Been offered a 99 xplorer 400 at a good deal to add to my SP500. Any got'chas to look out for? The bike has been garage kept - all plastic and stickers look good. So far the only things that have stuck out is the lower lights don't work, and from my first inspection on opening the oil cap, it appears to be creamy. Can't swear to it, but will look again. Bike runs good.

 

OK, a little more information on this bike. I checked it out on Thursday - it appears to have been garage kept - plastic and stickers all in great shape. I wanted to ride, but it wouldn't start - the light switch was left on. The owner called late Thursday and said he had put a new battery in. Today I went to check it out again. No charge in the new battery. When the bike finally started it smoked like a big dog - I was expecting some smoking because of the 2 stroke, but this one smoked quiet a bit. It also seemed to idle rough right after cranking. Also, after riding, I smelled as though I had been hand dipped in a vat of gas. Any help/information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Probably needs a good carb clean,possible needle and seat,plus just a general service such as air filter,prefilter,new plug,etc. they have a habit of seeping gas into crank when fuel valve left on and will smoke for a while until clean. I have more trouble with low mileage machines that sit more than they run than machines that are ridden daily!

 

Main thing is check the counter balance for milky oil or no oil very pricey to fix.Like TEch said clean the carb.Being that old it may need a top end job but that is to be expected any time you buy a used 2stroke.$225 and it is done and will last along time.
BTW once you get it running right you wont want to mess with your 500.These 400s are way under rated you put an Aaen Torquer pipe or Dynoport pipe and matching clutch kit and maybe a port job and you will be running with he 800s