i am looking into getting a 400ex and i saw this 2002 honda 400ex w/Wiseco 440 big bore kit, stage II hot cam, new timing chain, pro circuit t-4 pipe, new swing arm, works front suspension, douglas wheels, 22" shredders in front, 20" Razor 2 in rear, walsh steering stem, walsh front bumper, nerf bars, new chain, majer plastics, carbon fiber race hood, for only $1700. Is that just lucky and its a great deal or is there probably something majorly wrong with it. also would that setup be reliable.

steve

 

to me it seems to good to be true. just go look at it and take it for a ride and open her up.

 

Does seem cheap but it is fairly easy to get lucky and find someone in need of quik cash. Cant hurt to look at it, just check it over good and ride it.

 

yea that seems good he might just be a little short on money and need some cash fast, just go test it out and see for your self if there are any problems tell us and maybe we can tell you how to fix it or w/e

 

ok thanks for all the help

 

Check around the seem where the head meets the cylinder for any signs of water leaking. He may not have put the larger head studs in when he put in the big bore and may be having problems blowing head gaskets. It's a prety simple and cheap fix, but still check it.

 

WOW! If water is coming out of a 400ex, stay away.

I would look at the bottom of the frame. That will show you how hard of a life the chassis has had. Fire it up and see how it sounds. It should run smooth, if it doesn't find out why. Other things to look at would be the axle bearings and the ball joints in the A-arms. The A-arms start to show slop after a 4-5 years of hard riding.

All in all, for $1,700, a running 440 is a good deal if its rideable.

 

If the head gasket is starting to leah, you will see places around the seem that have been washed, resembling water leaking, it's a good thing to look for. don't overlook this. Even though the 400 isn't liquid cool, it will resemble water leaking if it is leaking fuel at hihg compression.

 

Wow all that for that price and your asking if you should buy it.

Unless its a scam (like the ebay ones etc) or the entire bottom end and tranny are wiped out it is still a deal even if one of the other major things like the piston, cylinder, head gasket or whatever needs changing.

I guess if you had to use the dealer to do all your work it could get a little expensive, but even then I doubt you would end up paying more than its actually worth anyhow.

Not knowing your experience level with wrenching on atv's its hard to know exactly what to tell you too check, but some of the basics are (besides those listed in earlier posts) take it for a ride and let it warm up to see how it performs, and if there are any obvious problems like leaking head gaskets or blown gears etc, check over all the popular spots for stress cracks in the frame, look for oil leaks, listen to the engine for anything unusual sounding (slight clicking of the valves is normal), look over the brakes etc, check all the wheel and carrier bearings for problems, and just basically check the overall condition of everything and relate how it was maintained and any current problems to what you will end up doing or spending later.

I wouldnt pass on it if its in good overall condition but has a small problem or two, but would use that knowledge to negotiate a better price. It just does not seem to make sense to pass on a deal with all the listed mods over a repair or two, and the savings on the price would deffinately cover most repairs with room to spare.

If you like you can check on the various atv sites and search out any and all of the old problems seen on this model, but except for those abused in competitive racing, and those just abused period there just was not really that many problems to start with.

Also if you feel it would help you can email me directly or post here any questions you may have after you inspect (I know this machine, and all the related issues with the 440 kits etc very well) but I would be covering my purchase with a small deposit (write up a contract/bill of sale too) as long as the seller is someone local that has proven to you that the sale is legit (no scams or stolen property etc) since I know you would be kicking youself if you lost it and it was for real.

 

If you decide to but it you can also check out some really good 440 kit info here 440 info you do need to sign up to post (I dont think to view, but am not 100% sure) but since your local to those guys sort of it may be good anyhow.