1979 Yamaha xs400

A long going project. I've got most the mechanical and electrical bits sorted. I will need to rebuild the clutch soon but its not gone yet. And, as I told myself when I picked her up two years ago, when I get her running then I'll give her a good "wash", or maybe go a few steps further than that.

When I brought her home, please note the sweet 70's mud flap.

You can really appreciate the cruiser handle bars in this shot.

Some inspiration from a trip to Belgium. A Yamaha SR500 which they still make and export everywhere but the US and an old bimmer model unknown as I don'r know too much about them. Still sharp looking though.

Wrench monkees. XS500 same model but higher displacement than mine. These guys are based out of Germany and have a great style and work on all types of bikes. A nice change from coppers. http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/

"We don't need no stinking badges!" New mufflers, a bit shorter a bit louder. Also a set of daytona bars flipped for the poor mans clipon/cafe bar look, and a sore back.

My girl picked up a '77 xs360/400 tank for my birthday last year. Finally time to get some work done on it.

Ahhh, dents. Oh yeh, and sweet gold decals. Did I mention 1977.

This is what it looks like when you use paint stripper. Those 32 year old decals are hanging on for dear life. I'm not sure what kind of adhesive they used back then but it migrated through the paint and etched itself into the primer.

More dents.

Never used filler, AKA Bondo, before. Took three layers.

If you alternate colors on your primer, when sanding, you can use the striations as indicators of your still uneven surface and how much work you still have left after three thick layers of primer.
Tank and wheel painting is next up.