Where do I get the essentials?

Hi...I've never owned a motorcycle so this is all new to me. Can I get spark plugs for my 76 kz400 at an auto parts store or do they have to be special ordered? What is a good plug and do you have any part #'s? How about an oil filter? What brand and weight of oil do you use? How about fork oil and where can I get it? What do you lube the cables with? Thanks for the help.

Any good bike shop or most automotive stores carry plugs i just order mine from www.sparkplugs.com they come right to my door :) We use NGK plugs. You might want to get a manual so you know whats required for your bike.

Post edited by: Jackman, at: 2006/08/16 14:54

I get most of my stuff at www.z1enterprises.com like oil filter, fork oil, stuff like that.
You can usually pick up the same stuff including spark plugs at your local motorcycle dealership, but it will probably be more expensive there.
As for oil. That's a can of worms that has been closed.
Look in the archives for 'which oil should I use', that will keep ou busy for about a week!

I only order them because they are a racing plug not even in the catalog yet. If you need any more info just let me know i have a lot of web sites i use. www.littlecrowracing.com is our site i'm the dude in the back in blue :whistle:

Welcom to Kz rider. Look under your seat and see if the owners manual is there, if not get one off ebay.

Immediately go to this site, www.kz400.com and start poking around. You will find all your specs there.

del

There is also alot of place in the links section to get stuff.

kzrider.com/component/option,com_weblinks/Itemid,7/

JMKZHI wrote:

Get a genuine Kawasaki Factory Service Manual.
Try @bay or google motorcycle manual.
Books4Cars.com is one place: if they don't have your manual listed, give 'em a call.
Someone there can walk back to check.
It's sometimes helpful if you know the color &/or edition of the desired manual.
They're typically $10-$20 higher than what's available at @bay though. 1977 KZ400 manual .

JMK.<br><br>Post edited by: JMKZHI, at: 2006/08/16 15:49

Is that different then the factory service manual that is posted on the www.kz400.com website? The one that is in PDF form and contains pages 1-116.

You want one that is specific to your year, or includes your year/model along with other models. I'm pretty sure that one on ebay will cover you just fine, and $25 is not outrageous a price for a Factory Manual. The pdf on kz400.com will work too, but I like to have a book, it's just different for some reason...

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2006/08/16 19:26

I don't think that the 77 manual will work for my 76. I know that the carbs changed between those two models. I'll keep looking for the right one.

del

I've picked up plugs and an oil filter for my 75 kz400 at the local Autozone. The air filter was a much tougher find, but I think the 76 uses a later, more common one.

I have both the factory and the Clymer manual for the Kz400, they go all the way to the early 80's model, but they're fine for my 75, with additional sections for later bikes.

I just put Castrol high mileage in my bike, even though it only has 14k miles. I think any decent oil except for gas saving friction reducing kind should work, but that's started flame wars in the past.