Buying a bike? Checklist? Um GSXR 400?

**mynameis** · 10th January 2007, 15:40

Hey guys and girls, just looking at buying a 1990 GSX R 400 from Trade Me if the price is right. I am going down to Hamilton to view and test ride the bike tomorrow (Thursday 11th).

I've made a list of things to check, which can be done by myself, then and there. Obviously there will be certain assessment/checks which have to be carried out by professionals at a Workshop and isn't possible/practical to check on others bike just like that. E.g. Headbearings, Clutch, Carbs, Cams, Valves ect..ect.. So therefore I will do everything I can in my capacity.

My main concern here is the bike has had a second hand CDI fitted in, from another Gixxer 400 which was a race bike and the CDI's owner claims it is a "better" (than a standard one) CDI for whatever reason. I have spoken to the current owner and he says he can't see any difference or problems with it.

Any information, help and advice on this would be appreciated. Also if you have owned, raced or ridden a Gixxer 400 and can advice me on what things I should look out for before I buy it, would be really awesome!

Here is the link to the auction:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=83607682

Thanks for your help in advance.

mynameis

**gamgee** · 10th January 2007, 16:21

maybe deristricted version, so it can crack 180km/h if you want?

**mynameis** · 10th January 2007, 16:43

Originally Posted by gamgee

maybe deristricted version, so it can crack 180km/h if you want?

Possibly considering, it was from a race bike. My worries are would it screw up the current bike which I want to buy in any form or other in terms of timing and reving especially if it wasn't done properly? I don't have much knowledge in that area aye sob sob ..

mynameis

**bugjuice** · 10th January 2007, 16:49

just ride it and listen for anything that sounds dodgy or tinkers a bit too loud.. those bikes are pretty solid if it's had a decent life. To check if it's been raced, have a look at the sump plug under the engine. Regulations say that they need to be lock-wired, which means drilling a hole in the sump plug to feed the wire thru.

then just look for any shoddy workmanship. more you find, the more you can knock off..

**mynameis** · 10th January 2007, 16:57

Originally Posted by bugjuice

just ride it and listen for anything that sounds dodgy or tinkers a bit too loud.. those bikes are pretty solid if it's had a decent life. To check if it's been raced, have a look at the sump plug under the engine. Regulations say that they need to be lock-wired, which means drilling a hole in the sump plug to feed the wire thru.

then just look for any shoddy workmanship. more you find, the more you can knock off..

Cheers have that on my list to look out for, 1/16 holes but again sump bolts can be changed easily. Was thinking of running a VIR and chatting with old owners but again not sure if that would sink in well or not. I am guessing 45 000 k's for that bike aint too bad.

mynameis

**mynameis** · 11th January 2007, 17:08

Just went down to Hamilton today to view/check and test ride the bike. Must say I am impressed with it, in terms of performance and condition for it's age and price too.

My main concern was the CDI (from the race bike), but after test riding it I can say fairly positively that there isn't any problems. Basically reved it all the way up on gears I could and I didn't encounter any problems like cutting out or timing out or missing.

One small problem, neutral light is always on irrespective of what gear you are on. Any one has any explanation? I hope the final price is within my budget (it's an auction) and the bike will be mine if not I'll have to pass, bub bye

mynameis

**El Dopa** · 11th January 2007, 18:41

Originally Posted by mynameis

My main concern here is the bike has had a second hand CDI fitted in, from another Gixxer 400 which was a race bike and the CDI's owner claims it is a "better" (than a standard one) CDI for whatever reason. I have spoken to the current owner and he says he can't see any difference or problems with it.

The CDI's on these bike are quite notorious for crapping out, so it is quite possible the guy has genuinely fitted a better (albeit still second-hand) CDI unit which has improved things over the one that was in there. Try to get him to give you both, if he still has them both.

**jade** · 11th January 2007, 18:54

I just would have thought with a race cdi you wouldnt have the indicators etc...
but it has a warrant so it must have

**geoffm** · 11th January 2007, 19:52

If it is the Hyperpak CDI fro ERD, they make no difference whatsoever to the power output, and I have the dyno chart to prove it...
The stock CDIs are notoriously weak in their old age - I wouldn't worry about it. Other than that, they are pretty good bikes, if maintained.
Geoff

**mynameis** · 12th January 2007, 11:08

Originally Posted by El Dopa

The CDI's on these bike are quite notorious for crapping out, so it is quite possible the guy has genuinely fitted a better (albeit still second-hand) CDI unit which has improved things over the one that was in there. Try to get him to give you both, if he still has them both.

Cheers good point man, yeah he showed me the old one aye. Apparently it was fixed by some Auckland company who are well known for their crap work and it shat itself so he got a second hand one from a racer!

But if I win the auction then I will get the old CDI as well any other parts he had from the bike

Thanks again.

mynameis

**mynameis** · 12th January 2007, 11:10

Originally Posted by geoffm

If it is the Hyperpak CDI fro ERD, they make no difference whatsoever to the power output, and I have the dyno chart to prove it...
The stock CDIs are notoriously weak in their old age - I wouldn't worry about it. Other than that, they are pretty good bikes, if maintained.
Geoff

Sweet I will also check for that mate

mynameis

**owner** · 12th January 2007, 17:05

Hey mate. I payed 4000 cash for a 92 from hamvegas. It ran sooo sweet ......
for two weeks, it died on boxing day.Ruining my holidays Its been in the shop since then.Still dont know whats wrong.apart from no compression.I asked at colemans and mt eden if they could fix it They said "We wouldn't touch it. it is to old " Im up for a massive bill and plenty more bikeless days. I will sell it as soon as it is fixed. and buy something newish My point.... pay a shop to check it out before you buy it, If you do buy it. get it serviced before riding it. New fluids all round and maybe camchain
I used to like gsxrs. good luck

**El Dopa** · 12th January 2007, 18:53

Originally Posted by mynameis

Cheers good point man, yeah he showed me the old one aye. Apparently it was fixed by some Auckland company who are well known for their crap work and it shat itself so he got a second hand one from a racer!

But if I win the auction then I will get the old CDI as well any other parts he had from the bike

Thanks again.

mynameis

Hyperpak have a bit of a crap reputation, to say the least. I'll bet that is the 'Auckland company' he's talking about.

Might be an idea to carry the old/spare one with you when you ride. Apparently some guys have been stranded mid-ride when the old one gives up.

The engine on the Bandit 400 is almost exactly the same engine, so if you're thinking about spares or whatever, bear that in mind.

http://www.gsxr400.com

http://www.banditalley.com

PS, they are really decent bikes if you get a good condition one - just a bit harder to find parts for, and a bit older so stuff tends to break a wee bit more frequently.

**Karma** · 12th January 2007, 18:59

Originally Posted by owner

I asked at colemans and mt eden if they could fix it They said "We wouldn't touch it. it is to old "

What a load of shit.

**mynameis** · 13th January 2007, 01:40

Originally Posted by owner

Hey mate. I payed 4000 cash for a 92 from hamvegas. It ran sooo sweet ......
for two weeks, it died on boxing day.Ruining my holidays Its been in the shop since then.Still dont know whats wrong.apart from no compression.I asked at colemans and mt eden if they could fix it They said "We wouldn't touch it. it is to old " Im up for a massive bill and plenty more bikeless days. I will sell it as soon as it is fixed. and buy something newish My point.... pay a shop to check it out before you buy it, If you do buy it. get it serviced before riding it. New fluids all round and maybe camchain
I used to like gsxrs. good luck

Hey owner,

Thanks for sharing your experience with your 92 Gixxer 400. Sorry to hear it's crapped out, but to be perfectly honest I've heard a range of comments from people who know about the bike. Like it's a complete shitter to it's the best 400 ever. 0oh well guess one can be the judge. But I do know CDI's, Compression and Valves are hard on them.

As for a full check yes you are right to a certain extent. But even if I did get a 101 point check done by a professional, it does not completely eliminate the possibilities of the bike failing. Yes, it is a piece of mind and a better assurance in comparison to just doing a basic check.

How and Why?

Well say if I did a 101 point check on it, bought the bike and then spent a further $1000 carrying out maintance work (just say for argument sake) doing work like valves carbs compression ect it still could run sweet for the next 3 months and then shit out. Just the fact that the engine has done 45000k's and it's 17 years old.

So What Now?

Guess it just depends on how much you would want to risk it, personally speaking I would

But again price would be a key factor here.

mynameis