Author Topic: New 1991 Bandit GK75A Owner in Canada that needs help. (Read 8067 times)

jodyvan · « **on:** August 02, 2007, 04:26:06 PM »

Hey guys!

I have recently purchased what I have found to be a 1991 GSF400VM Bandit. (The person I bought it form thought it was an '88 and had no clue it's origins.) After much searching I have finally found out what it really is.

I would very much like to clean it up and add some things to it over the next long while. It is my first bike and I'm learning to ride on it.

On problem I'm having though is parts. The first night I had it some kind person snapped the speedo cable on it. When attempting to buy the part locally the cable did not match the one I had for the gearbox. The gearbox end of the cable I have, has a notch end on it with screw cap. The one I purchased locally seems to fit with a rubber ring and only a square post that sticks out similar to the speedo end.

Can someone please help me find a place to buy parts that won't take months to get? I have a quote for some parts but they can't confirm they are a match. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Newbies gotta start somewhere and I'm hoping to learn as much as I can.

Cheers.

jodyvan · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2007, 04:44:04 PM »

Here is the bike that I bought. The number on the downtube of the frame is GK75A-122273 which I have deduced makes it a GK75A model :) Brilliant I know...

GooseMan · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:33:09 PM »

IS that the exact bike that you bought, or just a pic of a similar bike? That seems to be a newer variable valve model, which was never imported into Canada!

Where in Canada are you from?

To answer your questions about parts...a lot of guys here have spare parts, but its best to check local bike salvage yards...and of course, EBAY!

jodyvan · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:49:03 PM »

That is my bike itself. The one and only. I'm up in Kamloops, BC and bought it in Vancouver. The guy I bought it from said it was an '88. The research that I've done I conclude that the first year the VVTiming was issued was '91 in the UK, Germany and Japan as the Bandit V.

I am only guessing really at the year but that is my bike. As far as I can tell it's all stock but I'm mechanically disinclined and have never owned a bike and started to ride one only 2 weeks ago. I can upload some more photos of it if it'll help distinguish the year and maybe someone can correct me. :)

GooseMan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:39:26 PM »

Wow!

Nice bike! I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure the variable valve model was not imported to North America at all...so what you have is one VERY rare bike...here anyways.

I also have a 91, and its the normal red on red model, with single disc brake and non-VV engine, which I believe was imported here in 92 and possibly 93 (with silver wheels instead of white).

My Bandit is also my first bike...been riding only 3 months now. It's great to learn on, and somewhat easy to work on! Enjoy!

(BTW--I call 1st dibs if you wanna sell it one day!!!!)

GooseMan · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:41:53 PM »

heres some more info

http://www.suzukicycles.org/Bandit-series/GSF400-Bandit.shtml

magicGoose · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2007, 11:01:35 AM »

Hey jodyvan,

Very nice bike!
You can find out what year your bike is and other information by decoding the vin number with the information here:
http://www.suzukicycles.org/_misc/identification.shtml
You are going to have real problems getting parts that are not in common with the North American market bikes. Which parts those will be is hard to say. It would be useful for you to have a parts fische for your bike, but I have never seen one online.
I suspect your best bet would be to order from a supplier in the UK that carries parts for grey market bikes. Anybody from the UK care to comment on this?
As a final comment, you should know that Gooseman is a real kidder, and that he isn't serious about wanting to buy your bike, so if you ever decide to get rid of it, you should sell it to me.

Regards,
Steve

GooseMan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2007, 11:29:17 AM »

hehehe

Whats good about that particular bike is that its probably 90% the same as North American versions, except the engine and CDI unit, and the second brake disc. So pretty much everything else would be the same as our "lesser" Bandit 400's

You know....now that I think about it, according to Canada customs, you can LEGALLY import ANY vehicle from ANYWHERE as long as its 15 years old or older, regardless if it meets Canadian standards. I should know this, as I just imported a car last year.

I'm just waiting for 2009 so I can import one of those newer 94-95 Bandit 400V's....

Red01 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2007, 12:45:22 PM »

Quote from: "GooseMan"

Whats good about that particular bike is that its probably 90% the same as North American versions, except the engine and CDI unit, and the second brake disc. So pretty much everything else would be the same as our "lesser" Bandit 400's

Actually, BOTH front discs would be different. The dual disc model's rotors are slightly smaller in diameter. Also the fork leg with the caliper mount would be different from the single disc model's, too.

I know - picking the fly dung from the pepper...

jodyvan · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2007, 12:53:46 PM »

Hey guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I have just recently aquired the fiche and manuals from the UK and have been to the suzukicycles.org page which is how I assumed it was the Japanese version of the '91. (Not to mention the Japanese characters all over it on the stickers. :D)

Trouble is it's hard to tell from the fiche what parts are the same or not. My speedo gearbox has a tang end and the speedo is square. On the N. American it's square on both ends. Doesn't show that on the picture. :) Nor does it have the different part numbers for the cables. I'm sourcing in the UK as you guys suggested thanks!

I'll be sure to let everyone know when or if it's up for sale but I'm quite fond of it and looking forward to cleaning it up. :)

magicGoose · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2007, 01:54:17 PM »

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but if you have the correct fische, you can go to http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm
or your local stealership and see if the NA part numbers match yours, and if so, you're in business. Or are you saying you ordered the part number it said in the fische and still got the wrong part?

Quote from: "GooseMan"

I'm just waiting for 2009 so I can import one of those newer 94-95 Bandit 400V's....

Hey Gooseman, we just need a couple more local like minded individuals and we can get a whole container sent over. Sell the extras and get free bikes.

I may get one of these thrown on as well:

jodyvan · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2007, 02:02:09 PM »

The fiche part number matched the cable part that I ordered here locally and one end of the cable is different. I have a parts guy putting a call into suzuki gurus to figure out the problem. If all else fails I'll just put a new gearbox on it and call it good. Make things easier in the long run should some goon break it off again. :)

There is a shop down in Vancouver JP Greybikes and they import bikes from Japan all the time. Be fairly easy to get one if you were looking for one. Trouble with them is when I called for parts they barely speak english so may be tough to get that across. That and you fellas are on the east coast.

GooseMan · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2007, 02:48:03 PM »

Quote from: "magicGoose"

Quote from: "GooseMan"

I'm just waiting for 2009 so I can import one of those newer 94-95 Bandit 400V's....

Hey Gooseman, we just need a couple more local like minded individuals and we can get a whole container sent over. Sell the extras and get free bikes.
I may get one of these thrown on as well:

ooohh..what the hell is that?! Sweet! OK....lets get a whole container in...we'll split it. We'll start "Gooses Semi-Legal Bike Importing Inc". You down? ;)

jodyvan · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2007, 02:53:03 PM »

I could handle West coast operations. :) That is a sweet bike. I'm with Goose... what is it?

magicGoose · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2007, 09:40:23 PM »

Quote from: "GooseMan"

We'll start "Gooses Semi-Legal Bike Importing Inc". You down? ;)

Oh yeah, I'm IN!

The picture is a '90s era R1Z 250 (I think).