You are correct: parts are available just about everywhere and they're inexpensive. I picked up a basket case (complete) 1981 KZ440B, with two new IRC tires, for $100 and a 1981 440 LTD (complete, with clear title) for $200.
Are you looking at the standard or the cruiser (LTD)? I'm thinking an LTD since you asked in another thread about mag wheels.
Either way, from 1981 you should have electronic ignition rather than points. I had a '79 KZ400 with points, but I'm not sure exactly how things went in 1980. The carb boots can be an issue: I got the 440 LTD so cheaply partially because the PO grew tired of applying silicone to the boots to stop an intake leak. (He used a LOT.) I'm replacing the stock carbs with Mikuni VM30s and new boots so I wasn't worried about the leak or about the state of the carbs themselves.
If it has the belt drive, which I suspect it does since you asked about that in another thread as well
, you have a few options:
- Use the existing belt (probably not recommended)
- Try to find an OEM type belt that's under 10 years old (good luck)
- Find an equivalent snowmobile belt (have read about people doing this but have no details)
- Convert to chain and sprockets (probably your best bet)
The 440 LTD I picked up is a project bike. The original tank is being replaced with a tank from an '81 GPz550: it fits on the existing mounts and sits low enough not to interfere with bars or the clamps. (I do not like the teardrop cruiser tank.) I had to trim the stock seat pan and foam about 1.5" at the front to make it play nice but it works. The stock foam is being trimmed into a bum-stop style seat so a little off the front wasn't a big deal.
This bike will receive the same updates as the '79 400: new incandescent turn signals and an LED tail/brake light/license plate holder. The aftermarket signals are much brighter than stock, and much smaller, and don't require a new flasher or other workaround to get the flash rate right.
good luck!
EDIT: Forgot that a B followed by a ) is rendered as