Project Odin - XS400F

Almost forgot, the big-wigs from our biggest international supplier came in for a meeting today (and I'm talking TOP brass here). Before the meeting, they just happened to see the background on my computer. They were QUITE interested in this little bike. One asked if it was a Norton :eek: (I can forgive him, right?), and one guy actually knew right away that it was a Cafe Racer. Pretty good topic for schmoozing with the higher-ups. They get as excited over a $1000, 30 year old project bike that was never anything spectacular in it's day as they do about their newest BMW M6, or their new Audi R8 (yes, that's what some of them showed up in). Just goes to show, even guys "earning" high 6 and 7 figure salaries turn into little kids again when they see something a sweet as a Cafe. Something made by hand with simple tools by simple people with simple money.

In hindsight, should have offered to build them one....... for a price ;D. What does the man with the money for everything need? They still gotta look cool and different.
 
I wouldn't sell yourself short. I suspect most of us.. including yourself are anything but simple. Simple people don't tear apart a bike and modify it into a cafe racer.... ;). On top of all that.. most of the "suits" I know wouldn't know the smart end of a wrench from their own arse. They're great with projected revenue, bottom lines and the usual book smarts, but they tend to hire guys like us to build bikes like that. On a further note... I think anyone who sees your bike would probably talk about it.. hell.. I talk about it and I haven't even seen it in person....
 
Progress is REALLY slowing down on the cafe right now. Just too many other things I've been doing the last few weeks. Should pick up a bit now though, as I'm pretty much done my bro's guitar. The GS isn't gonna get touched until the cafe is done. (not likely to happen, but its a nice thought)

Stainless brake lines and fittings came yesterday in a nice box with Z1 stickers on it. Beautiful lines, and go together easy as anything. Look great and work great too. Got everything all cleaned up and ran some brake fluid through it, bled all the air and tested them out on the driveway. Works pretty good. Front near locks up now, but the rear may take a little working in to really catch. Rearset and arm works amazingly! Perfect position and smooth action.

The only thing I'd have to say about these lines is, take your measurements, then take them again. Both of mine were a tad long. I'm pretty sure I took the 2 inches off for the fittings too.

The GS has stainless lines already, but will DEFINITELY be getting a set of Goodridge lines, as the current ones were HORRIBLY done and have no protective jacket on them. Just the rough braid rubbing on everything taking the paint off.

Will try to post some pics tonight, as I hope to pull the engine to reseal tonight as well. Then I put the chain on and off I go for a little test ride! WOO HOO!!
 
Some pics as promised. Also one of the thing that's been consuming my bike building time for the last few weeks. It's my younger brother's guitar, which I put the Floyd Rose in and repainted to look like Eddie Van Halen's Explorer. This one has paint, not black tape for the lines.
 
Yeah, it's the rear MC and line. Come on, it's my first pics in a while. I had to post SOMETHING. Don't want you guys thinking I fell off the face of the earth or anything.
 
Took a few days off work for some holidays. Finally got this thing out on the road this afternoon. Had to pull the engine and re-seal the bottom end. No more leaks! Runs GREAT for a jetting guess, needles lifted one notch, bench sync, and idles set to 2 turns out. No flat spots or hesitations, LOADS of acceleration in the first three gears (haven't had a chance to try the other 3). Sure can tell these pipes are straight pipes. Idle isn't actually too bad, and just sounds deep and throaty with a slight background of mean, rip your face off kinda snap to it. Rev it up and it gets a little ridiculous, but still isn't too loud when you're on the bike, even without a helmet (don't ask how I know).

Shifting is, um, well, stiff. Clutch works well, but I don't know why the selector isn't meshing right. Could be that I did my test ride in sandals (I know, but I couldn't wait another second to change into my shoes).

Handles well, and seems to ride pretty decent with the 650 springs on the back. Seating and riding position is pretty sweet. Definitely need to get used to it. It's definitely a SMALL bike! Lol!

There will be video and stuff to come. Didn't have time today to fab up a mount for the camera, and there was nobody around to film a drive by.

It's been a long time coming, and a slow process, but I think the end is in sight. Only a few more loose ends to tie up. Don't know yet if I'll put it on the road yet this year, or wait til next spring. Could use the $50/month insurance to put into the GS right now. We'll see. Gotta find a place to get a "safety" done with these straight pipes. Like, maybe the kind that requires a case of beer and the ownership to be presented.
 
Yeah, same here!! Lol! Sorry for the delay guys. Been test riding/showing off to friends, and busy with other stuff. Also, live in a subdivision where cranky old folks live. Had a few stare downs already, and wouldn't be surprised if they call the cops on me. So I try not to disturb their nappy time too much. Shit, I miss living out in the sticks!!! Cow shit and coyotes howlin!! Do whatever, whenever!

Anywho, I hope to have something for you guys tomorrow. I have a lot of video stuff to do.
 
Well, here it is, as promised. Takes forever to upload to youtube. That's me riding it. Still having a little trouble with shifting. Seems a lot better once it's warmed up. Might be the kickstand getting in the way too. Will have to try a run without it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_wJxES4N94
 
That, my friend, is the sound of sweet music. It really sounds great after its warmed up; almost like something you'd hear on the track. It looks great too btw.
 
Man... sounding good bud.

my only worry is that it looks like you have about 1 inch between the wheel and the seat when you are sitting on it.... just worried that it might smack the nice seat.
 
Canuck Plumber said:
That, my friend, is the sound of sweet music. It really sounds great after its warmed up; almost like something you'd hear on the track. It looks great too btw.
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That's exactly what I was thinking today! I watched this video like, 20 times already. Can't get enough! The straight pipes are really starting to grow on me. They bring a smile to my face.


Druro said:
Man... sounding good bud.

my only worry is that it looks like you have about 1 inch between the wheel and the seat when you are sitting on it.... just worried that it might smack the nice seat.
Click to expand...

Yeah, looked at this too, but those are shocks meant for the 650. This bike weighs about half what the 650 does, and the preload is set to the softest. I've hit some not-so-nice bumps already, no noises. Checked for marks on the tire and anywhere it would hit, nothing yet. I think it helps that a fair bit of weight is placed over the front end too. In retrospect, should have really gone for longer rear shocks, but I REALLY like the low look of this. It rides pretty nice actually. Just wish I could take it on a longer tour than from corner to corner. :(
 
Awesome rudy! Nice video, bike sounds great. Especially when warmed up (as Canuck stated).

Your neighbours must love you ;D
 
Thanks for the good words guys! Feels good to finally have this thing coming to an end so I can get to other projects.



HerrDeacon said:
Awesome rudy! Nice video, bike sounds great. Especially when warmed up (as Canuck stated).

Your neighbours must love you ;D
Click to expand...


Ha ha! Most of my neighbors are gone on holidays right now, and the ones within a few houses either have bikes/loud bikes/loud cars, or just don't care. Nobody has complained yet. Just gotta watch out for the cranky old folks around the corners.
 
Hello Rudy :

How is your new electronic gauge working out ? what cables and so on did you have to buy to get it to work ? I want to egt the same gauge for my 650.
 
The kit comes with everything you need. It works pretty well. Just mounted the magnet pickup for the speed sensor today. Pretty slick, and definitely worth looking into. Easy to read, easy to set up. Quite readable in the daylight as well as the night. And it has a clock!
 
Dudes! I know it's been a while since I posted anything, but check this stuff out!!

DSCF2290.jpg


DSCF2295.jpg


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Just got the stuff stuck on tonight. Took a while for my roomie to get around to cutting the stuff out. Polished, masked with vinyl, then sandblasted for the tank badges. The one on the tail is just polished, and pretty simple. Lemme know what you think. Bike is pretty much 99% complete. Completely SEXY!!
 
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