Topic: Forgive me, I have fallen in love with a plastic bike. Teach me...

[GroovieGhoulie]

Forgive me, for I have sinned.  I have fallen in love with a plastic bike and I WILL have one someday.  On the upshot, it IS a Honda and still "vintage", so I can be partially forgiven.

I have recently fallen for the Honda NS400R.  I have become enamoured with two-strokes to the point where I have gone totally two-stroke crazy.  I MUST HAVE A TWO-STROKE STREET BIKE!!!!  Then I found out that Honda, a four-stroke company, built a MotoGP homologation model for its two-stroke triple 500cc GP racer, I had to have one, just because it is SUCH a departure for Honda. 

There are a handful in North America, despite never being imported because of emissions regulations, and getting one with a title is not that big a deal if you "know people" and I've met some of those people, so I can get started looking.

So, what are the pitfalls and downsides of the NS400R?  Problem areas?  I know it had a lot of tech for the day, with the anti-dive forks, "automatic torque amplification chambers" for the exhausts, etc.  Any known issues and problems to look for?  Any red flags that are "walk away NOW" things?  This won't be a "keep-forever" bike, but something to have for a few years, be a hooligan on it, then sell it, probably for more than I put in it, since it is "collectible".

Any advice is appreciated.  Good things, bad things, I want to be totally educated on this machine and let nothing surprise me.  Thanks.  I know if anyone would know about weird bikes, it's the crew here.

[DarkRider]

As for the Anti Dive forks. More then likely they are based off of the Trac unit used on the VF and VFR V4s. The system has its roots in the AMA Superbike days of the VF750F and VF1000R. As appealing as it sounds the system doesnt really work as promised and a lot of VF/VFR owners have disabled it and install Racetech Gold Valve emulators. Just something to consider. I believe there is a bit of info to be found on the VFRworld site as well even thought it isnt related to the VF/VFR series but i do know it has been mentioned on there a couple times.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Yeah, the one I saw had big "TRAC" stickers on the front fork plastic.  Figured it never worked right since we don't hear about it on new bikes.  What's the principle behind the system?

I'll have to check out the Viffer forum.

[DarkRider]

From what i read of it it uses a couple dials to set the valving in the forks to control the flow. If i recall correctly the Trac unit is actuated by the left side caliper from what i recall when studying the system. I can get some close up pics of the VF unit if you like.

[Sam Green Racing]

Have a look at this GG.
 It might be easier to find one in Germany than in the States.

http://www.getphpbb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1245&mforum=2stroker

Sam.

[ColinMc]

I dream of owning a yamaha RZ500 someday...I had a 2003 Derbi GPR50R that thing was a blast. I still own a 198X Honda MB-5 that I brought home from Holland with me...but that's the project for after the CB750 is done 

I track down titled Aprilia RS250's in the states every once in a while, but most of them are thrashed and wayyy too much money.