Well, I can honestly say I no longer own the 400. Shame, that was a nice little bike. But you live and learn, and move on. Still, I hope that mechanic has his balls ripped off by a rabid pit bull with no teeth (just gum them off, demmit!).
At least I got some money finally. Anyway, today I signed the purchase papers on a new (to me) '03 Honda 919. Beautiful bike, has a single small dent where it looks like something bumped into it. Judging by where the bike next to it lined up, I'm going to assume someone dropped another bike against it. It took them 15 minutes to get it started, mostly trying to find the key, then trying to find a battery.
I was actually there looking at a brand new SV650 with the $99 a month deal. Those are nice bikes, but tucked over in the corner was that black 919, and it just kept drawing my eye. I sat on it, and what do you know, it fit perfectly. No scrunching, flat-footed at a stop, perfect reach...
So instead of $6500 on a brand new 650, I paid $5000 on a 4800 mile 2003 with new tires that was actually more comfertable to me. Something about the SV just made my lower back hurt. I'm supposed to go pick her up in the morning, they were hesitent to turn me loose on her with the thunderstorms coming, in rush hour traffic, with a dead battery (what if it stalled?). So they are going to give her a good charge, an oil change, and fill the tank for me. Not half bad.
I'll miss the old Bandit, but honestly, I think the 919 carries on in spirit. It may not be a suzuki, but at least it's a nakid with a big burly motor in it.