it's coming together pretty nicely

 

Its close now, shouldnt be too long before she runs

 

Looking good! Can't wait to see it done.

 

Interesting... I'd feel better if that bolted frame section were actually welded, unless you're still finessing the frame geometry. I probably missed it, but how will you mount the shifter, brake and footrests? You plan to alter the steering head/fork angle too?

 

I've seen other bolt on hardtails, and there are a few that are just as simple, if not simpler, than this one. Its a pretty sturdy piece, tougher than any other part of the original frame to begin with. I've seen other kits with even weaker pieces of metal, but they still managed. I don't forsee any problems with the strength of the strut I used. Welding though, may be an option later on, if I start to think its necessary. I like the idea of being able to take the strut out if i ever need to though..

as for the foot controls. The pegs you see there are the original pegs in original location. The brake linkage isn't back on yet, but I'll probably get to that during the week. The shifter is directly connected to the transmission, and its within toes reach of the left foot peg. The motor/foot controls will all be in the stock location.

The fork angle was inadvertently altered via the lowering of the rear. I dropped the rear by about 3 inches, so the angle between the bottom of the frame, and the ground increased, so that the nose effectivly points a few degrees up. The actual mounting point of the forks has not changed, it has just increased in relative angle because of the lowering in the rear

 

Managed to find some pics of other XS400Js that have been hardtailed thanks to another forum member on the bike forums



UNfortunately, it turns out sporty tanks, and alot of others, don't fit the bike without mods because of the weird *** heck pressed frame area. Lamesauwseee

I am gonna experiment and see if I can find an easy way to mod a sportster tank when my friend lets me borrow his to test fit it, otherwise I'm gonna look for some two piece tanks like on older indians




These can get pretty expensive though.. It will be interesting to see what else will work...

 

You're making me want a bike too!

 

its cuz bikes are awwwweeesssssommmmeeeee

 

I would even go as far as getting rid of the stang if I see a good one! Oh, sorry I didn't see you there, teal buddy, no I wont ever ger rid of you (yeah right )

 

Lol, getting rid of the stang might be a bit sacreligious though...

 

uh-huh

 

The motor is COMPLETELY In now. Got the bolts for the upper mounts and they just need to be tightened and trimmed (i bought them extra long, because thats better than coming up short)

(teeheeehee, "thats what SHE said!")

I also put the exhaust on its starting to look like a bike again

 

The pointy silver thing with the orange mark on it will that be your seat

 

heh, I don't think so ed

Thats a traffic cone from the research center at UC Ber----

I mean. Its just a traffic cone of no consequence

 

Arin the bobber looks good.

Please be very careful when you try to ride this, you should test it thoroughly. You have modified this immensely, and I would never want anything to happen to the "God of Posts" so keep it slow for a while and test the stress qualities of that frame.

 

me either but listen to the Vice Pres of Posts lol

 

Travel tent for Arin ? I think my friend that you will have trouble fitting into it.

 

Thanks guys

I don't plan on riding this thing fast ever. 65 will be plenty fast for me, and even thats not for a while. I still havent gotten around to taking the riding test (mostly because of a lack of running motorcycle) so I can only ride during the day, with no passengers (unless she is 21 and has a full license) and off of the freeways.

with regard to the strength of the frame though, there is not too much to worry about. All the frame thats been removed so far was only there for holding up the original seats/sissy bar/rear fender/faring. I realize that somehow it would have inadvertantly contributed to the rigidity of the frame, but whatever that area provided wouldnt be neccessary for the overall strength of the bike. Additionally, the hardtail strut is pretty much the strongest piece of steel on the bike, strong than any other part of the frame. I'm more than confident it will be alright with the modest power from this motor, and from my scrawniness. It's only job is to handle the stress of the monoshock and spring, which it can do with no problem

The diagrame shows where it was cut, and what forces would have been acting upon the now removed area. all it did was give the strength to hold up the weight of the rider. As you can see, it never really did anything to help strengthen the bike.



But, despite all of that, I will definitely be taking it easy on this bike for a good long while. Its mostly just for easy cruising in the first place, and I'm also not afraid to admit that I am plenty scared of going fast on any bike in general. I just want to finally be on two wheels, and look awesome doing it

And no travel tents on this bike

 

I like the rear wheel reminds me of my Maxim 550

 

Thats probably because its the same wheel, and because my bike is also a Maxim, though a bit smaller than yours

This bike shared alot of parts with the smaller XS400 and with the larger XJ-series of bikes. Its sort of an inbetween bike. It was the second from the top of the Yamaha XS series (only the XS400J Seca was over this bike, and the two of them shared a frame and basic engine and most of the running gear)

Its funny how much the all the Yamaha XSs and XJs had in common. Do you have any pics of your old bike Ed?