81mod (K)Z400.

Hi everybody. just writing my first words in this forum. My name is Kristian, from Norway and have just two days ago bought my first Kawasaki. It's a 81' Z400. What's the differenses between z and kz? It's not running , so I guess I'm going to ask you guys more after I start working on it.

Welcome. We can't help you work on it without pics. Pics, pics, give us pics. :lol:
Steve

Welcome. The difference between a KZ400 and a Z400 is primarily where it was sold. In North America it is KZ, in Europe the same bike is just Z. There will be minor differences to meet the various laws of each country, but the basics are the same.

Is it just me or is there an unusually large number of newbies around here with 400s?

It isn't just you. Lately there have been 440s all over, my local Craigslist always has 4 or 5 listed.

They think they're Z1's. Disappointing they aren't worth a lot.
Steve

I don't think anyone thinks they are Z1's, they are just cheap bikes. People always get told they should start on small displacement bikes and there is also always some guy who wants a small bike for his girlfriend. So they are easy for people to sell them. The carbs are picky as hell and they are not the fastest things so people quickly get board with them or give up on them and sell them for cheap. It seems like a never ending cycle lol.

Vintage is in. So some try to make money on it only to find what they have isn't worth what they thought. :whistle:
Steve

"Real, not retro."
Steve

This is nothing that I'm planing to make money on. It was just that I wanted a winterproject and I got it really cheap. It have been stored for the latest 15 years, so it looks really nice.

I'm 25, for me the fun thing about these bikes is that they are simple and easy to work on. The fact that retro is an in thing doesn't really come into play.

Three years ago, I knew nothing about motorcycles, engines or really anything regarding basic mechanics. Today, I rode to work on a 440 I picked upa year ago as a basket case for $75. The feeling of rebuilding something, everyone else saw as trash, by yourself is pretty amazing.

To me most modern bikes look uncomfortable or just plain stupid. There really isn't much you can do to make them "you're own" without spending a fortune and they require you to rely on the dealers for maintenance. None of which I am interested in. Plus the look on people's faces when their new ninja or sportster gets smoked by my 82 750LTD is priceless.

Anyway Kristian here are some tips...
1. Get a shop manual for your bike. Here is a link to a free download. kz400.com/WorkshopManFrameset-5.html

2. Post some pictures, we tend to me more inclined to post responses when pictures are involved.

3. If you don't want headaches, keep the bikes exhaust, carbs, and airbox as intact and close to stock as possible.

4. Ask questions regardless how petty they may seem. Someone will have an answer.

5. Have fun! These bikes make good winter projects and are a blast to ride when they are finished.

Hi. Here`s a pic of my new addition to the garage. Thanks for some good advices. Do you also have some advises about other places than Ebay where I can find parts for z400`s. Online stores that ships to Norway as well.

Kristian79 wrote: Hi. Here`s a pic of my new addition to the garage. Thanks for some good advices. Do you also have some advises about other places than Ebay where I can find parts for z400`s. Online stores that ships to Norway as well.

Very nice! I bought a '82 GPz750 at the end of June. I had it running well enough by the end of July to ride to work. Had a hiccup and it sat in the garage for a week and I've been miserable. So bad I bought a backup '79 KZ1000ST that should be roadworthy enough once a I do a little work. Hopefully I've worked the GPz issues out. It's a steep learning curve but you get a ton of help here. Ask the dumbest questions you need to. Look how many posts I have racked up in less than 3 months.

There are many people in Europe that like these KZs or Zs as the case may be. I know there are several sites in the UK and Germany that have parts for them.