Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What have I done to fucking deserve THIS?!

[JoeRock]

Christo - ZX400G, that's your bike isn't it?

Having looked it up with the aid of a Japanese speaking colleague, it was made for one year, before becoming the ZXR400, and was never formally imported to the UK. ngine for that, needle in a haystack unfortunaetly comes to mind.

[midden]

Christo - ZX400G, that's your bike isn't it?

Having looked it up with the aid of a Japanese speaking colleague, it was made for one year, before becoming the ZXR400, and was never formally imported to the UK. ngine for that, needle in a haystack unfortunaetly comes to mind.

No chance the ZXR engine would fit in then?

[JoeRock]

Possible, but I can't find that info anywhere on the web!

Would probably be worth him joining a couple of the 400cc owners clubs online and asking that in case they do know!

[unfazed]

Here is one that may suit you http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307237961730/sort/recpriceascdefault/usedbikes/price-from/500/cc-to/400cc/price-to/1500/cc-from/400cc/body-type/naked/radius/1500/postcode/sg15rg/page/1?logcode=p

[ChristoT]

Christo - ZX400G, that's your bike isn't it?

Having looked it up with the aid of a Japanese speaking colleague, it was made for one year, before becoming the ZXR400, and was never formally imported to the UK. ngine for that, needle in a haystack unfortunaetly comes to mind.

Not quite, but nearly. The ZX400G had 25,000 models built, only 3,000 in 88. But it is rare. 

Hopefully it's 'only' a water pump, and no other damage. Hopefully. 

[rustyrider]

How can an initial diagnosis of piston rings or cracked liner suddenly become a water pump?

[ChristoT]

How can an initial diagnosis of piston rings or cracked liner suddenly become a water pump?

The RAC chap reckoned rings or liner (not cracked, BTW, but dropped). I'm not sure the ZX has liners.

The water pump diagnosis was from the mechanic who actually knows the bike. Chances are that that was the first ZX-4 the RAC guy had ever clapped eyes on. It could be that the water pump (which also drives the oil pump) failed catastrophicaly, the coolant and the oil mixed, an the horrible noise was a result of that. Hopefully I'll find out soon.

Guess what, Exup, looks like I'm finally getting a Thou. Not as shiny as this one though....

[His Dudeness]

Fair play to your parents. Getting you bikes and cars! I would have got a hat, a coat and a pair of walking shoes

[mickvp]

Probably for the best you switch to four wheels for a while Christo.. at least until winter is over with and you have some funds to sort your old bike out / buy another one.

[ChristoT]

Fair play to your parents. Getting you bikes and cars! I would have got a hat, a coat and a pair of walking shoes

Not getting. Lending me money for the car alone. And despairing of me.  Fair play to them though (despite the hours of persuasion it took).

Probably for the best you switch to four wheels for a while Christo.. at least until winter is over with and you have some funds to sort your old bike out / buy another one.

Car in use: major restoration of the ZX is now in place! I'm not allowed to insure it (not even at Uni next year, when I'll have sold the car), but at least I'll have it as something to do with my non-existant spare time. 

[noggythenog]

Sorry to hear about the bike Cristo.


We've all been there with bikes or cars, getting a car wont automatically prevent issues either but i do agree that a car is generally a better option in your situation.


My 2nd car was a complete drama, a nova SR 1.3, more weld on it than original metal, i thought i knew it all & my older mate John who talked a good car came with me, i may as well have taken my gran.That car cost me thousands in the end & went through so much despair, we were even planning on a balaclava attack on the little tosser who sold me it at one point, luckily i seen sense, my whole family got dragged into the perils of that car & thankfully i joined the army & got rid of the thing.


I now look back on it all & chuckle & you will too regards your bike woes.


Use it as a tool for the future when you're earning mega bucks & not worrying about the mechanical bills so much.


The family sounds like a top bunch & i think if you show willingness to be sensible they'll help you out no end & theres no shame in accepting help either, im sure youll help them out if they ever need it in future.


Good luck

[midden]

To come in 2014


FUCK FUCK FUCK I've rolled the Punto

[ChristoT]

To come in 2014


FUCK FUCK FUCK I've rolled the Punto

Puntos are too dear on the insurance.

Is it possible to roll a Ka?

[midden]

Lol ok then

Happy you've got something sorted. Wish ya well on ya travels

[ChristoT]

Lol ok then

Happy you've got something sorted. Wish ya well on ya travels

Trying to sort at least!

Thanks, and you too.

Hey, as I was part hanging off last time I crashed, can I call it as a knee down?

[red98]

dont buy a ka christo.......nasty things  ....just bought my daughter a 1.0 corsa much better...have you looked at insurance yet ? best i can find for " little miss red ".....£1550.00....shes 18 and just passed her test .........

[midden]

dont buy a ka christo.......nasty things  ....just bought my daughter a 1.0 corsa much better...have you looked at insurance yet ? best i can find for " little miss red ".....£1550.00....shes 18 and just passed her test .........

ka's are almost as ugly as the micra  and as paul says corsa's are great

[ChristoT]

Most people are saying so! I'm looking at several models, but the Ka is the cheapest. Corsas are up there with Citroen Saxons though!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Don't worry Christo, knee down days aren't over yet!

[Dead Eye]

KA's are a nightmare and there is a reason they are cheap.

Some general stereotyping to follow and is of my own opinion:
 - Saxo's should have generally ok engines, but the electronics will crap out if they haven't already
 - Corsa: Honestly don't have much of an opinion but I hated the one I learnt in as it was a bitch to try and look over your shoulder and check blind spots
 - 106: Half decent engines (durability) but are under powered and the electronics will die. Not sure of the 107 however

Your best bet is to buy as cheap a car as you can (I sold my 106, in good condition for £250~ as it needed a new CV Joint) and use the rest of the money for insurance.

[rustyrider]

Insurance on a Saxo or Corsa will probably be stupid money as they tend to be the chavs weapon of choice.  The Ka is crap but, if you get one with the 1.25 Zetec engine they go quite well.  My sister had one and loved it (I drove it once and bloody hated it) but they are cheap.  Biggest problem on them is rust around the arse end behind that huge rear bumper.

[Frosties]

As said before -


Punto's are shite,
Corsa's, Polo's, Fiesta's & Saxo's are chavtastic.
Ka's are either rust boxes or half decent - the newer the better.


You need to look past the obvious for best deals.


i.e. Hyundai Getz 1.1, Suzuki Swift 1.0 etc.


Good luck

[mr self destruct]

If it's cheap motoring you're after you can't do much better than a Rover. Either the Metro, 100 or 200.
Cheap to buy because they're seriously uncool, usually well looked after because they're ALL owned by pensioners, and cheap to insure if you stick to the 1.1 engines.

[mickvp]

^^ I actually have had a few rovers as well in my time, and some of them are not too bad as cars go. Although strangely for me, it worked out cheaper for me to get insurance (22 at the time) on a 620, than it did for a 214. go figure!

[ChristoT]

If it's cheap motoring you're after you can't do much better than a Rover. Either the Metro, 100 or 200.
Cheap to buy because they're seriously uncool, usually well looked after because they're ALL owned by pensioners, and cheap to insure if you stick to the 1.1 engines.

I have fond memories of Rovers, my parents had one years ago!

I was looking at a Rover 45 for £495. I didn't like the £2.200 insurance!! 

Currently looking at either a Corsa 1.0 or 1.2, or a Ka 1.3. Which, weirdly, is £100 cheaper on insurance than a Corsa 1.0. Despite bing group 10, WTF?!?