1976 KZ400 checking in from NE

Rex thanks I really appreciate it. If I still can't get this thing running after I've got everything cleaned and adjusted i'll probably give you a shout. I'm in Lincoln as well.

You should go ahead and pull the carbs now. If the petcock was sludged up the carbs surely are. Also be careful with the petcock, the replacement parts for those are scarce. An early CB750 4 hole gasket can be made to work.

Good Lord, I just noticed the PO painted the carbs too. Yikes!

@ThatGPzGuy yeah I'm going to get the carbs off next week. As far as the petcock, I've found a K&L rebuild kits, basically all the o-rings and gaskets, that supposedly fits this bike. It doesn't come with the screen though. I'll post a link when I can get on my computer.

I'm skeptical about the rebuild kit. They have been unobtainable for the 76 for some time. At least for the D models. I hope they work out for you.
I wouldn't even try to start it until you pull the carbs and clean them. There are a lot of small jets in that carb that are easy to clog. Keep track of what you pull out from where. Some look exactly the same but are different sizes.

Yeah I looked into it further and it wasn't a match. Also looked through the kawasaki NOS/partzilla list and they don't have any of the gaskets/o-rings for the petcock except for the ones that go on the bolts. So either I can scrounge the hardware stores to find comparable replacements or I can upgrade the petcock. Trying to keep this as low cost as possible but I also want to get it done right.

Also does anyone have a suggestion as to which manual is better? Clymer or Haynes?

ZeffRides wrote:
Also does anyone have a suggestion as to which manual is better? Clymer or Haynes?

Neither one; they both have serious shortcomings. Buy a genuine Kawasaki Service Manual. They normally are available on eBay, but be sure to get one that covers your bike's exact year and model as there are differences. Ed

Take a look at the link below. It should be helpful while you're looking for a Kawasaki Service Manual. Ed
www.kz400.com/WorkshopManFrameset-5.html

You can buy replacement 0-rings from McMaster Carr. Like I said, the 4 hole packing from an early model CB750 will work. Make sure you clean and polish the lever face before you put it all back together.

Thanks for the help GPzGuy, I'll make sure to do that. And Ed I've been referencing that already, thanks. Have you guys ever worked with Dime City Cycles? (dimecitycycles.com)

I found two different carb kits that they say work for the 1976 KZ400 S2, but I'm not sure which one is the one to get

Type 1: www.dimecitycycles.com/74-76-kawasaki-kz...tor-rebuild-kit.html
Type 2: www.dimecitycycles.com/76-79-kawasaki-kz...tor-rebuild-kit.html

You may not need a "rebuild kit". Clean the brass and replace the bowl gasket. Maybe the fuel needles if you think they are bad. Rebuild kits are generally a waste of money.
Take the carbs apart first and see what you need.

Okay thats an excellent point. As far as McMaster Carr for the o-rings, how in the world do you choose which one is the right one? Just try to get the most accurate measurement I can?

Yeah. Or you can go to Z1. They sell the float bowl "o-rings" for $20. You get four for that price. For Jets I went to www.power-barn.com/ . If you go the McMaster carr route just use a piece of string to measure the bowl and order that size circumference.