Going to buy a 440 - what should I look at?

Im going to be taking a look at buying an 81 KZ440 (chain version I believe?).
Im relatively technical and have worked on bikes before - what should I analyze about this model specifically? What's known to fail?

It's a craigslist find - seller says the motor runs smoothly, but sometime last year something happened so that the bike no longer runs under it's own power. I don't think that means the motor dies, but perhaps is clutch related.

Im planning on analyzing the usual, tires etc. and compression test - what else?
How can I try to field-diagnose what might need to go into this bike?
How much could I get for it parted-out if I can't save her?

Thanks!

Original air-box would be a plus.

Absence of original air-box would be a minus.

Good Fortune!

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anytime you buy a non running bike it's a crap shoot in 2004 i bought a buddy of mine an 80's 440 so he could go ride with me.

That little bike was a workhorse. my buddy rode it rain shine snow everywhere to and from work was over 60 miles As he was not mechanical he didnt have to be.

the only things we did was put some Sportster shocks on the rear the factory shocks were weak when riding 2 up. and the gas tank was rusty when he got it and eventually rusted completely out.

it has sit for the last 2 years but I got 20.00 put a battery in it a decent tank with new gas and he would be riding this afternoon so

Buy it You will get it running and have a little workhorse.

If you get good compression, than you are pretty solid. The main thing I would look for after that would be if it has a clear title. Don't know about WI, but in some states its a real pain to fix that. Next, I would make a list of what is missing, therefore you should take a list with you of what to check to make sure its there (e.i. air box, all the turn signals, fenders, and so on). I know that may sound silly, but I can't tell you how many times I had to go to Z1E or the internet to purchase odd parts and they can add up into the hundreds. Even if the parts are there, depending on their shape and your standards (un-salvageable rusty parts, etc) they may need replacing. Take that into consideration wit regards to price. What shape is the belt, and tires? The tires most likely need replacing. But if he tells you they not too old and look new, then that is a big plus. Good luck.

Its a whole lot cheaper to buy a good running bike. I dont know about other places but in Montana a 440 has zero value, running or not. Id move up to a 750 or 1000, easier to sell & get parts for, just my opinion, others may vary

I didn't know the difference between an ltd bs a regular 440 till I got it home. The frames are different.

the carbs have diaphragms on top. If they are torn, the bike may idle, but not rev. The diphragms/slide parts cost over $100 each and there are two. You can get some aftermarket ones, sometimes $40 a pair, but they require some work to replace and don't always turn out perfect.

Look what followed me home

$180 with title and clymer manual, and I even got it to engage in gear with a clutch cable adjustment.

You made out well Splazoid. Looks like everything is there. Even the air box. You are way ahead of the game in that regard. And for the price, you got a very good bargain, can't go wrong. Looks like a chain drive. You would be amazed how much better it looks like after your first wash (try simplegreen).

Congratulations!

cGood find! doing the whole ten yards of clutch adjustment in the manual may even go further and takes about ten minutes.

Great find! I want one too. :laugh: How many miles on it? What part of WI are in? There are at least 2 KZR members in Mad City. I'm in West Bend. Get that thing runnin' and join the N. American Relay Ride.