a lot! I had told them all about wanting to do a project, and they surprised me with this!
I'm at a point now though where I don't know what I should do. The lines on the rest of the bike say hardtail, but I would want to truly do a rigid rear frame for this. My dad is pretty adamant about not doing major surgery, and I really don't have the welding skills to do it myself.

That leaves me with trying to give it a "cafe racer" look-which I really like. I also think it would look neat on this bike considering the monoshock (plus having suspension is a good thing). The BIG problem with this is the larger stamped neck and frankly the entire top of the bike in general. Not very conducive to a cafe racer style bike. Any one know of a tank that would "fit" the area and allow for a more streamlined look across the top?

In my desperation I found an XS360 that needs some real loving and doesn't have a title. What are the chances that I can transplant the heart of this bike (which is in amazing running order) into an XS360 frame?


Like the make shift seat cover?




Got it on the lift and started tinkering..


1. Gotta figure out what is going on with the forks/tire. Hoping to unbolt everything and then see if it straightens out.
2. Ordering stuff to rebuild the forks tomorrow


Seriously is there a tank that will flatten out the top lines of the bike? Maybe a Seca tank? Some Mojave tank?

 

I have no experience with this bike but could you 'flatten the stance' by raising teh forks through the yokes/trees and use clip on bars. If you can also get a taller back wheel (18" maybe) that might also help. Monoshock will look cool though..

 

I'm not sure.. I'll check into that. The top tube angle looks similar to that of the Maxim 550, and very close to a SECA 550. I just went through a build thread where the owner used a GS550 tank. It seemed to be a PITA, but whatever. I looked at some Seca 550 tanks and they look like they would fit with some minor adjustments, but I could be dreaming.

Right now I'm going to get some seals and fork oil and do a MUCH needed servicing. The pads are either toast or coated in fork oil (probably both) so I'll be replacing those too along with new brake fluid. I've never serviced forks..anyone have a particular oil that they love? Is now a good time to throw some progressive rate springs in it as well?

 

Buy a nice new seatcover for it, and ride it like it is. Its beautiful, and way too nice to hack up. Show the appreciation for your parents' gift by treating it nicely and just enjoying it, rather than trying to butcher it into something else.

 

That being said...I have one of these in boxes that is a project for this winter. Completely disassembled, and all the bodywork was spray painted black. I will be dropping the front end and adding a longer shock to level it out for less of a "chopper" feel/appearance. Its not beautiful, clean and running like yours is.

 

keep it stock the mono shock gives it the hard tail look but the comfort of the shock.
there is a ebay guy may be able supply you with a seat cover for 30$ http://www.ebay.com/itm/321080782672?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
do the repairs
paint if , add some pin stripes , polish some of the aluminim. see how it rides before adding springs.
addigt them just to say there in there does little for the bike.
a thing to keep in mind is any mods (cafe or bobber) reduces the amount of resale customers when time comes to sell for bigger bike
ride it summers here

dont forget the rear brakes I use rotella tripple oil but any jaso rated oil will work

post up yout tank measurements and mounting points I will repost my seca mount and maxim mount measurements for you.
it is all going to be about the forks hitting the tank in the end

 

some dust seals or gaiters on the forks would be nice to protect the fork seals when you replace them

 

Yeah I get what you're saying. If I can't find a way to do a sensible build then I definitely wont. I don't want to get into a super intricate build that takes up all of the riding season. That would defeat the entire purpose of the bike. 

 

XJ550H:
I'm going to be looking for ways to do some polishing on the bolts and all of the aluminum. May actually paint parts of the motors instead. The tank is pretty rusted on the inside. I'm either finding a new tank or praying the vinegar and bolts trick works.
I definitely get what you mean about diminishing the resale value. I just really like the idea of being able to have made a bike really unique.
I think you're right about progressive springs. They're almost $100 and I want to make sure they'll make a difference on the bike anyway. Progressive springs is all I have experience with as they're on my racebike so it'll be nice to widen my horizons.
I'll be sure not to forget the rear brake as well.




 

XJ550H:
Here are the rest. Let me know if you need more, or measured differently.

 

Vinegar won't work that well I'm afraid. Phosphoric acid is the stuff (10-20% concentration will be fine). I still say have a go at the cafe look but don't do anything that isn't easily reversible - then best of both worlds eh ?

 

Sad to hear that about vinegar. Thanks for letting me know though. I think I've decide on the cafe racer for sure, but I won't do anything too crazy. I plan to make a seat/seat pan and rear tail section to fit directly to the bike so I don't have to do very much cutting. Beyond that its a matter of finding measurements of tanks that could possibly fit. I'm thinking 550 seca, but I'm having trouble finding any on eBay.

Once I take care of that I'll order my lighting and tach/speedo. I think I'm starting to connect the dots!

 

But then there are other people that swear by vinegar.....

You can also read up on-

Beet juice
Molasses
Coca cola
Electrolysis

And other ways too.... Each way has its followers as well as detractors.

You find what works for you.

 

Vinegar works fine, it's just a bit slower and may need changing before the job is done. On the plus side the waste can just be dumped.

 

Guess we have weaker vinegar over here (I seem to recall 6% being on the label of the stuff I tried). Over the years I have tried vinegar, citric acid and phosphoric - the best being phosphoric@ 15% conc.. Will be interested to hear how OP gets on with it.

 

5% is typical here, iirc

 

Yep, 5% is typical. I do mean Slllllllllooooooooooooowwwwww.