Author Topic: price on a non running bandit 400??? (Read 3426 times)

albertinhouston · « **on:** August 14, 2005, 07:43:45 PM »

clear tittle tank has a dent. I think its a 92
what do you think? started off at $900

Maniac · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2005, 08:08:05 PM »

Bad price.

I paid $600 for mine. It had been sitting for 2 years in the Florida sun with a full tank of gas in it, and didn't even turn over (dead battery). It was missing the two side covers as well, but was all there otherwise. The paint was/is shot (it's faded bad) and the fork seals had long sense rotted away. The tank was -extremely- rusty on the inside as well, but thankfully still solid.

I paid to much for it, probally by $100 to $150, since it cost upwards of $500 to get it running and rideable (full carb overhaul, new timing chain, new oil pan gasket, new exhaust gasket).

Currently I'm probally in the middle of sinking another $1000 into it, or more. A complete GSXR front end is going on, as are new tires, GSXR 400 cams, plus a full racing exhaust (if it ever shows up).

I will say this for the 400, though. If the engine was maintaned even remotely well, it's nearly bulletproof. Both my mechanic and myself were pleasently surprised to find my 13800 mile motor was spotless on the inside with dead-on compression, even though the bike had been abused by an ignorant prior owner.

I got lucky, the Digital Igniter box on mine was fine. The majority of the 'dead' Bandit 400's you'll find will have dead Igniters. These are -not- a part you can get cheaply, your looking at something like $300-400 to ship it out for an overhaul. I believe there are two companies that do it, one in England and one in the Netherlands. If the bike has spark, chances are the igniter is fine, but even then it's only 100% ok if the engine fires and runs. Some people have had luck rebuilding them on their own with the directions posted on this site, but some people have not.

That said, the 400 Bandit is an awesome bike. I'd take it over a GS500, Ninja 250/500, or SV650 anyday!

PitterB4 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2005, 10:13:22 PM »

I'd say the ignitor is the #2 reason for non-runners. Gunked up, rotted out carbs would have to be #1. I'd say the price depends. If the paint/plastics/tank are all in great shape, that would make it much more valuable.

Anyway, good luck!

mtbcrazy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2005, 09:33:56 AM »

I got mine for $1100, and it was WAY too much. It only had 4000 miles on it, was told it was running just a couple of weeks before. Ended up needing the carbs rebuilt, with new orings and other carb parts, brake system was gunked up with thickened brake fluid, the fork seals were shot, the "new" tires were age cracked. After about $2,000

it is running very nicely. If I knew it was going to be a $3,000 bike

, I would have probably gotten something else.

But, it is a blast to ride!

jcmjrt · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2005, 02:38:26 PM »

$900 sounds high unless it's clean and a mechanic has decided why it's not running and it's something simple like cleaning carbs. As others have said the CDI is expensive to get repaired by someone else - approximately $300. I expect a reasonably clean, running Bandit to go for about $1500 - 1700.

ant_129 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2005, 10:37:37 PM »

Dang I got a 93 bandit 400 with 10K miles, jet kit, 3/4 fairing kit, and running with a fixable oil leak for $500. The guy wrecked it and just got rid of it as quick as he could. $900 does sound a little high since alot of parts are hard to find and expensive.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2005, 10:49:35 PM »

OTOH... there have been a couple of ebay bikes go for in the $2k range. I also know of a guy that bought a super-low mile, very clean bike with the oem mini-fairing for $1300. It was running rough and needed new tires, too. As it sits, I wouldn't take less than $2k for mine. Although, if this thread keeps going and driving down the price of B4s... that may change!

Maniac · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2005, 11:05:02 PM »

Rob, I don't think you should take any less than $2700 for yours

Honestly, yours is one of the best looking 400s I've seen.

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2005, 11:53:18 PM »

I'll take $10,000.00 for mine right now! With all the spares! Just look at the AVATAR!

jcmjrt · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2005, 01:32:30 PM »

Pitter, I'd say that your bike is better than just "reasonably clean and running". $2000 for a very nice B4 isn't unreasonable...but don't sell it any time soon. We'd all miss you.
It's usually cheaper in the long run to buy a good bike than it is to buy one that needs work. Most people think too highly of their bruised, battered and unreliable bikes. There are usually several hidden issues besides the obvious ones. That being said, if the price is right and you can do your own work, then the fixer upper can be a deal.