Trying to get my hands on ZXR400

[mxs]

I've been trying to get my hands on ZXR400s here in Canada for the last two years, but without any luck. The only importer who ever had one on the floor went bankrupt, private market in the Canada and US is basically non-existent for this bike (understandably so ...) which makes it that much harder. Going straight to Japan proves to be expensive as I'd have to take a whole container of bikes most of the time and that doesn't make any sense for me.

But I see plenty of bikes still on UK market. So, I guess this leaves the only option buy a bike (could be as many as two) in the UK and have it shipped to Canada. Has any of you helped to arrange such a thing for anybody in North America? I am looking for someone who could for a fee find a bike (year and quality I am looking for), get it safely crated and hand it over to a shipping company of my choice. Or if you know a company who could do that pls hook me up. Obviously, needless to say I am looking for someone who has reportedly a good reputation as I don't want to be throwing my money straight into a dumpster (but I am aware of the risks involved ...) ...

Thanks a lot for helping out.

[twotakt]

Perhaps a holiday in England is in order? I don't mind helping you out if you need anything though, just give me a shout

[mxs]

Perhaps a holiday in England is in order? I don't mind helping you out if you need anything though, just give me a shout

Holiday in UK would certainly be nice, but would just inflate the bottom line price of the bikes, I am afraid.

[zimm]

try contacting the guys at http://www.cotswold-classics.co.uk/, they deal with sourcing and shipping bikes regularly and prices seem reasonable (http://www.cotswold-classics.co.uk/ship ... iparea=usa)

true, a ZXR400 is a little different to their usual stock.. but they're local to me, and I'd be happy to assist in the sourcing of the bike(s) if its too far out of their comfort zone

[Mori Man]

Can certainly help you get a bike from here (Japan) to your place.

The shipper I use does Port to port and will crate the bike.

I'm going to look into "roll on roll off" shippers - but they might not do Canada.

Anyhoo. plenty selection of used bikes here with occasional bargain.

Name year and rough mileage you want and I'll pull out a list of hopefuls.

MM!

PS. I think you can ask about my reputation and not hear any horror stories !

[mxs]

Mori & Zimm,

thanks a lot guys for your replies. Sounds there's a hope ....

Legally, the bikes must be 15 years and older, so I can get them licensed for street in Canada. Therefore I can currently consider L4 or older. I don't think I want anything older than L1. Mileage? Well that's a tough one as I pretty much take a mileage on a used bike with a grain of salt, unless I know the previous owner or a full history of the bike. So let say 20000 miles max? But I would hate to disregard a good deal with 25K on the tach .... As far as an overall condition, I am not that worried about occasional rust or scratches as the bike will be taken apart over the winter and completely rebuilt. What I need is a decent shape of the engine and no issue with frame or cooling (rads), as if any of these three components require a major overhaul, it will make the bikes expensive to rebuild .... I don't mind paying to play, but it has to make sense, right?

Crated delivery to a Canadian port would do just fine. From Japan it would be obviously Vancouver (CFR Vancouver would be the terms of the delivery), east probably Montreal.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[Mori Man]

L4's are the one's to avoid as cam's are restricted in them

I've heard that Canada is cool about older bikes coming in and indeed to help finance your acquisition consider bringing in 4 bikes - that's a 20ft container so no crating fee.

Why I suggest is, Americans can come into Canada and purchase a bike and drive over the border and get a tag for it with out issue - my 1st thought is NSR250's , RGV250's , RZV500's , RG400 /500's and other exotica 2 strokes.

You could chance buying as stock to sell on but there is way's of lining up confirmed buyers for machines. You also need to register the bikes in Canada so when you sell on everything is above board but there is an American market for these machines

You should get your 400 with free shipping and a bit in your pocket too ! Just remember any after market parts you want for it have fitted before shipping - they go through as part of the package

Just food for thought

I'll find what I would buy and list up for you ....

[Mori Man]

These are all out of shops so will be in running condition:

An H2 1990 with 10,000 miles and a BEET Titanium carbon zorst 368,000 Yen + delivery and 5% sales tax
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8400684B20100405002/

This 1991 L1 has an after market system - looks like Tsukigi but also has SP suspension front and back With under 2,000 miles indicted (pinch of salt) well worth a punt at 278,000 Yen
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8500269B30090821002/

An original J1 with under 4K miles on the clock at 480,000 yen
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8701535B30100207001/

An L2 with BEET system and again low miles at 462,000 yen
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8500830B30090730001/

Bog standard H2 in Black with under 7k miles at 273,000 yen
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8900077B30090728004/

Another favourite colour scheme 1992 bike at 420,000 yen
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8201088B30091101007/

Would have one of these in a heart beat at 359,000 yen
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8501624B30090706007/

A nice tricked out SP with Disc's , callipers , exhaust , Ohlins shock , wheels ..... at 397,000 Yen with a bit over 13K miles
http://www.goobike.com/bike/stock_8701535B30100302001/

That's just some

[cargo]

Just seen a L9 reg in 2000..................26K miles it's in a dealer showroom for £2495.....................a bit much in my opinion but ZXRs are creeping towards cult status and so prices will rise eventually. I reckon I could drive that price down a little

It's clean enough for a 10 year old bike I noted a crack on the front mudguard but all other plastic looks good. new chain fitted some crash bungs and a Micron system that looked fresh.

I have a good friend in the freight business I'm sure he could arrange delivery anywhere in the world if need be.

[mxs]

Thanks Mori. So basically, I am looking at minimum 350K for L1 or L2. The higher the more upgrades and less mileage, I assume.

Did you just pull certain quality, or is there something less expensive, but perhaps not so mint looking. All these bikes look mint on the outside, I assume they are also good as far as engine goes (big assumption I know). As I mentioned this is rather a project bike for, so I am not necessarily looking for a minter with a lot of upgrades. Can you pull something 150-250K if such units exist?

I hear you with container suggestion and I considered it last year (because it makes ense), but I just don't see myself sinking +10K CAD into it and hoping to break even later on. Plus I really don't have the space for this anyways.

[mxs]

Just seen a L9 reg in 2000..................26K miles it's in a dealer showroom for £2495.....................a bit much in my opinion but ZXRs are creeping towards cult status and so prices will rise eventually. I reckon I could drive that price down a little

It's clean enough for a 10 year old bike I noted a crack on the front mudguard but all other plastic looks good. new chain fitted some crash bungs and a Micron system that looked fresh.

I have a good friend in the freight business I'm sure he could arrange delivery anywhere in the world if need be.

Thanks man, but L3 would be the latest I could consider for legal purposes.

[mxs]

try contacting the guys at http://www.cotswold-classics.co.uk/, they deal with sourcing and shipping bikes regularly and prices seem reasonable (http://www.cotswold-classics.co.uk/ship ... iparea=usa)

true, a ZXR400 is a little different to their usual stock.. but they're local to me, and I'd be happy to assist in the sourcing of the bike(s) if its too far out of their comfort zone

I sent them an e-mail. Will see.

[cargo]

I don't understand what legal purposes ?? ??

I could buy you a L9 and change it into a L3 for you easy.........just swap the frame LOL

[mxs]

I cannot import legally anything later than 1994 model (keep in mind that this is for only any vehicle NOT officially imported by manufacturers to Ontario). It's the law where I live. Sure If you buy L9 and swap frame AND the paperwork to L3 it would pass, but why would I go through this excercise when there's a plenty of legit L1,2 a 3s.

[Mori Man]

I chose these ones as they are shop sold which means in running condition.

You can buy non runners cheaper and or a bit beaten up.

My own bike had been sat for three years and the carb's were a mess and air filter had passed away into dust But with a new battery the carb's given a rough clean and fresh fuel I got it fired up on the 1st day of having it - see my build thread. I've modded it out since but initially it was under 100K delivered but I've most likely spent 200K on it.

Horses for courses as they say - I end up with a 300K+ bike either way

here's an L1 with a BIN of 330K in running condition and newly serviced: )Nice colour too)

http://photos.yahoo.co.jp/ph/kesennuma1 ... hoo.co.jp/
http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r64336120

And a H2 in running condition with a lowish start price:

http://page7.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g90297973


Didn't find any non-runners or anything cheaper than this.

A lot more info on the Japanese version but here's Wiki's version:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_ZXR400

Nice to see ZXR world linked

MM!