hi,
is there any chance somebody can give me a bit of a run through regarding the different fzr400 models with the pro's and cons? as a newby looking to buy?

many thanks.

http://www.madsi.co.uk/models.aspx

Basically, the 3TJ is the most recent and best supported in terms of aftermarket stuff with the extra advantage of not being stuck with an 18" rear wheel. Good spare engines are like hens' teeth though. You will pay more for a good 3TJ than for a good 1WG. Don't pay more than £1200 for an exceptionally clean 3TJ and don't pay more than £900 for a spotless 3EN2.

Ok cheers for the reply!
What is a 3en2? Is that a 3tj or 1wg???
Also, is there plenty of parts available/reproduced? Can anything be rebuilt without problem or is there anything I should look out for?

Click on the link provided by Kayla and scroll down.
The 3EN2 was the last of the 1WG series, after that the 3TJs differed with a 17" rear wheel,trapezoid headlamp and many other upgrades.
Each model year has varying changes with the earlier 1WG models, perhaps less so within the 3TJ range.
The 1WG and 3TJ series have very few interchangable parts; treat them as different bikes.
Top end engine parts for the 3TJs are scarce as are original main fairing panels for the 1WGs.
Exup headers for either are getting rare.
18" rear tyre choice is limited.
Quite a bit of early FZR 600 3HE stuff can be fitted to 1WG series.
Most service items are well catered for.
All were "grey (second hand) imports" to the UK except the last model 3TJ.
A lot will depend how original you wish to keep the bike, they upgrade quite well IMOP, which is just as well as most will have been neglected/abused by P.O's,that being the nature of 400's/small starter bikes.
Plenty of help on here though; it's been weeks without drama or crisis.

You can rebuild a 3TJ without much problem, you may need to wait a while for the part to become available (headers) or get busy with the repairs but generally it's ok.

There was an official import version of the 3TJ called a 4DX they have an MPH speedo and an oil cooler, but the back light isn't quite as nice as the 3TJ.

For what they are they're a nice bike and they're not too expensive to buy or run. Get the best bike you can especially if you don't like working on your bikes. That said once everything is sorted, they're reliable, you could have one for years and just service it.

Ah that's great, didn't spot the link first time round!
Can you buy a new exhaust system for the later exup models? Can you run a system without the exup in them?
Are parts available for these still through a normal yam dealer?
Cheers

New headers without the exup chamber are available, but not recommended by many.
Running a road bike without the system can be problematic.
It is possible for alternative downpipes to be cut/shut into the valve manifold but it is a job for an exhaust fabricator and can be costly.
Rotten pipes may stall a project for months until replacements can be sourced.
Dealers will require a frame number or the part number itself before ordering, I order loads of stuff through my local dealer; many times they are cheaper than a specialist website.

Buy something in the very best condition you can find, the cheap ones are usually cheap for a reason.
Numerous are the threads where the owner bought at the lower end of the market,struggled with the project and finally abandoned it, only to sell at a loss.
They are, as Evil states, very good bikes when sorted.

Redd wrote:Ah that's great, didn't spot the link first time round!
Can you buy a new exhaust system for the later exup models? Can you run a system without the exup in them?
Are parts available for these still through a normal yam dealer?
Cheers

Nobody makes replacement exhausts for the early 1WGs, only the 3TJ. Bear this in mind when you go looking for a bike. As for binning the EXUP, I personally prefer my bikes without the extra baggage- it's one less thing to look after and consequently one less thing to go wrong!

You can fit 3TJ headers to a 1WG but you will need to space the fairing out at the bottom lest the exhaust burn the fairing.

Ok cool,
Is there a parts book available? I'm concerned with regards to an engine refresh. Rings/valves/gearbox etc.

Redd wrote:Ok cool,
Is there a parts book available? I'm concerned with regards to an engine refresh. Rings/valves/gearbox etc.

The cost of a refresh is high compared to the cost of a bike.
In round figures Gaskets 100, rings 200, vales ... unavailable (buy a secondhand head), valve stem seals (come in the gasket set) or Yam 6-8 each

Anyway ... for a road bike buy a good one and check the valve tollerances, filters and oil change, check the exup, clean and bleed the brakes. You're good to go.