'77 400cc

[maicoman18]

One of the yank mags back in the '70s had a test on a 400cc KTM. It was on the cover and they called it "white lightening". Does anyone have that copy and is this the model they were talking about?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KTM-400-White-Lighting-1977_W0QQitemZ270493420640QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item3efaaa0c60

Ed

[Marc.com]

Nice, I really like that era of KTM

[JC]

The magazine was Motorcyclist Oct 76. Yes, it looks like that model. I have a p/copy of the test if you'd like a copy - I should be able to scan it & email. May even have the magazine around here somewhere.

[maicoman18]

JC, that would be great if you could email it.
Thanks
Ed

[motomaniac]

MXA  also called it by that name and tested in either 76 or 77.

[JohnnyO]

Yeah motomaniac MXA tested it in oct '76 and gave it a good wrap.
That bike sold before the auction ended which is pretty common, the ebay listing is like a free add.

[paul]

john do you know how much

[JohnnyO]

The owner told me $4000 but i find it hard to believe. Apparently is going to WA.

[paul]

thanks

[bigk]

The WA part is correct, the price has been slightly inflated. It's going to a very good home.
Cheers,
K

[Colin Jay]

Mmm, my older brother still has his 1978 GS400, which looks very much the same bike, just with an orange frame and different tank graphics, tucked up the back of the storage room under his house. It hasn't been ridden in at least 25 years, and I have been trying to talk him out of it for at least 10 years. Maybe I should put in a renewed effort to get it from him.

CJ

[firko]

There are some bikes that I really regret selling, one is the '77 KTM GS400 that I bought from a neighbour who had stored it under his house since 1979. I sold it to Brad Lewis along with an ex Geoff Eldridge ISDE '79 GS125 Kato and wish I hadn't to this day. There was no pre '78 class back then so there was a different mindset as to what was collectible or competitive.

[Slakewell]

There are some bikes that I really regret selling, one is the '77 KTM GS400 that I bought from a neighbour who had stored it under his house since 1979. I sold it to Brad Lewis along with an ex Geoff Eldridge ISDE '79 GS125 Kato and wish I hadn't to this day. There was no pre '78 class back then so there was a different mindset as to what was collectible or competitive.

Firko as you know I have raced that thing and it's faster than last weeks pay the 400.

[john d]

 We sold Pentons back in the 70's . when the first 400's came along the were called  Mint 400 after a race we had in the States at that time. The power delivery on the first one's we got was like pulling the trigger on a gun chuckle chuckle!!!!!.
Riding one in the woods on one track with handle bar width trees about was down right scary !!!!!!
In the early 90's we found a 79 GS and restored it. It was a different bike from the first one.
 That generation  engine was a good one. True ISDT bike. Would last a long time and put out good power.
Here is a picture of that bike.



 We add one or 2 things to it but it was fun to ride in the woods. They had changed the porting and pipe design , added some weight to the crank and a heavy motoplat flywheel. It would pull from the bottom up nice and smooth. Had long legs and would handle well.
If you can find one like it i think its a very good choice for vintage off road.

 
 

[Slakewell]

The 74 and 75 400's where just over bored 250's and were really 320cc I think? they were junk really a 400 thats like riding a 125, very narrow power band. The 77's were jems pulled like 14 year old's reading playboy, ride the whole track in 3rd. I have only seen one 74 , 400 in Aus and it was the GP framed 74.5 model. Very scary bike to ride and lots of hard work.