Discussion
It should start from cold on full choke with just the starter button (don't touch that throttle) make sure it will rev smoothly past 7k when warm. You might get a small flat spot but you want to ensure that it gets up and over 7k without any issues. Check that throttle returns with a snap.
Great bikes, easy to maintain and fun to ride. Enjoy.
Great bikes, easy to maintain and fun to ride. Enjoy.
How many miles? How many owners?
£600 is an utter bargain even if there is a crack there!
My buddy is looking for a VFR400 and good ones are hard to come by, let alone really tidy ones for less than £2-2.5k... bonkers, but I can't convince him to copy me and get a ZXR
I've been looking at one locally, to get a 2nd 400, since they're appreciating nicely/not depreciating at all currently, she wants £1k, it looks tidy, but not perfect, no SH, and 18k miles, and not in such desirable colours as that.
I'd have that. And if you don't, we might - only issue, is it up your way?
£600 is an utter bargain even if there is a crack there!
My buddy is looking for a VFR400 and good ones are hard to come by, let alone really tidy ones for less than £2-2.5k... bonkers, but I can't convince him to copy me and get a ZXR

I've been looking at one locally, to get a 2nd 400, since they're appreciating nicely/not depreciating at all currently, she wants £1k, it looks tidy, but not perfect, no SH, and 18k miles, and not in such desirable colours as that.
I'd have that. And if you don't, we might - only issue, is it up your way?
UK or import?
UK worth more.
Look at the collars where the front downpipes join the rears, they rot although you can get new ones welded on.
Exhaust is one-piece (originally) and pretty expensive.
As others have said full choke no throttle. Then when a bit warm drop the choke and rev to 5-6k, when cold it may hesitate round there. If it bogs when warm at about 6k then your emulsion tubes/needles are probably worn oval and they're pricey to sort.
If the clutch rattles (goes away with clutch in) it may be as simple as it needs balancing. If it sounds like a bag of nails at tickover it may have been 'tuned' by removing the scissor gears off the cams.
Make sure you get the original toolkit if she has it! You need the special tool to adjust the chain (although last time I looked it was £8 from DSS). Also the spark plug spanner makes short work of plug removal, a right pain with anything else. I would personally buy one if it didn't come with one.
Getting very very rare with original bodywork as that is a *fortune* new if even available and IMO especially in those colours. If it's original bodywork I'd personally snap it up for £500.
Oh yes and see what size rear wheel it has. If it has a 17 that's great (better tyre choice) but make sure the rear ride height is raised to accommodate that!
UK worth more.
Look at the collars where the front downpipes join the rears, they rot although you can get new ones welded on.
Exhaust is one-piece (originally) and pretty expensive.
As others have said full choke no throttle. Then when a bit warm drop the choke and rev to 5-6k, when cold it may hesitate round there. If it bogs when warm at about 6k then your emulsion tubes/needles are probably worn oval and they're pricey to sort.
If the clutch rattles (goes away with clutch in) it may be as simple as it needs balancing. If it sounds like a bag of nails at tickover it may have been 'tuned' by removing the scissor gears off the cams.
Make sure you get the original toolkit if she has it! You need the special tool to adjust the chain (although last time I looked it was £8 from DSS). Also the spark plug spanner makes short work of plug removal, a right pain with anything else. I would personally buy one if it didn't come with one.
Getting very very rare with original bodywork as that is a *fortune* new if even available and IMO especially in those colours. If it's original bodywork I'd personally snap it up for £500.
Oh yes and see what size rear wheel it has. If it has a 17 that's great (better tyre choice) but make sure the rear ride height is raised to accommodate that!
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