This was an advert i wrote a few years back when selling a PE 400
Points out some of the differences .
But as an all rounder go the PE
Pe 400T 1980 project or parts bike , this bike is a runner and would make a great entry level open class VMX bike. If your looking for a low hr concourse resto jump on and race bike probably best jog on John .
However if your looking for a potential championship winning VMXer read on, this beast is just waiting to have its potential unleashed by the right enthusiast .
A well set up PE 400 with a good rider on board will easily run at the front of the field in the VMX Evo open class. Fortunately this bike is neither well prepared nor had a good rider on it in living memory .If you fit an RM tank and guards (see my other listings ) from a distance it will still look nothing like an RM ( but with the money you have saved over an RM who cares).
Other advantages over the RM 400 include primary kick starting , ( for our female viewers and the mechanically challenged ) that means you can disengage the clutch and start the bike in gear. This is not possible on the RM 400 , big deal I hear you say well think on , your first VMX race meeting you’ve been building up to it for months . The gate drops for your first race your round the first turn in 3rd place (only 2 PE 400s in front of you ) end of 1st lap and your holding a strong 3rd place , the familys watching with pride as dads exceeding all expectations . You slow into a hair pin and stall the bike , seconds seem like hours as rider after rider passes you while you’re trying to find neutral to start the bugger , finally you get going again but the pack is long gone . You return to the pits with a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp , the missus and kids come over and ask what happened ? you let fly , missus says “ I thought this was supposed to be a fun family day out “ kids are crying and your VMX career is over before it got started , all because you bought an RM instead of a PE .
The PE 400 also features taper roller steering head bearings ( the only balls needed here are a pair to tame this bad boy ) and a stronger overall frame .
The good
Motor runs and selects all gears
Brakes work
Tyres are good
New shocks fitted
Genuine side panels and rear guard are in good condition ( small split approx 10mm ) at bottom rear of guard . These guards are sort after by restorers , but you will want to put it away for that 100 point concourse resto you will do to this bike once you’re bored with winning VMX titles .
Can be ridden as is
The not so good
Motor a bit rattly in the top end
No road gear
Will require some effort to make race ready
