Might Have Another 2-Stroke Soon

Message

Smoker · #1 Post by **Smoker** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:47 am

I don't know what the hell I'm doing still up at 0245AM. At least I don't have to go into work early today!

I may have just bought an NS400R. I only offered $150 less than his asking price, so I could most likely get it. I've always been intrigued by this 3 cylinder engine, so maybe is was meant to be.

It's hacked up - not much NS400R left to it, but it has some prety nice mods. I'd probably just hack it up, anyway.

I should know more soon.

nokturnal · #2 Post by **nokturnal** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:29 am

keep in mind engine components (pistons etc) are virtually unavailable for them.

Smoker · #3 Post by **Smoker** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:59 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGa-vQ8HrHc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H94SkUpZ7c

Still thinking about it. Not many OEM or aftermarket parts available.

Smoker · #4 Post by **Smoker** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:09 pm

It's not like I can afford another bike.

I would have to sell my '87 RD350LC which is all OEM and in very good shape.

This NS400R would take a lot of money and time to get it into good shape.

Not a deal, but I rarely see these for sale.

Smoker · #5 Post by **Smoker** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:43 am

nokturnal wrote:keep in mind engine components (pistons etc) are virtually unavailable for them.

Believe me, this feels like a big gamble. I've been going back and forth a lot on whether to proceed.

I'm not going to be happy if I don't buy it, and I'm not going to be happy if I do buy it. I see too many negatives on both sides of the issue.

The reason I decided to make another offer is because I was in the garage staring at the full-bodied OEM '87 RD350LC (which I love), and thought - if it's this or the NS400R...I'd rather have the NS400R.

Not a lot of logical thinking on my part.

I did ask RGVSteve if he could add a single-sided swingarm.

Smoker · #6 Post by **Smoker** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 5:19 am

Bought the bike Thursday night, cancelled the deal Friday night, bought the bike again Saturday.

SEB4LO · #7 Post by **SEB4LO** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:31 am

needs a CR125 barrel swap job

T.RexRacing · #8 Post by **T.RexRacing** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:03 pm

Don't feel bad I'd have bought it too.You may wanna check this
out.

Smoker · #9 Post by **Smoker** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:51 pm

T.RexRacing wrote:Don't feel bad I'd have bought it too.You may wanna check this
out.

Thanks, T.Rex!

I noticed that there is someone from Germany parting out an NS400R right now on Ebay. Probably the same guy.

The second the bike arrives at my house, I'm going to see if any parts are for sale that I might need.

Smoker · #10 Post by **Smoker** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:52 pm

The bike is paid for, is supposed to ship out Saturday and may arrive on Monday.

VMA500 · #11 Post by **VMA500** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:53 am

still plenty of parts on yahoo for the ns400 , even engines

for tuning ......uk !
http://www.terryshepherdtuning.com/

good luck

Desert Panther · #12 Post by **Desert Panther** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:27 pm

Smoker wrote:The bike is paid for, is supposed to ship out Saturday and may arrive on Monday.

Status?

Smoker · #13 Post by **Smoker** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 2:13 pm

Desert Panther wrote:Status?

Arrived yesterday.

Give me a little time to figure out how bad it really is.

Desert Panther · #14 Post by **Desert Panther** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:35 am

Smoker wrote:
Desert Panther wrote:Status?
Arrived yesterday.

Give me a little time to figure out how bad it really is.

Oh man, you're keeping me in suspense! I am happy for you that you scored that bike, I've always liked the NS400R and kicked myself for not buying the only one i ever saw for sale in person. It sold for like 1600 bucks and needed a lot of bodywork as I remember. This was back in 1999.

What company did the shipping on it? expensive? How'd they deliver it? We're you happy with their service or did they bang it up? Sorry if i'm asking too many questions, but I often surf the web late at night and dream of buying some more two stroke exotica!

Smoker · #15 Post by **Smoker** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:29 pm

Desert Panther wrote:[Oh man, you're keeping me in suspense! I am happy for you that you scored that bike, I've always liked the NS400R and kicked myself for not buying the only one i ever saw for sale in person. It sold for like 1600 bucks and needed a lot of bodywork as I remember. This was back in 1999.

What company did the shipping on it? expensive? How'd they deliver it? We're you happy with their service or did they bang it up? Sorry if i'm asking too many questions, but I often surf the web late at night and dream of buying some more two stroke exotica!

I'm happy to answer any questions you have. I wish people posted more in general on this website, just so I can read more about what's happening in the 2-stroke world.

Not trying to be suspenseful, I'm just trying to see what's up with the bike before I post. Let me start by saying that I bought the bike "as-is" and I have no problem with the seller. I didn't ask many details about the bike, and I considered this purchase a "gamble". I was prepared for worse, but was hoping for much, much better.

I haven't spent much time with the bike yet, but my initial impression is it's a total piece of crap, and my money was wasted. I should have bought one that was stock, not modified.

It looks like every modification was done very poorly. The tailpiece was cut so that it rubs on the carbon fiber silencer, ruining the finish on that muffler (plus at least 10 other problems with the tailpiece). The front end conversion was done without modifying the steering stops so that the upper clamp hits and has dented the tank on both sides (plus at least 10 other problems with the front end conversion). These are just two examples, but it looks like almost every part on the bike is bad.

I'll post lots of pics to show you guys that are interested. I'll start another thread about the bike later tonight and fill you guys in on what I've done so far, and I'll try to get some pics up - but it's not going to be pretty!

As far as the shipping company - I don't have any details. It was arranged through the seller. The shipping company left the bike at my house when I wasn't there, even though I asked them not to - and they said they wouldn't.