New guy KZ400 project.

The cam is for a late motor,but the cam card has no timing numbers.
So how did he degree it?
The head has been milled and at .050 c/r would be 11.8.
Not much done to the intake ports either,the bump for the rocker box bolt is still there.
Talk is cheap and he couldn't afford carbs...........

it could be degreed using a degree wheel and a dial indicator. it just takes a while.. but like i said. it seems extremely quick to be such a simple build.

very few people here into roadracing and guess maybe none with a 400 twin....

think you'll find much more info by posting in wera or vintagebikeracing

forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?s=cb2dd9...ee04b39a4a1e2821&f=5

vintagebikeracing.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&...158&hilit=gpz#p23158

like some say here and there, the 400 twin will not be easy to find tunning parts for. most important, read the rulebook and see what are classes you can fit and be competitive in. even if unless you are a very gifted rider, you will not be running at front initially

J.Sharer wrote: this is one of the builds i was refering to.. its strangly fast. almost makes you want to question its credibility.

www.armbell.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12394&mforum=kz400

Almost?? Let's see - world's fastest KZ400 = ape hangers, forward controls, stock carbs, chopped off pipes, 200lb rider, 400cc of fire and thunder blasting down the 1/4 mile in 12.56 sec. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Maybe with a 200 mph wind at his back :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

turboguzzi wrote: very few people here into roadracing and guess maybe none with a 400 twin....

think you'll find much more info by posting in wera or vintagebikeracing

forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?s=cb2dd9...ee04b39a4a1e2821&f=5

vintagebikeracing.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&...158&hilit=gpz#p23158

like some say here and there, the 400 twin will not be easy to find tunning parts for. most important, read the rulebook and see what are classes you can fit and be competitive in. even if unless you are a very gifted rider, you will not be running at front initially

I don't expect to be running up front. I've learned that during my 4 wheeled racing ventures.

I have a lot to learn riding. So its mainly going to be used at track days at first. It will give me the opportunity to learn the bike, figure out it flaws, and learn how to correctly and safely track a bike before I jump in the mix. I don't understand the school on friday race on saturday stuff. If I decide I love the bike then I'm going to prep it for lightweight super bike. Or if its possible Formula 250 (depending on if its considered like 1972 design). but that is in the future. first its all about sorting the bike and just enjoying riding it.

650ed wrote:

J.Sharer wrote: this is one of the builds i was refering to.. its strangly fast. almost makes you want to question its credibility.

www.armbell.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12394&mforum=kz400

Almost?? Let's see - world's fastest KZ400 = ape hangers, forward controls, stock carbs, chopped off pipes, 200lb rider, 400cc of fire and thunder blasting down the 1/4 mile in 12.56 sec. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Maybe with a 200 mph wind at his back :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

That would take serious balls to even ride that thing down the track,let alone a 12.5! :woohoo:
According to that time sheet it was all in by the 60' mark then whatever he was racing walked away from him

ok, good approach, even if usually the bug bites harder than you think when you get into it.

besides going into those more dedicated forums the other piece of advice i can give you is to try and make it to a vintage race meeting or track day and see what mods people are running. helped me a lot when i was starting.

the usual piece of advice for track newbies is to leave the motor stock, make sure it runs as strong as it can jetting/ignition wise and concentrate on suspension/brakes/tires.

in a nutshell....

turboguzzi wrote: ok, good approach, even if usually the bug bites harder than you think when you get into it.

besides going into those more dedicated forums the other piece of advice i can give you is to try and make it to a vintage race meeting or track day and see what mods people are running. helped me a lot when i was starting.

the usual piece of advice for track newbies is to leave the motor stock, make sure it runs as strong as it can jetting/ignition wise and concentrate on suspension/brakes/tires.

in a nutshell....

I agree with that completely. Its the same with cars. Suspension and brakes is the base and power is a luxury. This is the reason I'm wanting to start on a small bike. I'm sure its a lot like car racing in the aspect that you cant drive a fast car fast is you cant drive a slow car fast. Its all about learning cornering speed and using momentum to your advantage. The reason I haven't said much about suspension is because i have no knowledge on motorcycle suspension other than, my stock rear shocks are really only holding the springs on, and the front is way to soft due to the inside of my fork tubes being rusty.

This is a topic Im really looking for insight on. I know how to make 4 wheels handle good. but 2 wheels is a different story. I can assume spending a ton of money on state of the art suspension will make the bike handle better. but the understanding of why, is what i need to learn before i feel comfortable spending loads of money on suspension parts. Not to mention trying to decipher between over kill and essentials.

But to be honest after a suspension overhaul and some motor tuning. I just want to hit the track with it and let trial and error take its course.

get yourself a copy of "Sportbike Performance Handbook"

its a good all around intro

www.amazon.com/Sportbike-Performance-Han...rkshop/dp/0760331839