Chivatty's XS400

[Sticker Dude]

Re: What did I get myself into?

I wanna know what "skull and crossbone stripes" look like. They sound cool.

I got them on my tank last week and need to make improvements. They look pretty cool now, but could be better. There not for everyone (obviously)...some prefer rainbows where others like sculls. I'll post some pictures when I get them perfected. I have a website, but it's under construction right now.

 

[boomshakalaka]

Re: What did I get myself into?

There not for everyone (obviously)...some prefer style where others like tacky grunge. I'll post some pictures when I get them perfected.

fyp ;D

seriously though, its not even the fact that its a skull and crossbones, but more so that its using a repeating image to draw a line. Its just too busy for me and I feel it completely detracts from the bikes true lines. But you know, to each their own and all that and thats why we are all making our own bikes

 

[Chivatty]

Re: What did I get myself into?

...some prefer rainbows where others like sculls.

FTW: Rainbows AND Skulls

;D

 

[Chivatty]

Re: What did I get myself into?

Yay! Got my cowl back today. Bondo'ed (can that even be a verb?) up some minor dents and smoothed the welds out. Prime and wet sand tom. after work then cut and grind the seat pan down to fit.
Finally can actually get back into something again!! ;D

 

[Chivatty]

Re: What did I get myself into? ***It runs!!!!!***

She runs!!! Finally put carbs + air filters back on-gapped plugs...Fired up on the fourth kick!! YEah baby!!

 

[boomshakalaka]

Re: What did I get myself into? ***It runs!!!!!***

sweet!

 

[Chivatty]

Re: What did I get myself into? ***It runs!!!!!***

So here are pics of the latest adventures!

Clean and shiny carbs!

My seat fiasco...I'm sure there are easier ways to do this than the way I did but I kinda get a kick out of making it up as I go thought this would be easier than it actually was. I wanted to use the original seat pan so I cut about 4 inches off the back. This allowed me to mount the "old gas tank" cowl

I bought some 3" foam and marine vinyl at Joann Fabrics and started making a mess in the kitchen.

First I rubber cemented the foam to the pan and cut it to fit. I couldnt figure out how to cut the corners of the foam so it would look symetrical so this was my solution...

Yes-I duct taped the whole thing... ;D
So when I go to put the vinyl on top, all the seams of the duct tape show right through the vinyl. Solution? Get a remnant scrap of a fleece fabric and lay it over the tape but under the vinyl. Worked like a charm!
Next step-putting the vinyl cover on. I didnt make it very far and all the little metal "teeth" on the bottom of the pan were snapping off. I decided to either throw the damn thing through a window or take a break and hit up my friend Google. I found this site http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/index.php which I wish I would have found earlier-oh well.
After looking around the interwebz for a while I go to an auto upholstery shop in town and get some tack strips from a convertable top

Using some rivets and washers I attached the strip to the bottom of the pan using the holes left by the "teeth."

Then all I had to do was staple the vinyl to the tack strip under the seat!
Took a while to get the hang of it but I am pretty happy with the result!

This isnt the final view-I got rid of the fold that you can see near the middle and repainted the cowl to match the gas tank. Will post pics when the paint cures and I reassemble!

 

[boingk]

Re: What did I get myself into? ***It runs!!!!!***

Good work on that seat! Gotta love a bit of ingenuity, all the messing around helps for next time. Plus, why do it a way you don't think will work when your idea seems (is?) perfectly sound?

I walk past the guys, grab my shit, open up my wallet and hand them back their business card, say "I'm not gonna need this again," and walk out.

Hell yeah man, thats what I'm talkin' about! Can't say I've ever had to do something like that to a business, but I sure would if I got a response like that. Hell, I've had a car put up on a hoist and had the exhaust welded up to new headers in an hour or two from drop-off. I'm sure they could manage a seat in the same even if they are 'a bit simple'...

Anywho, looking good - boingk

 

[Chivatty]

Re: What did I get myself into? ***It runs!!!!!***

Almost done with cosmetic stuff-ordered some vinyl and cut it up...

I know-I know-more checkers, still, I think the black on black is kinda mellow...at least until lights hits it. ;D

 

[Chivatty]

Re: What did I get myself into? ***It runs!!!!!***

Crappy Pic and Video of first ride...

After 7 miles between two friends and I nothing important fell off...Lifters and rear brake need adjusting though

Good work on that seat! Gotta love a bit of ingenuity, all the messing around helps for next time. Plus, why do it a way you don't think will work when your idea seems (is?) perfectly sound?

Thanks Boingk! Speaking of next time-one buddy found a 78 CB550 in his in-laws barn and another one is getting a 74 CB360 off Craigs List this week-I think this might be contagious!!

 

[Chivatty]

Got my motorcycle permit and helmet-almost legal now! Brakelight/turn signals are on the way and I put drag bars on yesterday-huge improvement over the stock bars in looks plus they feel pretty comfortable too. Might have cracked the throttle sleeve though...anyone know if those are universal or bike specific?
Picked up an oil filter yesterday so Jr. and I will give her the first oil change in probably 10+ years today.

 

[Chivatty]

Cant get the #$#%in oil plug or filter cover off...dont want to strip them-any tips beside maybe spraying with wd-40?

 

[rafanomenon]

Cant get the #$#%in oil plug or filter cover off...dont want to strip them-any tips beside maybe spraying with wd-40?

impact wrench and a deadblow hammer is your best friend for all seized bolts. A little WD40 or Zmax is a good penetrator to loosen things up as well.

Same problem on my 750 oil filter bolt. Had to beat it 30+ times to finally get it off with a long socket wrench.

 

[Chivatty]

Thanks for the tip-I'll have to run over to friends and pick one up...
By the way-these: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P?vName=Tools&cName=Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools&sName=Taps+%26+Dies
dont work at all-at least not for me this time

 

[Chivatty]

Got the filter out! Monkey wrench, a long pipe and lots o' steady pressure-the old oil looked better than I thought it would for being in the motor at least 10 years. It runs a lot nicer than I expected too! Very smooth!
Forgot the locktite on the brake light and almost lost one of the nuts today...oops.

I think the front turn signals need to go and am thinking about getting a little bikini fairing...

 

[boomshakalaka]

pics are sooo small, Im squinting over here!

but the bike looks nice man! Nice and clean. I agree get rid of those stock signals, theres plenty of small led replacements that you can find. And I think that your bike could benefit a lot from a little bullet fairing or something. Not quite sure I know what a "bikini fairing" is though, do you have an pics of an example?

 

[diesel450]

Yeah, lose the signals. A headlight bucket would look killer on that bike! Check out "Glass from the past" @ www.caferacingparts.com

 

[Chivatty]

Not quite sure I know what a "bikini fairing" is though, do you have an pics of an example?

I'm thinking something like this... http://www.cb750cafe.com/parts.php?id=26 OR http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-Racer-Motorcycle-Fairing-Honda-Yamaha-Triumph-NEW
I dont think these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Complete-NEW-Drag-Cafe-Racer-Fairing look good on my small bike-way too big!

Theres a couple on that site diesel posted that I like too. Decisions, decisions... ???

 

[boomshakalaka]

the second two links didnt work, but I def am feeling the first one. Im a sucker for small little fairings on these old bikes. Naked is cool, but fairings can really round out a bike alot, especially when it doest have a rear cowl.

 

[Chivatty]

...seven short years later...
So I think I'm gonna give this a go again! I was in the middle of a re-rebuild when divorce and life happened so some things got relegated to a few Rubbermaid totes that I dragged around from the marital household to an apartment and then to my new home. I'm hoping to finish what was started 7ish years ago.
I've still been lurking on here on and off and can't help but feel a little pride at how the site has lasted and how big it has gotten. You guys done good.
In August I decided to head back to school after a 25 year gap and enrolled at the local tech school in their Motorcycle, Marine and Outdoor Power Products course. All in all life is good and I'm glad to be back!


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