Gsx1400 interested

[PhilipV6]

Hi Guys, my names Phil and I've been riding a Yamaha thundercat for 10yrs and think it's time to change. Really like the look of these, big and retro style with grunt... :-)

I have seen this one I am interested in,
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201907230377942?atmobcid=soc3

Can you guys see anything that would put you off it?
Value sites say 2k...do these bikes sell at high prices? It was only 5k new........ 🤔

Any buying advice would be much appreciated!

Phil

[KiwiCol]

Hi Phil, the bike looks fine.  Pic 4 shows sparkplug cap not on right, lets water n much in & rusts up the plug, so you'd want to put that on right. The PO has put a bit of money into it, engine cases, forks done, new discs all round, new seat, new exhaust.

Wonder how loud it is? I'd be taking the std exhaust they have with it for sure, those systems are worth a lot to buy.  3½ is getting up there, but it a dealer & it's a low(ish) mileage bike with quality mods, so yeah, I'd be interested for sure if I was in your position.

Good luck with the purchase, this one or another.   

[PhilipV6]

That's great, thanks Kiwi, very good point on taking the old system if they have it. I think the mods is maybe what has attracted me to it. How can you tell it has the forks done? I do like the discs has went for.
from what I have researched it seems to be a generally pretty robust bike with no major issues / recalls...
I've been thinking 3500 is too high and was considering going in at 2800

[Tony Nitrous]

Looks OK. I wouldn't run a mile from it.

Might have suffered from corrosion on the forks and cases and been tidied up but that's very common.

Belly pan and loud little cans aren't to my taste, maybe that's just me.

Not high mileage but had new discs, could be a good or bad thing.

Hasn't been butchered or done up like a tarts handbag, could be worth having a closer look.

[KiwiCol]

That's great, thanks Kiwi, very good point on taking the old system if they have it. I think the mods is maybe what has attracted me to it. How can you tell it has the forks done? I do like the discs has went for.
from what I have researched it seems to be a generally pretty robust bike with no major issues / recalls...
I've been thinking 3500 is too high and was considering going in at 2800

I'm meaning the outer fork cases. The engine cases have been done in black, (paint or powdercoat?) the forks are a different grey, so they've had some attention as well. 
These 2 areas get done because the laquer coating on the ali parts gets small cracks, chips in it & moisture gets under it, leading to what's known as 'the mank' & causing unsightly looking bits on the bike.   What they've done here is 1 option, others mirror polish them & then there's Hooli. 

[Speedy1959]

Lol Kiwi..
I think Mr Hooli will be tucked up in bed just now..
I am an awful sleeper so I rise and shine at the most unusual times..
I "went to bed" at 9pm this evening after a full days ride out..
I am now up at 11.30pm !!!
Will try again at say 2.30am..
No wonder i have bags under my eyes like a Bloodhound!!

[gsxbarmy]

Looks to be quite tidy, agree with above comments, main thing seems to be the exhaust, looks like it's had a complete after market system fitted, which is not unusual, as original headers and collector box can be prone to rot through with age. Cans are personal choice, a replacement set with link pipes could always be fitted.

My main comment would be to check that all the rear suspension adjusters work correctly, in particular the "big black knob" on each one, as they can seize or just spin and do nothing - so if they do move, check that it is moving/adjusting the rear suspension legs. Those model 14's had silver springs as standard, so either the previous owner has replaced them with later shocks (which had red springs) or painted the original springs red. I'd also check that rear suspension fir leaks as standard shocks on these bikes are prone to leaking - many have replaced the standard shocks with Hagon Nitro's if they do go (although there is a fix that often works detailed on this forum)

Looks from the pictures also like the front sliders may be corroded - that's not an issue, we can tell you how to fix that, but may be a bargaining point!

If you do proceed, i'd negotiate a service to be included, as well as having the brake and clutch fluid changed and the fork oil.

Finally, I've included a new owners checklist - clearly some things you couldn't do prior to purchase, but worth a read anyway, as might be things you can check now

http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=3137.0

[Big Geordi]

See if they offer any warranty even 2/3 months will allow u to wind the shite out of her to make sure all is well 

[GSXKING]

Ride it like you stole it 

[Mick_J]

Welcome to the forum Phil, bike looks okay bearing in mind the odd checks on the few things mentioned.  I would be tempted to go in with £2,800 in hard cash and wave it under the dealers nose, worst he can say if up yours (or words to that effect). 

[Notty]

Welcome - Croeso 

[Mister Fishfinger]

A bit off topic, but how do you like your Thundercat? I quite like the look of them.

[Andre]

Welcome

[T 24]

Welcome Phil! That bike looks ok.

[Tonythetiger]

Buy the bike mate, I bought mine today and it is already showing me it's the best bike I've owned in a long time.  TonyTheTiger