KZ400 help help!

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16 Jun 2011 23:28 #457713 by barquirt
KZ400 help help! was created by barquirt
I am the sudden new owner of a 1974 KZ400. Red/black. The side panels say "OHC KZ400" in gold raised letters.

I have rebuilt MANY old bikes (including a sweet still-owned KZ650 cafe bike ... check out the 2011 Parts Unlimited Street catalog and see if you spot it on page 584).

My question - how tough is it to source parts for a '74 400? The motor is free (9,773 original miles) stored inside a shed. Things like engine gaskets, carb kits, etc. How rough is it to track down what I will need? I found plenty of sources for the 650, but i don't see much for KZ400s except the 77-up models.

It will need a total refurb of suspension/engine/carbs i'm sure.

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17 Jun 2011 01:21 #457730 by MuzzleMike
Replied by MuzzleMike on topic KZ400 help help!
Z1 is the place to go here is the link .
www.z1enterprises.com/catalog.aspx?pid=KZ400-1974

I hope this helps

Mike

82 KZ750 LTD H3

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17 Jun 2011 02:09 #457733 by loudhvx
Replied by loudhvx on topic KZ400 help help!
They are not real bad to get parts for. The carbs are still partially supported with rebuild kits, but you have to source the odd o-ring and such. Luckily those KZ400 motors seem to last a long time so you still see them often enough, even though they weren't made in the numbers that a Honda 350 may have been.

Points are still available last time I checked. Most generic condensers will work.
Aftermarket regulators, rectifiers, and ignition coils are readily available, and probably cheaper than they were originally.

The biggest problem in the carbs is usually just a little rubber plug that goes over the jet opening. When that leaks they run real rich.

There are some tricks to getting the vacuum pistons to move freely, but there are several posts on that subject recently.

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17 Jun 2011 02:43 #457735 by Chaotic Reason
Replied by Chaotic Reason on topic KZ400 help help!
Another site I have been finding parts for my bike is oldbikebarn.com Here is the link for your bike: www.oldbikebarn.com/Street/1974-Kawasaki-KZ400
Oh, and this site has good gasket packs: www.partsnmore.com/parts/kawasaki/kz400/?filters [fitting]=custom

Hope it helps

Michael
1980 KZ1000 shaft drive

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