1975-77 KZ400 model differences

I'm going to look at three KZ400's for sale tonight, one from each year, and I'm wondering if there's anything to be aware of or that makes one year a better choice than another. They all look very similar, and I believe they're identical engines, but just wondering if there's anything else to be on the look-out for.

thanks,
Chris

I seen those, they are in Waukesha right? None have original paint and it looks like the seats have different covers on them. 75-77 are pretty much the same with paint color being the only real difference. they all look like D models with disc brakes, electric start and a tach. I guess with those i would look at the one with the best tires and that starts and runs the best. cant tell what they have for exhaust so it depends on what you want. the 75' may have a metal air box if it is early enough and the 76-77 should have plastic. the 75 is hard to find the air box to carb boots so look at those. of course head gasket leaks which are common on those prior to 78'. i have a crap load of 400's but only one is older than 78' as i prefer the newer engine, but with the earlier ones they sound a little better in my opinion, more like how a twin "should" sound, but if it isn't leaking oil now, it will be soon. in the picture the one with the red grips is the 75 and it looks like the clutch cable is about ten inchs to long, one looks to have a tractor muffler from Fleet Farm, probably for a 9N ford. the one in the middle with the fairing looks the best to me.

Yep, those are the ones I'm looking at. I was thinking the middle one looked the best as well. It has two mufflers, too, which I'm thinking will be less likely to cause a lean situation. Thanks for the tips. Is there anything that I can do about the oil leaks?

the oil leaks come because the oil feed to the head goes through the cylinder block then into the head and they only seal it with the head gasket, the 78' and later they run an external pipe so the oil is not pressurized byt the head gasket. my 400 i had in high school pissed oil all over the place but i ran it for years that way, just keep it full.

Thanks, I ended up picking up the one with the fairing - the '77. The '75 only had 5,XXX miles on it and a cleaner tank inside, but the clutch wasn't working right and I had a really tough time getting it into neutral. The guy threw in a really nice and clean extra tank, so that sealed the deal.