No Reserve – 1987 Yamaha FZR400

Description

Additional photos are available here for your perusal.

At a time when Japanese manufacturers were getting increasingly aggressive and race-oriented with their 400s to compete in their domestic Formula 3 championship, Yamaha introduced the FZR400 in 1986 as a bike to be enjoyed “on twisty public roads where the customers would actually be riding and enjoying them.” The US got it in 1988, and many riders preferred it over the bigger brother FZR600.

For more on the FZR400, check out this excellent profile on Yamaha’s site where they talk about the challenges of it being the first motorcycle to use “full-fledged radial tires” and how they fought the urge to implement quick steering like their competition to create something that consumers would enjoy more on the street.

And it paid off in practice. As MCN put in their review: “the rev-happy Yamaha FZR400 attracted the hooligans by the bucket load, drawn to the high-revving engine, sharp handling and high corner speed.”

This example is VIN: 1WG022053. It came to Iconic as an import; prior history is not known.

The odometer shows 20,580 kilometers (12,787 miles).

Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us change the oil and oil filter, service the carbs, clean the front brake lever, and replace the spark plugs, the front and rear brake fluid, the coolant, the taillight bulb, the air filter, and the battery.

Lalo did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:

Fuel Tank Internal: Okay, rust present
Tire Years – Front: 2018; Rear: 2015
Tire Life – Front: 95%; Rear: 75%
Tire Pressure Front/ Rear:
Brake Life – Front: 100%; Rear: 100%
Hydraulic Fluid: Front/Rear: New
Engine Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: New
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: New
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 12.38V
Test Ride: 2 KM
Bike operates as intended

BIKE CONDITION
• Extensive oxidation on engine, mufflers, water pump
• Has a new Petcock installed
• Tires are aged, only available tires are Shinko 006 Podium Tires

Modifications:
Battery tender lead.

Inside of the tank:

It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT92 tires with date codes of 2215 and 1218.

The sale includes one key.

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:

Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any FZR400 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!