Bandit 400 non runner

[McTigue]

Hi BCF,

I recently purchased a Bandit 400 1990 import from a bloke in Barnsley. Was informed it was a non runner.

So i've got it back and have been figuring out how to go about getting the bike into working order and this is where hopefully you guys and girls come in.

First things first, this bike has been stood for 5 years.
So it doesn't start. When trying to start the bike the solonoid is clicking and it has a brand new solonoid, to which i'm guessing the starter motor is knackered or jammed.

The tank is full of sludge and old petrol to which i can't get it all out.

There seems to be a brake that is slightly locked on and the throttle just doesn't have any play it seems knackered.

This is my first rebuild and repair so I'm wondering, how do i go about attacking these problems and what else should I be looking out for?

Thanks alot.

Dan

[smegballs]

Get a good battery on there, car battery with leads will do.

Clicky solenoids usually indicated low battery voltage.

The load when the solenoid fires, causes voltage drop which causes the solenoid to release. Hence the click.

[Captain Liberious]

Hi mate, as above - get a good battery in it. But before trying to start it I would advise taking the starter motor apart and giving it a clean. If they've been sat for a while they can rust solid and it wont do it any good trying to use it. Dont know what your starter will look like, but usually the gear on the end will have a circlip that holds it on, then undo the 2 long screws/ bolts (spray with WD40 in advance), remove the commutator and polish it with very fine sandpaper. Check the brushes are in good nic.
You'll need to flush the tank out properly before using it, and even after you've done so you should get a fuel filter there to stop any crap getting into your carbs. In the meantime you can use a funnel and hose connected to the carb to get it running.
Take the carbs apart and give them a thorough clean. Check all your plugs are sparking. Drain the old engine oil and put new stuff in, replace the air filter or just remove it for now.
Hope this helps - if you need owt just give es a shout!
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A squid eating dough in a polyethelene bag is fast and bulbous, got me?

[orac]

i got a PDF manual if you want a copy

PM me if you do

starter motor is held onto the engine with 2 bolts (one has the eart for the engine on it) and the motor is held together with 2 bolts.

carbs strip and clean them, for just getting it started i would suggest plugging the vacuum tube and using a wasching up liquid bottle as a small prime tank until you can either replace or clean the origanal tank. 1 3/4 turn on the pilot screw is stock setting

brakes, strip clean and rebuild the calipers, just had to to do my rear, road salt got in behind the gatter style dust seals and caused binding of the piston and thus the brake as a whole - there are no short cuts with this - as i have heard people say before, the bike doesnt have to go, but it will have to stop
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[haroman666]

Before you mucking about getting the starter motor sorted and then end up scoring the bores of the engine, pour a wee bit of oil down each spark plug hole into the cylinders, then take the generator cover off and turn the engine over by hand.

If it's seized then you may want to re-consider whether to go ahead with the project.
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Alpha-9]

Clicking is low battery.
5 years of being sat I wouldn't have tried to start it straight away, drain the tank, clean the carb, check the oil etc
The risk is that the tanks full of rust and shit and it's now in the engine, but as the starter didnt do shit it wouldn't have turned over I guess

What haroman said, he's a good lad that one
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Fzr-600 1999

[haroman666]

Oh Alpha don't... You'll make me blush!
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Teflon-Mike]