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1980 kz 440 cafe racer (first build) 18 Oct 2021 20:53 #856793

  • LandonLikesBikes
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Recently picked up my first bike, it’s a 1980 kz440 with just over 12k on the clock, paid $900. Been doing a few bits to it to make it my own. It was missing the air filter and filter housing, as alot of these bikes are from what I’ve read. I bought the 3D printed model from eBay and it’s been working great. Changed the oil, new grips, ordered some badges and bars. Old bars were bent a little bit, wonder if the bikes been laid down? Anyway serviced the fork with 15w, still feels kinda soft may consider the a stiffer spring? Does anyone have an aftermarket spring in this fork they like? I’m 170ish but I like a firm ride myself and my girlfriend rides with me alot and a bit more support would be nice. There were no rear signals on the bike so I threw on some cheapos until I figure out a different seat. Fixed the horn. Threw on some bar end mirrors, fork boots, and latest project i just finished tonight as I post this, ordered some black mufflers (I hate chrome) to put on and figured I’d wrap the headers when i had it all apart. Couple photos of it when I got it and what it’s looking like now! Thanks for lookin/ any and all advice would be greatly appreciated 
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Last edit: by Street Fighter LTD.

1980 kz 440 cafe racer (first build) 19 Oct 2021 18:52 #856826

  • Nerdy
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It's not a cafe racer, but it is a huge improvement over the stock 440 LTD.

When you have a chance, put a front fender on it: the OEM front fender contained a heavy-ish metal bracket that served as a fork brace. Those 33mm legs need a little support - the front end will be more stable with a brace.

Good luck!
1979 KZ400 Gifted to a couple of nephews
1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
1980 KZ440B
1981 Yamaha XT250H
1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
1981 GPz550
2013 Yamaha FZ6R

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1980 kz 440 cafe racer (first build) 20 Oct 2021 06:22 #856836

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Howdy.  In addition to the Fr fender you probably ought to replace the Rr brake shoes, assuming you don't know how old they are.  The adhesive that binds the linings to the shoes can fail over time as it become brittle, so a lining can separate then get jammed between a shoe & drum, locking the Rr wheel.  It happened to me, so it does happen.  My brake shoes looked fine, almost like new, so you can't tell by looking at them or go by the amount of braking material remaining.

ps: when doing the brake shoes, don't breathe the dust as it may have asbestos. 

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Last edit: by martin_csr.

1980 kz 440 cafe racer (first build) 20 Oct 2021 08:40 #856840

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Welcome to the forum LandonLikesBikes. 
Here are a few sites to assist you:
  KZ400.com
Partzilla - 1980 KZ440
Do The Ton
As for making a cafe bike out of a LTD (swayback) you'll need to flatten out that seat. I used a fiberglass assembly on my cafe XS650. Check out some of the cafe builds on Do the Ton for some ideas on how to go about it. Regrettably the forum section of KZ400.com is a mess as there was a lot of good information there. 
Good luck.
Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

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