Kz400 Purchasing Advice Please

Hey everyone!

I'm considering buying this 1976 kz400 for $500.00.

Please take a look at the pics and let me know if anything looks problematic, or if there's any specific to look into on the bike. I know the carbs will need lots of work since it's been sitting with gas in it for years now.

The bike has 7000 miles on it and ran "perfectly" when the guy parked it years ago after the original owner, his uncle, passed away. The bike has always been stored inside.

You can see in a couple of the pics that it looks like a bit of metal on the front of the engine has broken off but doesn't look too bad...

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!

Take a look:

offer him $400.00 and see what he says,but even 500 doesnt seem that bad ive seen a lot worse

Looks very good but I gotta ask ...............what is that on the front fork tube ? a highway foot peg ? an emergency brake ???

I have to admit I've never seen that kind of fitment before.

JR wrote:

Looks very good but I gotta ask ...............what is that on the front fork tube ? a highway foot peg ? an emergency brake ???

I have to admit I've never seen that kind of fitment before.

They're clip ons so you can lean WAY low and reduce aerodynamic drag (or steer with your feet). :laugh:

650ed wrote:

JR wrote:

Looks very good but I gotta ask ...............what is that on the front fork tube ? a highway foot peg ? an emergency brake ???

I have to admit I've never seen that kind of fitment before.

They're clip ons so you can lean WAY low and reduce aerodynamic drag (or steer with your feet). :laugh:

Hah, yeah I thought those were funny also. Apparently the original owner was something like 6'4" and liked to stretch out on the highway...

I had to bring down the guy from 700 to 500, so with that considered, we think this is a pretty good deal? No concerns with that broken bit on the front part of the motor?

Thanks for the input guys!

My D3 has the same horrid looking chip there. Im inclined to say that it's just not a very clean casting. Ill see if I can post some pics for comparison.

Seems to be in fairly decent shape... paint, plastics, dents but will require some work, time and $$$...

Ok, here's the thousand dollar question Jeff....
How big are you, what's your riding style, first road bike, only looking a little run around town KZ or you want to rebuild for long rides & the performance thrill.... How much time & money are you willing to throw into this or any KZ for that matter....

Things you need to ask yourself...

Reasoning... I was looking for my second KZ and KZ650's are fairly regular finds in my area, KZ900/1000's don;t come around a lot....

First off guys, not a slam or anything against the KZ650 so please don't take insult to this or make this a flame war for it does make sense...

Here's the replied statement to me... "After what you accomplished in your build and after you have been riding your KZ, that 650 is not going to bring you the same thrill that you've become accustomed to... No matter what you do to that build, just not going to happen"

Sorry but that just makes perfect sense now don't it...
And considering how much $$$ and time it takes to bring one of these old girls back to life.... well something to think about...

If just for something to do, a run around town KZ then yup, worth $500....

Damn Budweiser....:blush:

Thanks for the input. To answer your questions:

I am 6' and 170 lbs. This will be my first street bike. I used to ride dirt bikes pretty frequently. Mostly I just want something as a project to tinker on and customize a bit, and to ride around town. I've been figuring I could throw $4,000 at it or so...

If you're thinking in terms of being able to spend a couple thousand you may want to consider trying to find a decent KZ650 as your starting point. I am biased; no doubt about it, but since you're roughly my size (I'm 6' 195 lb) I believe the KZ400 may soon feel too small. Since you're willing to tinker a bit and spend a reasonable amount of cash on the bike/hobby I would recommend you get something that you won't quickly "outgrow." I've had my '77 KZ650C1 since new (April 1977) and even though I've ridden KZ1000's I still prefer my bike. OMR makes a valid point about the 900/1000s having more power (thrill), and if that's your ultimate goal that's a good way to go, but for me the 650 has plenty enough power and just fits me better. If possible, see if you can find a couple different model KZ's to ride (or at least sit on) to see which fits you best. Ed

Keep in mind that 400's rarely ever sell for more than around $1200. Also, things like rebuild kits for master cylinders, brakes and carbs are hard to find. Lots of people say they have them but they are almost always for a later model. After spending about $300 just to get mine ready to ride i'm taking a break on spending any money on it. It's great for me running back and forth to school but it does get a bit tedious in rual areas where I now live. Spend some time riding it before you get too ambitious. 4k can get you a machine that will offer a lot more flexibility.

Sorry I haven't been able to get those pics yet; still looking for my camera battery.

.

Jeff456 wrote:

Thanks for the input. To answer your questions:

I am 6' and 170 lbs. This will be my first street bike. I used to ride dirt bikes pretty frequently. Mostly I just want something as a project to tinker on and customize a bit, and to ride around town. I've been figuring I could throw $4,000 at it or so...

The 400.. hrmmm isn't that the one always being passed by Chevettes! The one you back off 10 car lengths, then whined up and hope there is no oncoming traffic when you get back to the car you want to pass. Ah yes it is, I remember now. It did get about 3000 mile on a tank though, chuckle.

Seriously though, if you're that big of a dude and going to toss around 5k for kicks and giggles, take a few breaths and find yourself a bigger Kawasaki worth a rebuild. I'd aim for at least a 750 or higher with your size.

If you're insistent on this, I'd offer him a dollar a CC if the thing actually still runs. At least you'll be able to steer it with your feet. LOL