Retread KZrider owner member

Hey guys,
Some years ago I sold my first bike, a 79 KZ650SR and have been through several other bikes. A Virago, a Ninja, a Yamaha SRX600, and still have a 77 XS650, a Kaw W650.
You guys were a big help when I owned a KZ and now I am returning like a bad penny. Recently my wife has expressed some interest in learning to ride and I did not want her to ride some 250 so when I saw a couple of KZ440s for sale on craigslist I made an offer and now I own them.
There is a catch. Isn't there always? Bike #1 is an 83 KZ440LTD belt drive 4200 miles and has a title. Hasn't been run for about 18 months as the PO house caught fire and the front of the bike was singed. A couple of pics of the crispy one.


Bike #2 is a 79 chain driven bike with about 6800 miles. BUT no title and I'm working on that.
Worse case, if I can't get a title I'll strip the front end off the 79 for the 83. The 79 is all there except for left side tank emblem and it has some sportster mufflers.



I guess I have a question and that is, would I do well here for advice? Do enough members here have twins or should I go to the Kaw twins forum? I looked at the activity over there and it seems a little slow? Any advice would be appreciated.

Welcome aboard!

My guess is that the second bike is an '80 as that was the first year for the '440 and the more radical Ltd style, as I recall. No twin here, so I'm not much help. My guess is that enough parts are available on eBay (some don't like the site) or other outlets to rebuild it. Good luck!

Welcome, I rode a 440 years ago, it was a great bike, it seemed to do everything well but unfortunately/ fortunately I needed more power and bought bigger bikes but that onee 440 with the old CB250 gave me fond memories. Good luck with the rebuild

Thanks fellas! I think I'm gonna start a project thread.

NONB the VIN tag says whatever month and 79 as the year but if I recall it has a low number AND it gives the model as KZ400H in the start of the VIN. I wonder if its sort of a model change thing as they stopped selling the standard model?

I really don't know as it was just my initial reaction. I suppose the twins forum may be able to give you an answer if we don't know.

BTW, welcome back!