KH400 - Buyers Guide ???

[Stu D]

Hi Gang,

I've decided to finally do it.
After years of procrastinating i'm going to get a triple.
Though i'd love a H2 750, my wallet and the amount of time i'd actually be able to spend riding means i'd be better off with a KH400.
Is there any "Buyers guide" in the forum (I have searched, didn't find one) that offers buying advice on what to look for ?

I've found a 1976 model that's been imported from the USA about 1 year ago.
Clock says it has 17,000 miles but engine AND crank have been rebuilt.
I thought the KH400 was in a lighter state of tune and wouldn't expect the crank to give up so soon, so alarm bells are ringing that the mileage is bogus. Current owner says there was 20mm of play on the crank which was why it was replaced.
No documentation exists prior to when it was imported to UK.
It's had a few new bits and pieces thrown at it and superficially in the pictures it looks nice enough, though due to comments in the advert I suspect the respray is of pretty poor quality.

So considering it's a USA import, with suspect mileage, a ropey paintjob and a engine that's been recently rebuilt to an unknown quality, what should I check when I view it and what ballpark figure would you suggest it is worth ?
It's advertised for £3,750 (and has MOT)

[Wolfie]

The crank could have been replaced for any number of reasons (mileage being least likely), including being stood around doing nothing for Donkey's years or run out of oil..

Run it and listen, then take it for a ride.. give the running gear the equiv of an MOT check over.

A 40 year old bike, expect some problems.

Sorting them out is why you're here presumably.

[Malcolm]

On the face of it that doesn't look a bad price. My take on it is

Firstly, are the pipes good as they are expensive and rare in good condition and very difficult to refurbish.
If it's had a cheap paint job and a poor seat recover, where else have they done things cheaply?
The KH400 CDI system is a weak point and does fail usually evidenced by problems starting when HOT, get it run for a few miles then ask him to start it in front of you. The CDI parts are available and it's a relatively simple job but still a few hundred pounds
The crank is normal to be replaced as Wolfie says, the seals dry out and shrink with age.
Ask who did the motor build and who rebuilt the crank.
Again, as Wolfie says this is a forty year old bike and even with the best rebuild it WILL be problematic over the months and years

[Stu D]

Thanks for the replies so far, all good stuff.

I appreciate it's an old bike and will need work (yes, that's why i'm here), I just don't want to get ripped off.
I'm an expert at buying over priced tat

Here's the text from the advert.....

"Full nut and bolt restoration, all receipts kept.

New replacement part include:-
Crank rebuild, re-bore, new pistons, tyres, fork cylinders, all cables, tyres, all gaskets/grommets, chain, seat cover, carb kit, decals, plugs, coil rebuild, coils, pipes, clips, original oil pump works, handlebars, mirrors

Added rear mud guard, grab rail, chrome seat strips,

Sourced missing original air box, tool kit, owners manual, under seat document holder,

Re-sprayed frame, tank, side panels, and tail
Parts sourced from around the world
Every nut and bolt polished
Steering lock works, one key fits all locks
three keys on matching key-ring

Shop manual, parts catalogue and owners work shop manual included.

Not so good:-

Tank needs petrol resistant lacquer, spray can included
Odd run in paint - being fussy
Engine rattles a bit, needs running in and carbs fine tuning
Clutch needs adjusting to get into neutral when running
Paint marks where stuck to seat.- minor. Original paint included for touch up.

Neutral light blown, should be replaced soon

Pulls like a train, does 85 with ease, private roads only "

Trying to get information out of the seller is like pulling teeth.
I've established he sent the barrels off for a rebore and the crank off for a rebuild to "professionals" and he's done all the other work.

Assuming the pipes are not rotten and that i'll probably have to take the engine apart for peace of mind and that it's probably done a shed load more miles that the odometer says and will probably need a respray, is £3,750 or thereabouts a reasonable price considering all the unknowns ?

Is there a database of frame and engine numbers so I can confirm for example it's not a 400 engine in a 250 frame ?

Thanks again. All advice gratefully received.

[Malcolm]

Here's the database as well as everything else you're likely to need including free genuine workshop and parts manuals

http://www.kawatriple.com/index2.html

.

[ZeeRexxer]

Sounds like a complete bin! "Does 85 with ease" should flipping hope so! Buy a mint 250 instead!

[Chirpy999]

Sounds cheap to me, could be a good buy at that price. Its all down to you are you a fanatic who will go through it with a fine tooth comb and pay the price to get it 100% or do you just want to ride? Whats is reason for selling?

[Stu D]

The owner claims he's selling due to health problems and doesn't have time or inclination to keep it anymore.

I'm not a perfectionist. I'm just looking for a bike that runs and looks ok that doesn't require a HUGE amount of work but i'm not fussed if it's not totally original.
I don't mind getting my hands dirty but I don't want something that requires a full rebuild as soon as I buy it.

My ideal bike would be something that's mechanically sound but looks a bit scruffy and maybe has a few non-original bits on it (to keep the price down ) that I can ride away and gradually restore.

[Mickrick]

Mileage is irrelevant. It's a 41 year old bike with no history.
Buy on condition.
It sounds like a shitter, but go look at it for yourself, and make your mind up when you've seen it.

[RacerRB159]

I personally wouldn't buy it
A full nut and bolt restoration would normally include a quality paint job, not one requiring the new owner to finish it off with lacquer, and a paint run?, really?
Normally an engine rattles when it's older, not following a "restoration "
Don't rush into buying one,there's plenty around
Rich

[Neil the Don]

Hmmm. Not sure why you have listed "it's a US Import". As a potential bad point ?

Over there they were bought as toys and used for a few months in summer. Not bought as only means of transport And ridden through winter on salty roads. As would generally have been the case with a 'genuine UK bike '.

Also , 17k. Is a pretty high mileage for a US. Bike. So it's quite likely correct,

Having said that these bikes can deteriorate rapidly just from being sat. For years, so again a required restoration is realistic.

And yes the S series bikes can need a crank rebuild after 17k. Especially if it sat for years and then was started and run for a period with mo prior preparation. The crank seals may have let go. Or a tiny bit of rust on a crank bearing could have ground away and destroys a bearing,

If you take a look at what a rough project S3 costs £150 min to approx £2500 ish. And consider the cost of parts and the work done , then £3500-3740 is a reasonable price,

Ignore snide comments on here, most I'd them are irrelevant. Sure it may need more work. A professional paint job costs £400 upwards , maybe the rest you can live with ? A beautiful one now sells for over £6k !,

On the negative/beware side. He should be able to tell you the professional who did the crank ?

And a bit early ? At best it needs it's carbs balancing . It wouldn't tick over properly if theatre out of sync. But otherwise it shouldn't rattle ??

Probably best. Take someone who knows what they are doing to look at it really , but it COULD be a decent buy...............

[Neil the Don]

A few autocorrect errors in my post !!

A bit early. Should have read.......".a bit rattlly