Topic: OK, it's not a Honda SOHC four, but...(seeking opinions on a '76 Kawa KZ400)

[JimJ]

Like the title says. I may be checking out a '76 Kawasaki KZ400 this weekend...previous owner went through a complete tune up on it, points, condenser, regulator, new coil, brake flush/pads.

My question is, are these bikes recommended for a beginner? I can't imagine they'd be too tough to do my own wrenching on. Also, if anyone rides one, what kind of gas mileage do you get with reasonable riding?

[Really?]

I think it would be ok for a beginners bike (i will be beat for saying that since it is not a honda, lol.  jk).  My wifes first bike is that 750 in the avatar.  I don't know the exact specs for gas mileage but I would imagine it is waaaay higher than your car, lol.  I get 40mpg on my V4 1200.

I just feel she needs something with a bit of power so when she pulls the throttle back on the highway, it wont stand still and just make more noise.  But, I have run into many that have felt different.

[kirkn]

An outstanding choice!  Very mild for beginners, and light weight and adequate power (by yesterday's standards...  ) make it do well for more advanced riders.  They came out at the height of the 1st oil crisis and were marketed as commuter / economy bikes.  They were Kawasaki's 2nd model of four-stroke, after the 900.

I commuted daily on a '74 KZ400 (virtually identical to your potential '76) for a while to the tune of 10K miles.  They are sound machines.  No weaknesses, as far as I'm concerned other than a tendency towards top-end oil weeps.  Kind of an odd designed rocker box prone to weeping.  Careful assembly and good O-rings can keep it at bay.  Cured (redesigned) on later models.

Parts availability is generally very good, right on into hard-core engine parts.  Outstanding world-wide support forum at www.kz400.com.  They came with chain driven counterbalancers, which made it very smooth for a parallel twin.

My 400, which had 20K hard miles at the time (it had been seriously neglected by PO) got 50 mpg on my 40-50-60mph, 30-mile one-way commute.  A 'fresher' engine than mine would probably do better.

As with all used bikes, the condition of the one YOU'RE looking at will override almost any 'generic' issues with the particular bike.

Good luck with it, and keep us updated what you do.

Kirk

Here's a shot of mine, fulfilling it's design mission: commuting.

[PxTx]

Did you see my sticky thread at the top of this area?  Just got done refurbishing one for and we are trying to auction it off to ge the benefits going to charity.

[HavocTurbo]

An outstanding choice!  Very mild for beginners, and light weight and adequate power (by yesterday's standards...  ) make it do well for more advanced riders.  They came out at the height of the 1st oil crisis and were marketed as commuter / economy bikes.  They were Kawasaki's 2nd model of four-stroke, after the 900.

I commuted daily on a '74 KZ400 (virtually identical to your potential '76) for a while to the tune of 10K miles.  They are sound machines.  No weaknesses, as far as I'm concerned other than a tendency towards top-end oil weeps.  Kind of an odd designed rocker box prone to weeping.  Careful assembly and good O-rings can keep it at bay.  Cured (redesigned) on later models.

Parts availability is generally very good, right on into hard-core engine parts.  Outstanding world-wide support forum at www.kz400.com.  They came with chain driven counterbalancers, which made it very smooth for a parallel twin.

My 400, which had 20K hard miles at the time (it had been seriously neglected by PO) got 50 mpg on my 40-50-60mph, 30-mile one-way commute.  A 'fresher' engine than mine would probably do better.

As with all used bikes, the condition of the one YOU'RE looking at will override almost any 'generic' issues with the particular bike.

Good luck with it, and keep us updated what you do.

Kirk

Here's a shot of mine, fulfilling it's design mission: commuting.

Wooooweeeee.....

Took the words right outta my mouth.... GET OUTTA MY HEAD!!!

 

While working at my local Kawi dealer I ran across some chrome engine mounts and such... still in the original packaging from drag specialties I think. Might have to go look.

I'd love to get rid of em.... hint hint.... 

All in all I saw some pretty nasty looking 400/440's come right outta the barn and into the shop for a refresh. In some cases all I had to do was wash em..... and replace plugs and clean/adjust carbs.

Pretty sturdy motors.

[PxTx]

I'm partial to the earlier ones for no reason other than I like the way the 1974-1977 enigine looks.  I also dif the 74-75 chassis config, factory paint designs and cooler side cover emblems.

[DarkRider]

Kinda handy that info on the KZ400 is showing up on here now lol. Im buying a 79 from a friend this spring. It has the small cowl piece behind the seat making it look a lot like the old Triples and like the 81 GPz 550. (ironicly that same GPz i have worked on..sold something like 3 or 4 times keeps coming back to me lol)

[JimJ]

An outstanding choice!  Very mild for beginners, and light weight and adequate power (by yesterday's standards...  ) make it do well for more advanced riders.  They came out at the height of the 1st oil crisis and were marketed as commuter / economy bikes.  They were Kawasaki's 2nd model of four-stroke, after the 900.

I commuted daily on a '74 KZ400 (virtually identical to your potential '76) for a while to the tune of 10K miles.  They are sound machines.  No weaknesses, as far as I'm concerned other than a tendency towards top-end oil weeps.  Kind of an odd designed rocker box prone to weeping.  Careful assembly and good O-rings can keep it at bay.  Cured (redesigned) on later models.

Parts availability is generally very good, right on into hard-core engine parts.  Outstanding world-wide support forum at www.kz400.com.  They came with chain driven counterbalancers, which made it very smooth for a parallel twin.

My 400, which had 20K hard miles at the time (it had been seriously neglected by PO) got 50 mpg on my 40-50-60mph, 30-mile one-way commute.  A 'fresher' engine than mine would probably do better.

As with all used bikes, the condition of the one YOU'RE looking at will override almost any 'generic' issues with the particular bike.

Good luck with it, and keep us updated what you do.

Kirk

Here's a shot of mine, fulfilling it's design mission: commuting.

*snip*

Thanks for the replies, guys. So you'd feel comfortable on the KZ400 at 60mph? I'm 150lbs, so it's not going to be too loaded down. The longest trip in a day I could see myself doing is 150 miles or so, I don't need to get there fast but I don't want to get squashed on a 2-lane highway either 

[kirkn]

Without the slightest hesitation...

As I say, my commute included a 10-mile stretch of speed-limit-50 two-lane country road and a 12 mile stretch of speed-limit-65 four-lane divided highway.  No problems at all, pushing that windshield and carrying my 230 lbs. day after day after day.  I added a one tooth larger countershaft sprocket, and that slowed the engine down a bit at highway speeds.  Very comfortable.

Kirk

[rbmgf7]

owned a 77 i restored into a cafe



was able to do 55 comfortably and max'd out at 90. loud and uncomfortable as hell but sure was a blast. smooth for a twin and reliable. here's the sound of it if you want to straight pipe it

[PxTx]

Goes down the road with a 250 + lbs guy just fine.  Don't expect anything over 90 mph but they are fun!