TOPIC:

Long story short:

I bought a KZ400 a little while ago that I didn't recognize was missing it's front motor mount brackets. Hopped on the eBay and bought a pair with bolts. The ones I got are the right brackets, but my motor is already about a half inch too far forward and a quarter inch too high, so I cannot get all 3 bolts to line up to install the brackets. It doesn't look like I can loosen the top motor mount to readjust everything (looks like it's a single position set-up like the front motor brackets).

I know it was popular on some bikes to loosen these mounts to prevent cracking the case or something like that, but is it okay to ride without the brackets there all together?

I'd like to know because I am literally just buying a chain breaker away from returning to daily riding and my old daily (my Yamaha) just keepings taking a giant dump on me every single time I try fixing something so as soon as I can get a chance for decent money, she's gone - this means I am going to start using my KZ as my daily now.

Not sure but Maybe try loosing the rear and top mounts and then use a round punch to line up....... would have to weaken the frame and all without them all being hooked up I would think.

No. loosen all the bolts, put them on with a jack underneath just enough to move the engine around. They are there for a reason.
Steve

Loosen chain or belt at rear axle. or it may never move

Whatever you've got there its not a matching motor and frame. You sure as hell aint going to jiggle it a bit to pull it back and down 1/32 of an inch much less 1/4 or 1/2. I wouldnt ride it to the corner store.

My 73 350 Honda had a mount on the head. I had to get it on first then fit the rest. I'd get all the bolts started and when they were all in place, I'd tap them in. That engine was snug. Couldn't get the head off without pulling the engine too. Honda was bad for that. Another reason I was sold on Kawasaki's.
Steve

I definitely wouldn't ride it in case you crack a casting and/or something more painful Go on the net, look at eBay or any other pictures you can find so you can compare what you have with what's needed, it sounds like some things got swapped around between years on the frame/motor/mounting plate front.

If the 400 is anything at all like a 750 twin you got 5 mounting points (6'ish). Rear upper and lower, front upper and lower and a pair tying the coil holder thingy at the top to the frame. I could be nuts but it seems to me if you get *any* pair of bolts put in then if the other 3 or 4 don't slip in you in big trouble. They arent slots they are holes.

A manual should tell you the sequence of installing the bolts.
Steve

swest wrote: A manual should tell you the sequence of installing the bolts.
Steve

Absolutely agree that you want to do it by the book.

However if you are mounting *anything* that has more than one bolt hole and the other bolt holes don't exactly line up you have to pause for a second. Add to that the assembly you are bolting on weighs ~150 pounds, itself produces ~30-40 hp and can take you to 80+ mph. Pretty sure I want all the bolts installed and torqued to spec

Prolly an engine swap I'm guessing, should be easy to determine by the engine serial number then if possible fab up some new mounts.

It's easy to get them reversed or bass akward.
Steve

Bowman wrote: Prolly an engine swap I'm guessing, should be easy to determine by the engine serial number then if possible fab up some new mounts.

Numbers on block/casing my KZ's VIN, so I doubt it's an engine swap....