Hi all!

If you're new to the forum, why not stop off here and say a bit about yourself.
Post Reply
Randomlass
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 8:44 pm
Been thanked: 2 times

Hi all!

Post by Randomlass » Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:20 pm

Hi guys, I'm in sunny (?) Scotland, and have a 400 Kat which I've owned since about 1996. It's been off the road for a few years, was running fine, but I had a couple of foot ops which meant I couldn't get out riding for a while. Then, well, life I guess....
So it hasn't been started for a while and is a bit grungy although it's been stored inside.
I'm in two minds about selling it on or getting it back on the road and keeping it. Issue is I don't have a lot of mechanical knowledge so I'm limited as to what I can do myself.
Does anyone know of any decent mechanics in Central Scotland who I could contact for advice?
Thanks all.
Lisa 😊

User avatar
fossie
Club Member
Posts: 4837
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:16 pm
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 676 times

Re: Hi all!

Post by fossie » Tue Jun 16, 2020 11:07 pm

Firstly welcome. i dispatched a 400 for years never had any problems untill it reached 100,000, then everything was worn out, easily replaced and sold on ...its still out there. i suspect yours is a newby in comparison.
BUT and this is the thing it wasn't left idle for long , many will tell you 250/400 get sulky if left as the carbs clogg up. The only real answer is ultrasonic cleaning of the carburettors.
Where in Scotland are you , we have limited numbers up there nowadays but are still in contact with some decent lads/ladess's who can advise of how to proceed.
Dont worry we'll get it sorted I'm sure.
CLUB Chairman


My Gallery

User avatar
PaulD
Club Member
Posts: 1082
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2018 5:48 pm
Location: Usually either the shed or bed
Has thanked: 513 times
Been thanked: 209 times

Re: Hi all!

Post by PaulD » Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:09 am

Hi and welcome to THE best Kat forum on the planet. Lots of knowledgable peeps on here who have suffered and solved any problem your likely to have. Bear in mind most of us are certifiable but we are a friendly bunch. Oh and we do like photos.
There rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad 8-)

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453

User avatar
Uncle Bob
Site Admin
Posts: 1667
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:05 pm
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Has thanked: 634 times
Been thanked: 228 times
Contact:

Re: Hi all!

Post by Uncle Bob » Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:42 am

I love my 400 and would probably keep that over the 1100 to be honest! Used it to go to EuroKat in Denmark and Germany with no issues.

As it has been left you will need to get the carbs ultrasonically cleaned and then you need to buy carb kit A and B from Litetek https://litetek.co/Carb_Kit_Suzuki_GSX400_Katana.html (you only want the choke and fuel seals from B, the other parts are too much aggro to do unless they are giving issues) and rebuild using them. I always add fuel stabilizer to each fill up (but you especially need to add on the fill up before storing for any length of time). I use this https://www.motorgeek.co.uk/cgi-bin/eco ... b_pid=1093
Other than that you'll just want them to service, (oil, coolant etc) and go!

If brakes give an issue I fitted the titanium piston kit from https://titanclassics.com/product-categ ... ium-parts/ (the RGV250 VJ21 uses the same front and rear brakes). The front kit isn't shown (just the 4 pistons) so you might have to ask them, but it comes with pistons, seals and bleed nipple and of course you need 2 sets. They are not a lot more (maybe around same price) as getting stainless ones.

We have a parts list PDF which is useful as once you have the part number you can go onto Robinsons Foundry and check if they can get it - a lot of parts were shared among models (like the brakes) so there's a good chance you can.

Possibly the hardest to gets parts will be bodywork (though it does come up) and an exhaust. These are available from Japan but do cost to get here.

If you do decide to sell though let us know :-)

Rob

User avatar
SamK
Site Admin
Posts: 266
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:30 am
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 70 times

Re: Hi all!

Post by SamK » Sat Jul 11, 2020 8:53 am

Welcome Image

I’m out the country for 5 minutes and they start appearing Image

You could try Girders in Airdrie. Although I did my own mechanical work, I’ve been there for MOTs and had good reports from others.
It’s a wee bit hard to find first time. It’s round the back of Central Motors Iveco. Go into the compound and to the left of the main building all the way round to the back.

Girders Scooter & Motorcycle Workshop Ltd
105 Carlisle Rd, Airdrie ML6 8AG, United Kingdom
+44 1236 753995
https://goo.gl/maps/GZQkKxngM3GAi7Yj7

https://m.facebook.com/girdersmotorcycles

Sam.

Post Reply