Hello from Ontario, Canada

Hey Y'all,

I'm Justin, Im 30 and recently bought my first motorcycle.
Its a 1979 Kz400 LTD. I bought it on FB marketplace for 250 CAD in the first week of June.
Ever since I was 18 I wanted to have a mechanical project to dive head first into learning mechanical skills and knowledge but haven't had the courage to pull the trigger on anything until now. 

So far what I have managed to accomplish is carb clean, ignition timing and valve adjustment. That, and I got the bike to start and idle but it runs like shit - probably because it came with a useless, incomplete airbox. The plan is to fashion an air box out of an air filter for old Volkswagens. The idea came from a different forum posted by a guy in roughly the same situation with their Kz400. I'm hoping this will spare me the expense and hassle of figuring out how to adapt a better carburetor for at least a while to save up for that kind of thing.
Another thing was while cleaning the rust out of the gas tank that came with the bike I discovered pinholes by the petcock, but of course not before it vomited rusty vinegar all over the garage floor. That led to me buying a new tank that hurt my wallet but looks way better.

Anyway, if you read all that - thanks! 

Im glad to join the forum!

Welcome Justin from another Ontarian. 

Sounds like you've got a good start on getting your bike road worthy again.
Find yourself a Service manual if you don't have one yet, and check everything in the Periodic Maintenance chart.

Thank you Rob, nice to meet ya!
I have been using the manual at kz400.com (Id kiss that website if it were possible) and my dad got me the Clymer manual as a gift. I really didnt expect to have all these resources . It feels like I'm on a well trodden path. Cheers!

Thanks Rob, nice to meet ya!
Ive been using the manual at kz400.com and my dad gifted me a Clymer Manual. I really did not expect to have all these resources. It feels like Im on a well trodden path. Cheers!

Hello Justin, welcome to the forum.
I wish you a lot of fun and success with your project!

Welcome from the UK, have fun:)

Welcome to The aZylum, a little air-cooled corner of interwebs Motorcycle Madness.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Welcome from SW Ontario.

check out this thread  regarding air box

www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/59956...om-air-box-for-kz440

there are similar threads out there. Not hard to find
Good luck with your project

 

Welcome to KZRider Justin....from way down south.

Welcome to the forum!

That looks great, maybe even better than this one  I have been following. I’m going to try to see this one through since I already bought the air filter but if this one doesnt result in the engine running well enough I will probably try the one you sent. Sounds great in the video and it looks like it pulls! Ill make another post about the airbox project whenever I have compiled all the parts. Thank you!

Welcome from Kansas! Looks like it'll be your 2nd Kawasaki you own now. That Toro has one too!