Topic: Kawasaki KZ400

[Cevan]

There is one locally for sale.  I think I could pick it up for $200-300.  It's a 1977 and looks complete from the pictures.  It hasn't run since the late 80's.  I figure I could check the compression by putting a little oil in the cylinders and kicking it over.  I'm looking for a new project after I finish restoring my CB360.  I want to do a cafe type bike.  Anyone have any info on these bikes? 

[betterthanurs916]

No information in particular, but a little experience.

A friend of mine got one for free from his uncle years ago...and I have yet to ride a bike that was more fun than that little thing. I might have a bit of a skewed perspective on that since I was an impressionable 15 year old when I rode it...but I bought an SV650 shortly thereafter and never quite found the same joy in it.  Ultimately I bought my current CB550 and have called back some of the same feelings.

Performance? More than enough power for my 110lb 15 year old self.  It would just barely break 100mph and could manage 95 or so with my friend and I 2-up.  I remember scraping pegs a lot...but this was definitely when cornering to the limit of the old bias-plys.  The bike would pitch from side to side with minimal effort and was stable under heavy braking even with the two of us on there (my friend was probably a solid 170lbs back then)

 We beat the crap out of the poor bike (full throttle uphill for miles in the southern hills of TN, off-roading at the abandoned farm down the road, dropping it when trying to ice drift in the winter, etc.) and he never did ANY maintenance on it short of keeping air in the tires.  After 2 years and over 8,000 miles of riding hard in this manner...the chain was dead and the clutch was slipping badly but everything else was holding together like a champ despite the neglect and abuse.

I'd like to pick one up for myself someday...I'd go for it if it is mostly complete.  You're likely to not be disappointed.

[Duanob]

Uhh you might want to check a KZ board?

[Duke McDukiedook]

Or post in 'other bikes' part of the forum.

[Tugboat]

Here's the forum: http://www.armbell.com/kz400/index.php?mforum=kz400

My daily rider is a '76 kz400D3. I also have a '77 D4 (exact same bike except for the carbs). For $300, as long as it has compression and shifts through the gears it's worth picking up. Most parts are available, though some (carb boots, odd-sized headlight, carb diaphragms) are a #$%* to find. Plenty of info on the KZ board though. I bought mine as "cafe'd" runner for $900 I think 2 years ago. Had to put new tires, new battery, clean the carbs, new chain etc on it but it runs like a champ. Took it down to Barber this year with no problems. They tend to leak oil a little bit from the O-rings where the cylinder studs are, but other than that are solid & reliable. Good luck!

[kirkn]

Tons of info and action on the KZ400 forum, as noted.

Plus, search here.  The question on KZ400s has come up before and been discussed at length.

My shortened opinion is to jump on it.  You won't be disappointed.

Good luck with it.

Kirk