XS400 in my garage

[Mach-5(50)]

Hey all. I brought her home last night. '77 Yamaha XS400. Found her on Craigslist here in southern Oregon. (And, if anyone is interested, the guy I bought it from has a whole "shed" full of bikes, including 3 CB360's.) I tell you what to, I end up meeting some of the nicest people on Craigslist. My wife and I talked to the guy for quite a while, and would have stayed longer, except I had a softball game. Nevertheless, $650 later, title in hand, I am the new owner. She starts quick, runs good and is in great shape overall. She has a few hiccups, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a 32 year old bike. Carbs are a little sticky, I think, its missing mirrors, and part of the tail section behind the seat. The tank has some scrapes, but only a couple of minor dings. Side covers are original, in tact, but slightly faded, and the sticker trim is starting to flake off. All the electrical appears to be mostly unmolested. Tires will be a must before she is truly road worthy, as they are allegedly original. Disks front and rear. The mufflers are garbage, as the ends are pretty well rotted out, and wrapped in HVAC tape. For some reason the gauge faces are wasted. one is just broken, and the other is all warped. But, have you seen the seat? Its fricken perfect!
My plans, of course, are to give it some basic cafe racer style treatment. Just to reassure all of you original junkies, I don't plan on doing anything that can't be undone, on bolted, or otherwise returned to original. Bars for sure, but still undecided. I may not go with clubman's, as this is will be my primary rider. I am curious to see if I can find some Norman Hyde "M" bars, or may be keep it simple with super bike bars. I am considering swapping out the turn signals, for something a little more sleek. I am thinking a fiberglass, solo seat, cause this is MY bike. The wife can ride on the CB with me when I get it done. And, I will then decide what to do with the rear fender and tail light assembly. First and foremost, I need to get riding!!!
Opinions, ideas, and parts resources are most certainly appreciated. Thanks.

Ryan

 

[gribbs]

Those wheels look really good on that, normally I don't dig em myself. Nice find man

 

[Darmstro]

That looks like a lot like my 77 XS500, before I tore it apart of course. I wonder if they share the same tail piece. I think I still have it kicking around if you want it.

 

[Mach-5(50)]

Yes, if you have it around, I am absolutely interested. Let me know. I am thinking about ditching the rack, but would love to have that tail piece to make it look right. Please let me know.
Care to share any photos of yours? Also, do you have any good parts sources, or sources for info. I am finding the sources on these bikes is few and far between. Whatever you can offer is appreciated.

Later,

Ryan

 

[DetroitRockCity]

nice find!

i would keep that seat as it follows the clean straight lines of the bike . just ditch that rack and rear fender and tuck a taillight/plate holder combo up in behind it real tight like...


lower the bars, get some tiny directionals and you look good to go!

 

[Darmstro]

Yes, if you have it around, I am absolutely interested. Let me know. I am thinking about ditching the rack, but would love to have that tail piece to make it look right. Please let me know.
Care to share any photos of yours? Also, do you have any good parts sources, or sources for info. I am finding the sources on these bikes is few and far between. Whatever you can offer is appreciated.

Later,

Ryan

My biggest parts source has been Mikesxs.com/XS650direct.com. A lot of the parts on the 70's yamahas were interchangeable. I've bought fork seals, swingarm bushings, steering bearings, etc, from there, and I have a bunch of other stuff I want to order. Another way I search parts is by using a parts microfiche on cmsnl.com. Look up the OEM part numbers for the parts you're looking for and then type them into google. Boats.net, as odd as it sounds, stocks a wide variety of NOS parts as well. I owned a 79 XS400 and had the same problem with finding parts. You just need to get creative in your searching.

I checked CMSNL.com to see if the cowl is the same. The part number is different and the mounting points are a bit different. I'll see if I can find my old cowl and take some measurements. Might be able to make it work.

 

[coolatula]

Yes nice find,I would just keep the seat and just build a removable fiberglass solo style cover. That way you have the looks of a solo seat,but the comfort of your stock seat. If you get the tail section for it you could just blend a solo cover into that also.

Those wheels are cool also,look like the cast RD wheels. Some people "Speed Hole" them to give them a lighter look. I've seen a couple on the net/two strokers forum and if done correctly it does look pretty cool.