Kawasaki Gee-Pee-Egg's 400r

[Thom]

Well while im stuck with this bike (Because to be fair i need something bigger) i figured id do a bit of whoring.

I bought the bike last month for £420 including delivery, and spent a considerable lump on replacing the consumables to get it up to an MOT standard. Still awaiting insurance and MOT but then i might have a bit of fun on the wee beastie.

What dya think? I rather like it in a weird 'classic' sort of way.

https://i39.tinypic.com/iw3dsg.jpg

https://i40.tinypic.com/2qc2teg.jpg

https://i44.tinypic.com/153bkvq.jpg

https://i41.tinypic.com/b4ycnk.jpg

Sorry some of the pics are poor, infact all of them, and these are the only few i have, but i think it gives a decent idea of the condition of this classic.

If i decide to hold onto it it's going to be completely restored, starting with the frame being powedercoated.
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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)

[joe.]

looks nice, are these the same engines as used in the gpz400r and what is the difference between them
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current: firestorm
previous:gsxr 750, rsv, fz6, xj6, firestorm, bandit 600/825, zx7r, gpz500, gs500, zzr600, xj600, zzr600, cbr 600, xj600, cb500, Kawasaki Gpz500, Aprilia rs125, Suzuki gs 125, Kawasaki gpz 500, Suzuki gt 185, Yamaha dtr 125, Yamaha ybr 125, cagiva mito, Yamaha dtr 125, Honda ns 125, Honda cb 125t, derbi senda, gilera dna, peugoet speedfight, gilera runner, mbk mach G, gilera gsm, derbi gpr, peugeot speedfight, italjet formula, derbi predator. since january 2009.

[Thom]

Informations been VERY hard to come by for this bike. I'll tell you what i know, however im still trying to uncover its history really!

This bike shares the same engine as that of the gpx600r, however with smaller cylinders and pistons. This meaning it is putting out less power but also means the engine should run well into high mileages as its taking considerably less force than it was designed to do so in the 600.

However i dont believe the engines are the same, im not sure of the actual mechanical differences however the GPX puts out a higher compression, has a wider bore but a shorter piston stroke, the GPX puts out 10bhp more than stated with the GPZ and also at higher revs, and as far as i can tell the gpz is air cooled whereas the GPX is liquid cooled.

I think the GPZ was what the ZZR came from, and the GPX is where the ZXR was derived from. One being the sports tourer and the other the sports.
____________________
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]

Sounds like its not the same as a gpx600 engine then, why would they shorten the stroke to make a smaller lump when you could just make a small bore kit?


Good bike though, looks to be in good nick, classic pointy styling to it.

p.s. the ZXR was derived from the GPZ (big Z = watercooled) series, Such as the 900r and the 1000rx.

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]

Edit: i think i may have mixed up what i said. the gpz and gpx differences are listed. not the gpx400 to gpx 600 differences.

I may have been misinformed then, i mean the information i have on the bike came from the collector who expressed interest.

Virus, the stroke of the gpx400-600 hasnt changed, just the bore size i believe. Which is why if you get the pistons and cylinder bitc its APPRANTLY a straight awap.

A bit more information:

"Kawasaki

Kawasaki revived the multi-cylinder 400cc market with the Z400FX in 1979, an air-cooled two-valve-per cylinder model which was followed by the Z400GP in 1982 and the GPZ400F in 1983.

In 1985 Kawasaki produced its first 16-valve liquid-cooled 400cc model, the GPZ400R. The bike featured the same type of aluminum double-cradle “cross frame”, with the engine enclosed by tubes just like the GPZ600R. While its competitors were undisguised race-replicas, the GPZ was a practical bike offering comfort with its low seat and excellent wind protection. Its long wheelbase gave it stable and easy handling. It was a unique offering, and hugely popular. It was also not slow in spite of its touring orientation; with a lot of low to midrange torque, and power increased way beyond 8000rpm until way beyond its quoted peak at 12000rpm. This set the template for its replacement, the ZZ-R400 in 1990.

Kawasaki launched the GPX400, a sportier version of the GPZ, followed by the ZX-4 in 1988.

The Kawasaki ZX-4 was replaced by the ZXR400 in 1989, which ran alongside the ZZ-R400."
____________________
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]

[Thom]

what you've got to remember though is although your engine was designed tot ake the strain a 900 engine would put on it, an extra 300cc from a 1200 could very well see it collapse!
____________________
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)

[Itchy]

Along with Mudskipper's GSXR1100 slabby , 80s bikes are all very square aren't they... but then the 90s went into jelly mold style ...
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Thom]

considering im only 18 im quite surprised in my taste in bikes really as most of the 'kids' prefer the new pointy things.

I personally prefer the flat/square front faring of the 80's 90's bikes and the whole overall shape.

I ADORE the rear of the NC29 in all its boxy goodness

Also the fairings of these older bikes feel alot better quality than those of newer bikes. maybe the 80's/90's did get it right?
____________________
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]

Yeah, I much prefer 80s kit.

boxy retro agressive look is awesome, never been a fan of jellymould styling (new teapot for example) and the new stuff is slowly becoming more pointy, which is good.


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]

Oh, and they're affordable
____________________
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)

[Steve-D]

Interesting read, I've got a ZX4, so from what I've just learnt is the model up from yours.
Mine has been built from the ground up.
Frame, swingarm, wheels brackets ect ect powdercoated, ZXR 400 USD forks, just got to be resprayed then MOT ect.
This is how mine will look once its done, but with USD's.
https://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i192/stevie__d/2527ZX4-b-large1.jpg?t=1230231714

My advice, Don't bother, they are worth feck all even though I've spent over 1500 on mine, I doubt I would get more than a grand for it. If you bin it spares are imposible to get.
Such a shame really but I have to get rid of 1 bike, and the ZX loses out.
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www.southwestbikers.com
Tristan The said 'Dunno what my pace will be like, fastish slow puncture on the rear and if I go too fast I risk my 'keys' falling out'

[Thom]

my gpx 400 is actually a ZX4-F1.

How much you looking to get rid of yours for like mate? gorgous bike!
____________________
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)

[Steve-D]

As much as possible!!
Probably advertise it at around 1500 or so, and hope I can get as close to that as possible, it is completely 100% mint.
It owes me over 2k including buying the bike and at 17 working part time, thats a lot of money.
I would love to keep it but I would be terrified of riding it, just in case I bin it.
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www.southwestbikers.com
Tristan The said 'Dunno what my pace will be like, fastish slow puncture on the rear and if I go too fast I risk my 'keys' falling out'