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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 15 Apr 2022 16:41 #865532

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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. 
 
2015 Vulcan S 650 - Summer Ride
Current Project-1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat
1981 KZ440 Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold
1974 H1E Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold

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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 15 Apr 2022 21:04 #865543

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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. 
1982 KZ750 Spectre - 6 speed swap, BS34s, 18" rear wheel

2001 ZX-6R

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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 16 Apr 2022 06:34 #865557

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That looks like it would be quite an overbore. Won't that lower compression? 
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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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 16 Apr 2022 07:03 #865559

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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.
2015 Vulcan S 650 - Summer Ride
Current Project-1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat
1981 KZ440 Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold
1974 H1E Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold

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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 20 Apr 2022 16:49 #865854

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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?


.
 
2002 ZRX1200R
81 GPz1100
79 KZ1000st daily ride
79 KZ1000mk2 prodject
78 KZ650sr
78 KZ650b
81 KZ750e
80 KZ750ltd
77 KZ400/440 cafe project
76 KZ400/440 Fuel Injected

www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39120.0


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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 20 Apr 2022 18:07 #865858

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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. 
2015 Vulcan S 650 - Summer Ride
Current Project-1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat
1981 KZ440 Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold
1974 H1E Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold

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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 21 Apr 2022 13:03 #865900

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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...
​​​​
1978 KZ1000-A2
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613296-1978-kz1000-a2-barn-find

1978 KZ400-B1

2022 Z900RS SE

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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 21 Apr 2022 17:50 #865914

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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
2015 Vulcan S 650 - Summer Ride
Current Project-1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat
1981 KZ440 Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold
1974 H1E Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold

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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 21 Apr 2022 21:18 #865921

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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?
1978 KZ1000-A2
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613296-1978-kz1000-a2-barn-find

1978 KZ400-B1

2022 Z900RS SE

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1981 KZ440 - New Winter Project 22 Apr 2022 06:41 #865936

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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?   
2015 Vulcan S 650 - Summer Ride
Current Project-1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat
1981 KZ440 Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold
1974 H1E Restoration Completed, Driven and Sold

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