Kermit saying hello, SP or not?

[kermit69]

Hi folks

Been having a browse beforehand and decided to take the plunge and log in, seems like there's everything here to answer any zxr issues

My name's Paul and hail from the West Midlands and owner of a zxr400 (of course ). Into Motogp, world and british superbikes, basically anything on 2 or 4 wheels.

Ok here's the green machine, but need to seek some advice please as to whether this is a genuine SP, J model? I thought it was the H1 model stickered up but having read of some of the topics, it has the green shock and single seat configuration (which does not fit flush to the frame), so have I struck lucky or any other tell tale signs I can look for? Hope the pic helps. Still a bit of a virgin with all this (although it was a mid life crisis purchase, or so the mrs says!).



It's currently poorly as it was laid up (cardinal sin) so now taking steps to get it up and running with some new sparkies CR9EIX from ebay, the old ones were fouled, draining the tank (was very gunky) and studying the black art of carb/float bowl resto (in conjunction with plenty of tea consumption!).

Anyway, cool site

Paul (keep it green keep it mean )

[parby81]

welcome paul,

FYI some people have had problems with the cr9e-ix, being the iridium spark plug. I haven't tried them myself so can't give a definitive answer, but i know that they have caused trouble before hand. The stock fitment should be the cr9e-k , which has twin electrodes (hence the k), and if money is tight then the cr9e work (only single electrode though). If you have any problems once you get it all going these may (or may not) be the cause.

[cargo]

Hard to tell if it's a SP from that picture.....................

big differences are
SP has compression adjustment on forks at the bottom
SP has flatside carbs
SP has close ratio gearbox
SP has a different ignition box
SP has single seat
SP has bum pad removable to allow access to seat hump space
SP has different sub frame
SP does NOT have pillion pegs

if your unsure post some picures

[kermit69]

Thanks for the replies.

Parby 81: I did look at the standard plugs (which is what's currently on the bike) and sought of got swayed by the description of the iridiums (doh) so thought I'd give it a shot, oh well you live and learn.

Cargo: Thanks for the heads up, there are some points that match and some I'm not so sure about. Will try and get some more pics over the weekend (if my fingers ain't froze!!).

Must admit, what I've learned so far about getting a bike back up and running is from my neighbour (aint it great to have someone next door you can have a chinwag about boys toys ). He's a bit of a dab hand with bikes/cars and used to race supercross and Supermotad and has owned R1s, motocrossers, Paris Dakar types, 650s etc etc the list is endless but he couldn't determine if it was a genuine SP. He did say (in a nice jokey way ) that 400s were a bit gutless!! (anyay enuff of that).

Say, there's plenty to read on here during the winter months

[RedexRobB]

It does have the remote damping adjuster on the rear, damping adjuster screw on the front forks, sp seat unit, is that agreen spring i see on the shock? (SP shock at least, if it is). On the face of it it looks like an SP.

As cargo has mentioned theres more to it, 16tooth front sprocket is a giveaway too.

[cargo]

I think it's worth noting that nearly all the parts that make up the "extras" on a SP model will fit any other model and so just beacuse a bike has SP forks that doesnt make it a SP.
with so much interchangability of parts it would be very easy to totally convert a L or H model to SP..........even the gear box is a straight swap.

I once saw a ZXR advertised as SP model...................the only thing that the seller had to prove that it was a SP ws a home made sticker on the side that said "SP"

I've said it before..................buyer beware

So lets see those pics.................carbs, ignition box, fork bottoms will do for starters.........then we'd need to see inside shots of gearbox and camshafts

[kermit69]

Guys is it still ok to post in this thread, or do I start in a new section? Thank you for the responses though.

Was going to say I've just tried the Frame id link, typed in ZX400H-301290 and it comes back showing ZXR400R 1990 then zx400-j2. Is that any use?

Will try and get some better indepth pics the weekend, would love to know either way but just out of curiosity, are SPs really a sought after machine?

It's my first bike purchase, it wasn't advertised as an SP, just titled ''1990 G Reg Kwaka ZXR400 RR'' (which I'm guessing means race rep) and was more of a instant attraction than thinking with a calm and clear head (suppose you've heard that before). I knew I wanted a kwaka and a 400 saw it , wanted it, threw a fit, got it lol!!
It was only after buying, and checking the net that little cogs started twirling in my head about what if?

Here's another couple of pics taken just as a general overview of the bike. The green screen was something I fancied adding but still got the clear one, noisy can aleady on bike and the no 9 is my little homeage to The Stalker.







Thanks guys

Paul

[masterofinsanity]

lovely example Paul! welcome to zxrworld.Whereabouts in WM are you?

[cargo]

It's fine to continue posting in this thread especially while we are still not certain if you have a SP or not

The SP was a model produced by Kawasaki with the intention of using it as a race bike for a 400cc racing class in Japan all the little extras are aimed at making tuning and modifying it for racing...............I dont think that it makes that much more power over a regular H

As a road bike it could be considered that a H or L model is actually better than a SP

The real value in a SP is that certain parts are rare and much sought after particulary by those of us who race ZXR 400s

A SP gearbox will fetch £300 or more if you are lucky same for the flatside carbs and SP camshafts. There is £900 for just 3 parts you could buy a whole H model for that.
The single seat unit/subframe is sought after by road bike guys keen to have a bike that looks like a SP
The forks can fetch good money too from racers for the adjustability...............( I dont rate the SP forks I've got a set and my ordinary forks work just as well)

IMHO demand for the SP goodies is waining slightly as 400 racing is in slow decline now that 650 twins are on the rise

If you just lift your seat and get a picture of the ignition box that would be a big give away as to what you have

[zimm]

Its a 1990 H2 SP (J2)* .. only thing to be confirmed is wether the original engine/ignition/carbs are still fitted.

very nice bike, lucky you, am V jealous.

*H model SP's are "J" models, L model SP's are "M" models

[RedexRobB]

Here a 'guide' that i wrote, some time ago.

If what youve found out that its a J model is true, then yes its an SP as Zimm said. But as parts are interchangable then it could be that certain parts have been sold. But like i said, 'on the face of it' it looks like an SP. Get that ignition box pictured and we can see for sure if its an SP

[kermit69]

Thanks for the replies guys, really cool......talking of which its feckin freezin today!!

AMENDMENT: I did take a couple of pics earlier today what I though was the ignition box area, but wasn't..doh (thanx Zimm). Will post another couple up in a bit.

Took one of the shock/damper, but doesn't look the same as shown in the model guide thread for a J2SP?


And a view of the tail unit, the rear seatpad has crackled, do you reckon that could be restored?


Paul

[zimm]

the ignition box is under the pillion seat (hump) on an H.. the shock isn't an SP.. if it is it's off a J1 (they didnt have all the bells and whistles the later ones did)

[kermit69]

Thanks for the reply zimm,

Ok lets try again re the ignition box....for those who hadn't seen the earlier pics, I'd taken a pic of the battery area/fuse box..hope I didn't make a muppet of myself!!

Took the seat unit off and removed a brace type thing that holds the plastics on. On what I think is the ignition box there are codes: 21119-1292, 131800-5390. 12V TNCF12N (Denso Japan)




The sticker on the subframe shows it as a J2, and the frame id 301290.


Paul

[gavinfdavies]

how much did you pay for it? it looks in lovely condition! mine hasn't looked so clean since i bought it! but then again i do ride it all the time in all weathers and i'm not cleaning it after each 30 miles commute, cos the next night it'll look just as bad.

so long as you're not over 6ft you'll find this a great comfy little pocket rocket, plus you'll have that extra pride in owning a SPecial little bike (lucky git!) maybe i'll see you out and about?