TOPIC:

Hello everyone i recently acquired a 1977 kz400s3. atleast thats what the tittle says i was wondering ifanyone could tell me if this motorcycle came with a starter, i have been searching for a few days and i havent found anything the only thing i have found is that the kz400 deluxe came with one. which leads to my main question the engine and the frame both have different VIN numbers which makes me believe that this bike had an engine swap. it also has a starter so maybe the last owner was trying to do a conversion? any help would be great!

I don't think the KZ400-S3 came with an electric starter. Take a look at the first link below and click on "Select Assembly" to see parts diagrams. Also, the second link below should provide useful info. Ed

www.powersportswarehouse.com/p/Kawasaki#/s/KUS/kz400-s3//1/

www.kz400.com/

Very few serial numbers match.
If you have a starter and it works that is a plus.


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Somebody could have easily changed the switch gear on the handlebar. The starter cover is that chrome rectangle on top of the crankcase below the carbs. Remove two nuts and you can see for sure if a starter is present. You are correct that the S did not come with one.

As you suspected and as mentioned before the S model did not come with a starter - it was kick start only. It appears that a PO was in the process of adding a starter, which would explain the right switch gear with the starter button. Get a copy of the service manual ( you can download them - check kz400.com for a start) and it will have the wiring diagrams which you will probably need to finish the upgrade.

As for serial numbers, they do not match between frame and engine. Check here to verify each and validate that the bike is what you think it is: kz400.com/ModelidentificationFrameset.html