Suzuki GSX400X Impulse 1987

[Bike Pantha]

Suzuki GSX400X Impulse 1987

Very Original naked four cylinder 4-stroke liquid cooled bike

Tyres only a few months old

Registration till 30th April
Wof till 25th March

Has pack rack (but no bag)

I have ridden this bike daily between Wainuiomata and Wellington (plus other trips) for just over a year but have now bought a much newer bike so this one needs to go

Fun and easy to ride, plenty of power!

A lot of people have said it is hard to find one of these in such good condition.

If you would like to come and see this bike send me a text or call me.

It is in Wainuiomata (and if getting over the hill is a problem, as I know it is for some people, I could meet you in Lower Hutt)

**Please be aware though that I have found it doesn't like to sit in start/stop peak hour traffic on the Hutt-Wellington motorway for too long as the cooling system on these old bikes isn't the best design.....
....If you don't sit in start/stop traffic for ages it's fine, I just left for work a little earlier to get around that**

If you would like to see it please call/text Julz on 021 134 1000 or (04) 976-1918

Asking $2,200 or near offer, as I said I have a new bike so keen to sell !

[cheesemethod]

What a minter! I've got the same bike, but in nowhere near as nice a condition. Just wondering how many Ks you get on a tank?

[hmmmnz]

wicked, i had one of those, pretty good off road as well :D

[quickbuck]

Great looking specimen,and good luck with the sale.

[Bike Pantha]

To be honest I've never taken any notice of how many K's it does on a tank. Because the fuel guage is trustworthy I just fill it when it's getting low, and I don't reset the counter. How many do you get out of yours, out of interest?

[Drew]

That is a well tidy example. About the running warm thing though, the cooling system on that bike should be well capable of dealing with traffic, does the fan come on when it warms up?

[kiwifruit]

Now thats a cool bike

[quickbuck]

Now thats a cool bike

I know a guy that put an RG500 fairing on one back in the early 90's...... Looked real nice at the time.
The thing is, the fairing would be like GOLD now, and the bike would be worth more left original....
Strange world.

I also know a guy who did a straight swat of his VF500 for a brand new Impulse when they were first released.... Thought he was nuts...
He was rather smart as it transpired.....

[Bike Pantha]

That is a well tidy example. About the running warm thing though, the cooling system on that bike should be well capable of dealing with traffic, does the fan come on when it warms up?

Yes the fan comes on when the temp guage gets to about halfway or just under and it cools the bike down but then if still in traffice it goes back up again. The temp will go up and down about four times then it will just give up and stall. A few mechanics have had a look at it and there seems to be nothing that can be done short of puttting a bigger radiator on it. The coils had already been replaced as this model had problems with the original ones, I was told the coolant tank is too small, the radiator too small and the fan blows the hot air onto the coils. Bad design was the conclusion.

Anyone else had any problem with theirs ?

[RDjase]

Now thats a cool bike

Unless its in peak hour traffic.......................

Good to see there are some tidy ones left, there were heaps of these around in the late 80s, Used to ride with a mate that had one on my LC in the early 90s , Still got the LC and he long since crashed and wrecked his Impulse

Hope it finds a good home

PS, you can race it in F3 and Pre89 Post Classic too !

[quickbuck]

PS, you can race it in F3 and Pre89 Post Classic too !
TRUE... 'Cos there isn't much Traffic there.... Well, not really.

No problems getting the wrong plastic on them either.... ;)

[RDjase]

TRUE... 'Cos there isn't much Traffic there.... Well, not really.

No problems getting the wrong plastic on them either.... ;)

Just 40 bikes waiting at the "Traffic Lights" and then stopping after 15 mins. Not a car in site

[quickbuck]

Just 40 bikes waiting at the "Traffic Lights" and then stopping after 15 mins. Not a car in site

There is a Van that appears from time to time though....... ;)

[RDjase]

There is a Van that appears from time to time though....... ;)

and some people stop for a spot of gardening in the grass and have lie downs as well, tiring work out there aye lol

[Drew]

Yes the fan comes on when the temp guage gets to about halfway or just under and it cools the bike down but then if still in traffice it goes back up again. The temp will go up and down about four times then it will just give up and stall. A few mechanics have had a look at it and there seems to be nothing that can be done short of puttting a bigger radiator on it. The coils had already been replaced as this model had problems with the original ones, I was told the coolant tank is too small, the radiator too small and the fan blows the hot air onto the coils. Bad design was the conclusion.

Anyone else had any problem with theirs ?

I'm not trying to put people off or naught, just thinking it shouldn't be an issue.

I would replace the water pump, anyone reading this should not be concerned, as the job is piss easy and likely be for more piece of mind than anything else.

[blenheimrider]

Hi Bike Pantha / all

I have just bought a gsx400x, it does need a good clean, but other than that the only thing that needs doing is the tank needs painting, the graphics are not present and I have been searching for a good photo of the tank for some time now and cannot find a good enough one to give to the guy that is painting the tank so he can do the graphics, do you or has anyone got a good quality close up picture of the tank from either or both sides?

Or does anyone know where I can get a set of graphics?

I would appreciate any help

Regards

Blenheimrider

[Bike Pantha]

Hi blenheimrider,

I can take close up photos of my tank for you. Sorry I don't know where you would be able to get the graphics from though.

I'll try to get them posted on Saturday.

[blenheimrider]

Thanks Bike Pantha it would be really apreciated

regards

Blenheimrider

[RDjase]

Suzuki GSX400X Impulse 1987

Very Original naked four cylinder 4-stroke liquid cooled bike

Tyres only a few months old

Registration till 30th April
Wof till 25th March

Has pack rack (but no bag)

I have ridden this bike daily between Wainuiomata and Wellington (plus other trips) for just over a year but have now bought a much newer bike so this one needs to go

Fun and easy to ride, plenty of power!

A lot of people have said it is hard to find one of these in such good condition.

If you would like to come and see this bike send me a text or call me.

It is in Wainuiomata (and if getting over the hill is a problem, as I know it is for some people, I could meet you in Lower Hutt)

**Please be aware though that I have found it doesn't like to sit in start/stop peak hour traffic on the Hutt-Wellington motorway for too long as the cooling system on these old bikes isn't the best design.....
....If you don't sit in start/stop traffic for ages it's fine, I just left for work a little earlier to get around that**

If you would like to see it please call/text Julz on 021 134 1000 or (04) 976-1918

Asking $2,200 or near offer, as I said I have a new bike so keen to sell !

Is your bike still for sale?

[Bike Pantha]

Hi, yes my bike is still for sale.
I am keen to sell......it's expensive keeping two bikes !

[Bike Pantha]

Hi Blenheimrider,

I have attached tank photos.
If they're not quite right let me know exactly what you want and I can take more.

Hope the painting goes well

Thanks,
Bike Pantha

[BuzzardNZ]

Yes the fan comes on when the temp guage gets to about halfway or just under and it cools the bike down but then if still in traffice it goes back up again. The temp will go up and down about four times then it will just give up and stall. A few mechanics have had a look at it and there seems to be nothing that can be done short of puttting a bigger radiator on it. The coils had already been replaced as this model had problems with the original ones, I was told the coolant tank is too small, the radiator too small and the fan blows the hot air onto the coils. Bad design was the conclusion.

Anyone else had any problem with theirs ?

I had one of these and had exactly the same problems with it overheating and cutting out in stop/start traffic, only way I got around it was keeping the revs up so it wouldn't cut out. Apart from that they are a very quick bike, it was ahead of its time when it came out. Also, have to say out of all the bikes I've owned ( 15 ) the Impulse was my favourite. Used to get the speedo off the clock with ease. Can you still get parts for them?
Good luck with the sale.

[Bike Pantha]

I had one of these and had exactly the same problems with it overheating and cutting out in stop/start traffic, only way I got around it was keeping the revs up so it wouldn't cut out. Apart from that they are a very quick bike, it was ahead of its time when it came out. Also, have to say out of all the bikes I've owned ( 15 ) the Impulse was my favourite. Used to get the speedo off the clock with ease. Can you still get parts for them?
Good luck with the sale.

Thanks for your comments Buzzard NZ, I love mine too it's just that the cutting out is a pain as I mainly commute on my bike(s). I have heard the prolblem was quite common with them.

I will miss it when it finds a new home, I love the buzz when I take it for a hoon every week or so. It just flies.

I haven't needed any parts that haven't been readily available as it seems that other models of Suzukis use the same parts. Also there are lots of parts available from wreckers if needed.

[blenheimrider]

Hi Bike Pantha

Thanks very much for the photos they are excellent

I was right it does say 400 / 16 and DOHC but it is great of you to post the photos, I can now either get some decals made up or get someone to spray them on

By the way If I were in NZ I would be very interested in your bike. This is the one I have bought (on attachment). It has only 9100Km but has been standing for some time, needs a little work

Thanks again

Blenheimrider

[one fast tl1ooo]

ha ha.. cool bike. good luck with the sale :):)

[Bike Pantha]

Hi Bike Pantha

Thanks very much for the photos they are excellent

I was right it does say 400 / 16 and DOHC but it is great of you to post the photos, I can now either get some decals made up or get someone to spray them on

By the way If I were in NZ I would be very interested in your bike. This is the one I have bought (on attachment). It has only 9100Km but has been standing for some time, needs a little work

Thanks again

Blenheimrider

No worries.
Good luck with your bike, I hope youenjoy working on it and it turns out great!
Do you think the odometer may have been round the clock or is 9100km genuine?

[blenheimrider]

Hi Bike Pantha

Yes the odometer is correct, the bike has stood in the back of a shed for 15 years, the pictures are not great either, I have given it a good clean and I am in the process of striping off some parts that have rusted to get them bead blsasted and repainted.

I am taking my time with the restoration and may update on progress

regards

Blenheimrider

[Bike Pantha]

Good stuff Blenheimrider, yes it would be great to see how the restoration is going at some stage down the track :)

[jason123]

Yes the fan comes on when the temp guage gets to about halfway or just under and it cools the bike down but then if still in traffice it goes back up again. The temp will go up and down about four times then it will just give up and stall. A few mechanics have had a look at it and there seems to be nothing that can be done short of puttting a bigger radiator on it. The coils had already been replaced as this model had problems with the original ones, I was told the coolant tank is too small, the radiator too small and the fan blows the hot air onto the coils. Bad design was the conclusion.

Anyone else had any problem with theirs ?

hi there I have one of these too and it seems to have problems with the cooling im suspecting or maybe the carbs,. it starts fine and idles nicely but when it gets to halfway temp it just shuts off and wont start til cool.
so im thinking it might be the floats in the carbs or some kind of fault in the CDI or something that is telling it to turn off.
It's a VERY frustrating problem as I cannot ride it as it just keeps cutting out then willnot start again.
Am taking it to the bikeshop this weekend as a last resort. im sure they (or maybe someone on here,) will know what the problem is as im sure it is an easy fix :D
If anyone has had similar problems,any advice would be a great help :D cheers, Jason.

[BuzzardNZ]

hi there I have one of these too and it seems to have problems with the cooling im suspecting or maybe the carbs,. it starts fine and idles nicely but when it gets to halfway temp it just shuts off and wont start til cool.
so im thinking it might be the floats in the carbs or some kind of fault in the CDI or something that is telling it to turn off.
It's a VERY frustrating problem as I cannot ride it as it just keeps cutting out then willnot start again.
Am taking it to the bikeshop this weekend as a last resort. im sure they (or maybe someone on here,) will know what the problem is as im sure it is an easy fix :D
If anyone has had similar problems,any advice would be a great help :D cheers, Jason.

I had exactly the same problem as you. The only way I could keep it running when this happened was keep the revs high.

Bike shop never sorted it out ( despite taking it in there multiple times ), which was the reason I ended up selling it.

My guess is electrics ( regulator/rectifier ) as this was a common fault in these bikes. Apart from that, I loved mine ( 25 years ago ).

Best of luck getting yours sorted.