Hi Everyone, I have a kz440 question

Hello, I have been riding KZ's since highschool, I have always had alot of fun on them. I recently pickup up an 83 440 LTD. The bike is in good shape(looks like it has lived in a garage allof its life) and besides needing the carbs cleaned there is a rattle in the motor when it is cold. It goes away once the bike warms up. There is abot 13,000 miles on it. My first impression is that the vales need to be adjusted. My question is that since I have no experience with a kz400/440 what else should I look at?

I did do the first step in any good motorcycle purchse, I bought a shop manual.

I am really happy to see a forum on these old Kz's, glad I found you guys.

Thank you

first guess would be the primary chain rattling, wont hurt anything and there is nothing you can do about it anyway. i would adjust the valves anyway cause it would be hard to say when it was done last.
also welcome and we will be needing pictures

Welcome aboard.....we anticipate pics!!

Primary chain, ok I'll by that. I put a screwdriver to the crankcase on the right hand side and the sound is fairly pronounced. It almost sounds like a piston slap on an worn out 2-stoke. It can only be heard at idle, and is noticeable when you goose the throttle. AT mid to high rpm it is gone, and as I said it is only when cold.

You guys wat some pics eh? Ok I take a few.

Well here it is.. Just brought it home yesterday. Can't find much for $700 anymore. Need some TLC but it rides nice.

pics

Ok one more try

another one... I have a 250CSR in pristine condition. I'll have to post a few of those whrn I get out of my dad's garage.

I have never driven one of these before I have to say I like it. I wouldn't acuse it of being fast, but it goes for 440 cc bike (despite the fact the pilot jets are probably plugged). The haed gasket seeps a little oil. I'm gonna take it to a carwash and hose it down so I can see exatly where it is comming from.

oil weep eh? you bought a KZ alright....my 750 doesn't leak anywhere, sometimes it worries me :lol:

My 440 has made the exact same noise on every cold start for 3 years which is how long i've had it. There is a fix though and you've already found it, noise goes away when you rev it.