Might be adding another quad to the stable. Seeking opinions

[RIDE-RED 250r]

So, I'm going to look at a Suzuki z440 (z400 with 440 big bore cylinder). It has some other supporting mods too. Wondering if anyone here has any experience with these 'Zuki 440's? They run good? How is reliability? Any way to visually confirm it's a 440? I mean, is it a full cylinder swap or a bored and replated stock cylinder? I'm pretty excited about it to tell the truth. Waiting on seller to get papwerwork and I'll most likely buy it when he does...

Just wondering what opinions/experiences are out there with these.

Thanks

[whyzee]

I always get nervous buying a worked bike or quad but you are a savy buyer.
did ya buy it?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Yep, I did. Got him down to $2300. Normally that would be a little bit high for an '03 where I live, but it came with a complete extra set of white plastic, axle carrier, jet kit with a bunch of jets, pair of extra rear rims, new axle bearing and seal kit still in the box, rear hubs with castle nuts. I think it was a pretty square deal with all the extras thrown in and $300 worth of nearly brand new Maxxis Razr rubber all the way around along with a really nice set of nerfs with diamond plate full heel guards.. Normally, I don't like nerfs, but these I like. Also has A-arm and chassis skid plates...

It does however need a little bit if tinkering. One front shock has a bad upper bushing and it looks like I have to replace the whole shock to address it. The bushing is riding in a rubber isolator which is deteriorated away and appears that the rubber is laminated to the upper shock mount housing. It's missing a few plastic mounting bolts here and there. It also has a bit of an idle speed only knock. But my wife's stock Z400 has a little bit of that too at low RPM, especially when lugging the engine. I have heard that on several of the modern high strung thumpers these days. It definitely feels snappier than the wife's Z, so I'm pretty sure it is in fact a 440. Wonder if the 440 mod accentuates that idle RPM/low RPM lugging knock...

I don't know my Z400 mods like I know the 250r mods. I'm still trying to find out if the 440 mod is a bored and re-plated stock cylinder, or if it is an new cylinder entirely. The cylinder looks stock from the outside. But it does run pretty strong.

Got some tinkering to do, but all-in-all I think I did OK. I'll post pics when I get the thing cleaned up and the white plastic on it..

[rdlsz24]

I'm not positive but I would think it is probably a complete big bore bolt on kit since the oem cylinder is nikasil plated and that makes it a pain in the ass to get bored out since you would have to get it replated

Rob

[RIDE-RED 250r]

After looking around some. I have discovered that some big bore kits are bolt-on, while others (so far just the Wiseco 440) is not. The Wiseco kit requires boring and sleeving of the stock cylinder.

I have decided to pull the topend and see just what I have as well as to make sure the work was done right. I figure for the cost of the gasket set it's worth taking the time to do it since quads like this tend to be ridden pretty hard....Probably going to be a couple weeks before I can even think about starting on it. I have WAY too many sticks in the fire right now and the crap weather I have been having here is doing me no favors in getting things done I need to do.... :mad:

[atc007]

I just saw this.. Look at the frame above the a arms. The 03"s break there. If you've found bad bushings,,,,well,,,Look close. Rusty welds,,you know the drill! Damn nice quads. I have nothing bad to say about them. We have a lot of hard miles on em. Basic stuff,clean oil! I bought a repo once w NO oil in it. the tech rode it around the parking lot while I watched. Got it home,,reservoir was empty??? Well, I said,,there's prolly a little in the engine. Nope. Dry. Kid knew they were coming and drained it dry. Did my usual flush,,put pure synthetic in it. Ran it,,HARD. 5 years. Sold it Back to the PO,long story!!!! And it is STILL running today.And trust me,,these boys are on it ALL the time. Great quad.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Yes, I did notice some non-factory looking welding on the right side upper shock mount area. Welds look good, just not factory pretty..

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Here is a vid I just took of it running. I think it has a failing lower rod bearing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svip_bsqmRQ&feature=youtu.be

I recently joined the Z400 forum.. (pretty good bunch there too I might add). Some are saying cams, others say get ready to replace the crank or at least the rod/rod bearing. I tend to think it's the rod bearing as the noise seems much to low in pitch to be cams/valve-train...

Friggen thumpers!! LOL! :lol:

It's all good though. I still wanted to take it apart anyway and check on what it actually is and the work that was done.. So what if I have to throw in a good used $70 crank....

[atc007]

Hard to tell w that audio. But it def sounds like rod bearing to me. It's not timing chain slap is it? Not cam.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Hard to tell w that audio. But it def sounds like rod bearing to me. It's not timing chain slap is it? Not cam.

Supposedly, both cams and timing chain are new.

[atc007]

Time will tell! I feel for ya.. at least you'll know what you've got after you've built it. Was it knocking when you got it? Or did he pull the ol 90 wt trick?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Time will tell! I feel for ya.. at least you'll know what you've got after you've built it. Was it knocking when you got it? Or did he pull the ol 90 wt trick?

No he didn't pull the 90w trick. Had the knock when I got it. I didn't figure a serviceable used OEM crank would cost too much and I was right. Already got one for $67. But even with the knock present when I looked at it, I figured the price was pretty good with all the extras I got with it. I'm not real down about it, it's not like I don't have a few other machines to ride. LOL! If she's not quite right on the inside, she will be when I get done. :)

Thanks for your insight on this Sir! I'll update this thread with my findings when I get it apart. Maybe I'll get the topend pulled sometime this weekend.