No 4th gear/engine swap question

[thisischris]

Hello,

I'm a newb to the 400 market. I'm looking at purchasing an 88 GSXR 400R as a project bike. It runs well but has no 4th gear. It just revs up as if it was in neurtal. I live in Canada where parts for this bike are near impossible to get. Is there a gear set from another bike that will work? Will a GSXR-600 powerplant be a direct fit? The bike runs well, however I anticipate that there will be chunks of metal in the engine case when I open it and will be looking for a swap anyway.

Any help is greatly appreceated.

Thanks, Chris.

[Jaicen]

Not meaning to be a dick or anything, but why don't you look for a bike with no issues instead? You won't save money buying a fixxer upper.

[thisischris]

Not meaning to be a dick or anything, but why don't you look for a bike with no issues instead? You won't save money buying a fixxer upper.

These bikes are rare in Canada. I've been looking for the past year and have found only 3. I wouldn't be actually riding the bike until next year anyway. I'm not trying to save a buck; the reality any old import bike will cost me a lot more money.

[Jaicen]

In that case, you should buy the bike on the assumption that the engine is spares only.
You may be lucky, it could just be a gear selector that's damaged. However, it could also be a missing gear, in which case you're looking at a big repair bill, or a junked engine, depending on what it's taken out. I'd certainly, stop running it up!

[stripes1976]

not a big repair bill if you know who to contact! Find gsxr400racer on here and pm him. Last time we spoke he had gearbox internals he might part with for a little cash. He is in the usa but willing to post anywhere. Hope he can help you

[thisischris]

not a big repair bill if you know who to contact! Find gsxr400racer on here and pm him. Last time we spoke he had gearbox internals he might part with for a little cash. He is in the usa but willing to post anywhere. Hope he can help you

Thanks for the link. I will give him a shout. Now, does anyone know if a GSXR600 engine will be a direct swap?

[Jaicen]

You may be able to source a gearbox, but if the gear has broken up it may have damaged the drive shaft or bottom ends as well.
As far as I know, the GSXR600 doesn't look like it will drop straight in, it was designed after the GK76a, using a different style frame to the '88 bikes. I suspect a 750 slingshot engine might work, but then you're apt to run into problems with the frame twisting/cracking.

[Variablevalves suck]

Hi Chris,
The 600 motor will not fit as the 88 is the same engine case as the bandit and i know of a guy who fitted a 600 motor to a B4 and it was a load of work. Ive a mate in Canada who races a 89 gk73A who's a good mate of Jay 'gsxr400racer'- i will mail him and see if he's any spare gears.

[stripes1976]

Jay will usually supply gearbox complete with shafts. The gsxr600 into the 73A frame may go but the work involved will cost a small fortune if you havent the equiptment and know how. Cutting and strengthening the frame is the first thing then fabricating mounts. There is a possibility that the chain may foul the frame leg so then its more of an issue. Then you have issues with chain alignment.
I would say the selector fork is the most likely fault with the gearbox. I have seen a few go but not yet have i seen one that has done anymore damage other than a little gear damage. If it was me i would buy the bike depending on the price and the overall condition.

[thisischris]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. The bike is pretty beat up. Small oil leak, needs a rear tire, cracked fairings, broken mirror, clutch cable out of adjustment... the up side is that it started cold on the first try and runs very well except for 4th gear. The price is $2000 asking Canadian, which is not bad considering how rare of a find it is.