newbie with a problem, potentially a bike for sale.

[jeffro212]

hey guys, i passed my big bike test before the new laws and crap, and i was in my local with my mates boasting about my perfect pass (no minors) when i was approached by a lad who i have seen about... mate of a mate of a mate, if anyone can understand that... anyway, he said he had a 'little 400 bike that just needs cleaning up'... so, many pints later... i bought a kawasaki zxr400 L2... before even seeing it... so the day after i went round to his house and we conversed over the bike. he bought it in 2008, rode it round our local racetrack (oulton park) and scared the sh*t out of himself, so put it away in his garage, where it sat untill i rescued it. but i cant help feeling, i should have left it there, because its been nothing but a major headache and wallet-ache. so far i have :-
-refurbished front callipers from DK motorcycles
-stripped, cleaned and balanced the carbs, 2 new float bowls (2 cracked bowls)
- new brake pads all round
-HEL front brake lines (standard ones were chaffed from front wheel)
-new headlight unit, rear light and indicators (headlight was broke, taillamp was tinted to beyond legality)
-srtipped down to frame, cleaned engine externally, painted inside of frame + swingarm and polished outside of frame spars
-loads of odds and sods for the MOT
but i have just been out on my first ride, after paying through the nose for insurance (TT99 offence codes blah blah blah, i paid £675 to insure it) and let me tell you this guys, i cant get used to it. it feels absolutley tiny, plus theres a couple problems with it that have me stumped.

every time i go over a bump, it cuts out for a second, then comes back, and gives one hell of a backfire. like, a serious backfire. flames 'n' all. also, after about 10-15 mins of riding, it will just cut out completley, and will not fire at all for about 2-3 mins. but then, with absolutley NO change in the bikes situation, it will just start up perfectley. also, i physically cant ride it for more than 10 mile, before my legs cramp up and i have to pretend im riding a harley davidson with freeway-pegs to relieve the cramp. i have come from the world of motorcross, so maybe i will just get used the the butt in the air riding style. i have just bought a 2006 suzuki DRZ-400 (supermoto style bike) as i have wanted one of them for a while, for greenlaning and stunting... but the future of my ZXR is unknown. i could either:-
-turn into track bike
-flog it
-fit new fairings, tyres, paint the tank and wheels, then it would actually be mint. (if i sort the poor running out)

but would it be worth the new fairings, fresh rubber and paintwork? what do you guys reckon it would be worth with 33k KM on the clock, but mechanically and superficially perfect? cheers guys

[Robbie]

Ill give ya a fiver and a mars bar for it

[mcollett]

I have the same problem with it cutting out over bumps... still not sorted it although i have narrowed it down to probably the connector block for the side stand switch. One of the terminals is corroded and could do with being replaced; I would check this out before doing anything too major. Also been suggested it might be ht leads and coil packs loose.
As to the riding position... you'll get used to it... man up and put up with the pain I had to ride mine 90 miles home when I brought it after only ever riding a gilera dna 50 and a Yamaha ybr 125. After 20 miles cramp then numb legs. Had it a month now and hate sitting on anything else.