I think for the most part we like em as close to stock as possible. Every now and then though someone will tinker with something just enough that you pause and think to yourself, ” hmm, that is what that bike needed”.
I think we have such an example here. It is a very tastefully upgraded/updated 1992 GSF400 Bandit. For those scratching their heads, think slightly detuned GSXR400R engine in a naked bike package. We Americans didn’t embrace them and they only lasted two years here.
It’s had a lot of loving attention paid to it, I’ll let the seller explain.
Black powder coated frame, chrome powder coated swingarm, with lift mounts, $850.00 custom YSS rear shock, Reworked front forks with chromate finish, re-engineered brakes-front &rear, premium tires, custom brake lines, custom engineered rear cowl & seat, all new engine electrics including the ECU, coils, regulator, pick-up coil, and the list goes on and on.
What’s been done to the engine you ask?
Complete engine over-haul – new pistons & rings, valves, bearings, trans bearing/shafts, new engine side covers, a complete carb rebuild & re-engineering/jetting, new head gaskets engineered by my shop & Cometic Gasket in Ohio, heads ported, all deck surfaces remachine
The rebuilt carbs.
The upgraded rear end and front brakes. As a budget minded bike it originally had very basic suspension and brakes.
What do you guys think? Did the seller get it right? I sure think so. A little tweak here and there with great attention detail and I think you have a winner. I just wonder about price. The fact is, no matter how nice a 90’s era 400cc bike is, they don’t draw high dollars. Even the last few sellers of the much more exotic NC30’s on Ebay had to lower their expectations.
Click here to take a swing at finding the reserve on this one.
Ian
Not bad, but IMHO I still prefer the red trellis frame and white wheels. I wanted one of those so bad back in the day. Cool that there are still some of these running around.
Great bike and I would ride the hell out of it. Alas, I am broke and don’t even have the $500 current bid price. But, I’ll keep an eye on it and see how high it goes.
Blue bandit with bronze frame is best bandit! Of course, I’m sentimental because it was my first bike. Such a sweet ride, and way better looking than the nasty 600 that followed. These are GREAT bikes.
Yeah, I’m firmly in the Big Love camp for pretty much any 400 inline-4. I’ve never understood why the 4-cylinder bikes didn’t become popular whereas twins typically do much better. The 4s sound SO much sweeter to my ear.
That is the sort of presentation that subtly inspires confidence in a buyer; clean machine everywhere, tidy build & work space. Not quite my flavor of eye candy, but looks to be very well executed. Ditto on the I4 x 100cc bikes- love the wail of those…
I met the guy that owns that bike. Really nice machine, but knowing him I’m sure he want’s a small fortune for it. I don’t remember why he did a full engine rebuild though. 16k doesn’t seem to justify crank and trans bearings.