TOPIC:

Picked up this Kawasaki kz400 d-4 with plans of doing a cafe racer style bike. After reading on here over the last few weeks I think I've changed my mind. Sounds like the bike just runs much better with the air box vs pods. Plus I'm not very mechanically inclined so I think I'll stick with most of the original parts. Here's what I've done so far though. New handlebars, tires, paint job. What I plan to do next: next exhaust (previous owner switched it to 2-1 off the left side), brown seat cover, and maybe upgrade turn signals, tail light, also maybe paint the fenders black. I still need to get it running right though. It's been idling pretty high after running it for a little while. Also it kind of sputters out when taking off or shifting gears. There are some cracks in the carburetor intake boots so I'm thinking those will need to be replaced. Having a hard time finding new ones for this model though.

Any suggestions/input/tips welcome!

What a lovely little kz, don't go cutting that one up, that's as nice as they come now a days. I would suggest you drive that one untill the wheels fall off.

The very first thing you need to get is a factory service manual, not a Clymer, get the Kawasaki one.

That bike has points, and the old mechanical carbs, that's a good thing too. Easy to mantain. Ebay is your best bet for carb boots. I had to buy a used set for my 440. You can find them in good shape and still soft if you look around.

Be sure to look over on kz400.com too.

Ohh I see there are cv carbs on that bike, you will need to mess with the jets to get it to run better with a different exhaust. I had to use larger pilot jets with mac exhaust on my 440. Same carbs.

What a sweetheart. Yes, please don't hack it up.

Great looking paint job on the tank and side panels. Congratulations.