Potential Project: GPX400R

[Thom]

https://i34.tinypic.com/2mzmwkn.jpg

After recently buying the above bike (sorry i'm using the eBay image, i haven't gotten any decent ones yet) i'm wondering that seeing as i got it so cheap what i should actually do with it.

In my mind i have four options:
1) Sell it now and make a profit of between £300 and £600
2) Ride it until summer and sell it before i go to uni to fund a sports tourer, better suited to the 350mile motorway journey.
3) Customise it with USD's and other performance parts to create a one off sports 400
4) Ride it and keep it until it begins to appreciate as the GPZ models are.

I bought the bike for £400, its almost mint, therefore everyone reckons theres an easy profit to be made, but im in no hurry for the money to be honest. It only has 31000km as well so its fairly low mileage.

As im not desperate for the money im tempted to play on it for a year (including through winter) and sell it just before i go to uni in favour of a VFR750/800, giving me the apportunity to save up for the bigger bike.

But im tempted to customise it as it's already a very nice bike i feel the only thing letting it down are it's exhaust system and front forks.

Then again, its one of very few GPX400's. It was the bike which apparantly inspired the ZZR and ZXR's and also it's bigger brothers the gpx600 and gpx750 are gradually increasing in value if you can find a good example. Very few 400's were made so maybe theres money to be had until it's truely a classic, considering i can happily store this for as long as i wish.

Im tempted to do either the keep it until summer or customise it, but i dont want to ruin its value by binning it or tarting it up.

What dya think?
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Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[torpedo]

keep it standard i reckon. not worth messing with a good example.
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GS 500 E ...... and i like it

[virus]

Keep it standard and muck around on it for a while, I doubt the resale value of that will go down in a year, its already a classic.


Cheers
John
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Thom]

Looks like this is gunna be what i do then!

Today i got some more snaps and showed a bike dealer whos a mate of mine, He offered me a straight £1100 as he collects 80's/90's 400's.

Im keeping it but i was impressed with that price!
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Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[CHR15]

if you want a better exhaust motad do a stainless thingyou could bung on, looks better than the origional.

i bought one about 3 weeks ago, its turning into a streetfighter mainly due to the damage to fairings, and the fact i like tubular frames, and its got a nice shiney exhaust.

have you had a look about insurance yet. expencive or not? compared to other 400's
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Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[Thom]

I would love a fighter but ive decided this thing is a beaut and after being offered such a large amount as apposed to what i paid its staying 100% original until next summer when i need a sports tourer.

The insurance is good, with it being a classic and quite rare. only £400 TPFT with 1 years NCB
____________________
Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[chris-red]

I'd flog it for 1100.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[tutton]

Me too,
Especially if your going to be riding it around in the Salt/winter conditions now, best wash it like every ride and that.
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[ms51ves3]

[Thom]

i must admit im very much tempted but considering i dont ride much anyway im wondering if it will sell for much more next summer...

i mean, if i sold this for £1100 now i could put another £700 towards it and get a viffer 800, tempting....
____________________
Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[virus]

Id sell it, and im a bit of a GPZ/GPX nut at the moment.


*goes back to pondering 1100 engine for the gpz750*




Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Thom]

[CHR15]

this is mine as of now, anyone have any ideas on how to raise the rear a bit, i dont like the seat hight.

[img][/img]
____________________
Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[CHR15]

oh, the image didnt attach. fail.
____________________
Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.