1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project

wrote:

The new head gasket diameter looks like made for an big bore piston set other than the old gasket!

 

Good catch, it was the only gasket my supplier could get. It won't affect the performance much as the bike is just a cruiser. 
 

I ran a similarly oversized head gasket on my 750 and it was fine, although when I tore the engine down there was buildup in the gap left. That was after about 10,000 miles I think, so not sure about potential issues beyond that. 

That looks like it would be quite an overbore. Won't that lower compression? 

Theoretically it will lower the compression a bit but I took compression readings both before and after the rebuild. It didn't didn't seem to make any noticable  difference, even tho the cylinders were lightly honed and the rings have not yet seated in.

wrote:

wrote:

The new head gasket diameter looks like made for an big bore piston set other than the old gasket!

 

Good catch, it was the only gasket my supplier could get. It won't affect the performance much as the bike is just a cruiser. 




Are you sure you have a 440?  What is the number cast in the block near the cam chain tensioner?


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The engine pictured is a 440, casting says 443. I also have a 400 with a casting marking 398.
Thanks for the suggestion tho. 

Did you ever find an answer to the question in the mirrors? My '78 400 B1 has the same mirrors, as does the KZ400 that Johnny's Vintage Motorcycle did a video on. Looking up the part number shows totally different mirrors on eBay...
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I've been doing some research. After searching photos online, I have found an online want ad with 5 of these bikes listed. It's in Argentina and a few of the bikes still have the original mirrors, just like the ones I have. I guess I can say that they are original.
Here is one of the bikes for sale.
1981 Z440
Other Kawasaki 440's for sale in Argentina
Kawasaki 440's in Argentina

That was the conclusion I came to as well with my '78. It's odd because the official Kawasaki images of the bike show different mirrors, as does the parts list. I wonder if it was a regional thing? Or perhaps a common dealer upgrade?

I haven't noticed these mirrors on a anything but KZ440 or 400.(B's or C's)  But they seemed to be used for 4 or 5 years. I think the LTD's were a more expensive bike???  Maybe these mirrors were a bit cheaper and used to cut cost?