once I've worked out how to add pics I'll post some up.
as a stock bike it cant be compared to a nsr250. I've owned several mc16, 18 and 21's in the past so quite familiar.
theres very little torque low down and then she rips from 7500rpm to 10500.
it still feels lightweight though. brakes are pretty good. it has a lot of charm and for a stock bike it sounds great. it just looks cool.
the ns400r is near enough the same shape . I think it's only the bellypan that differs. it's in rothmans colours too. the ns250r rothmans paint is much nicer. it looks far more racy.
I'd bought it from a old chap who had 5 ns400's and he was a real tinkerer with them. when I arrived hed just finished boring some carbs for his other ns400
he had rebuilt the motor but said was 'mainly stock'. hmmm. had a go round the block. felt like a nice crisp 400 should. thought nothing more of it and stuck it in the back of the workshop. few weeks later couple of mates came round and asked for a go on it. fair enough.
1st mate came back 'jesus that's mental..... I just thought what a baby!.
2nd mate had a go 'omg its relentless, I cant believe how fast it is.
think I'd better have another go. jump on and it's just as youd expect, nice, smooth, felt like you could go to work on it. there was no indication it was about to try throw me off the back once it reached 8000 rpm. bang it just screams.
without trying to sound like a 17 year old it genuinely lifts the front off the power in 3rd gear.
I'm looking forward to pulling it apart to see what the previous owner has done internally
the 250 will just be rode and enjoyed for what it is.
the 400 has much bigger plans. I've started buying bits for it already. nc30 cartridge forks, discs , wheel, calipers, honda rs250 yokes, mc18 r5k swingarm.
still need rear wheel, linkage etc..
once the handling side of its done then I'm going for honda rs250 tank, nsr500 bodywork and I'll make a new subframe. lots of work ahead but I'm sure shes worth it
