TOPIC:

I'm new to the Kzrider site, and was looking for some help possibly.
I have purchased an old '80 kz440 cheap.
Being a project bike, I decided it's going to be a hardtail bobber when its done.

Heres my dilema:
before I bought it, the bike had been sitting quite a while so it needs alot of work all around. Currently I'm trying to track two diaphrams for the carbs, as one is torn and the other has a small pin sized hole in it, but I am having absolutley no luck in finding the replacments.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I've scoured e-bay for weeks with no luck, and visited alot of dead end online stores.

Any help would be greatly apprecaited.
Thanks in advance!



Irish1

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99 Custom built Softail (project)
80 Kawasaki kz400 Bobber (project)
82 Yahama xj650

Have you looked at these guys www.nrp-carbs.co.uk/ ?
They are located in the UK and I beleive the idea is that you send them your old units and they fit new diaphragms for you. I have never used them but have heard they are reasonable.

You may also want to check www.kz400.com
If you are rebuilding you will find this a great resource.

Welcome to the forum, good luck with the project and make sure to post some photos for us.

JR

Thanks for the URLs, I think that is exactly what I'm looking for.
I knew I joined Kzrider for a reason!

Thanks again I appreciate it!

I'll post some pics as soon as I take 'em.


Irish1

Gardiner,ME

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99 Custom built Softail (project)
80 Kawasaki kz400 Bobber (project)
82 Yahama xj650

You Can also check z1enterprises.com. I just ordered my diaphragm kit from them for my 650 and it only cost $25.

torn diaphragms is standard equipment on a 400 they are near impossible to find. seen the site for the place in england but i never tried them. i have two good set for my 400's and one so-so set (patched diaphragms) small pinhole may be ok, but a rip is a no go. generally it is just neglect that will kill a 400. get the carbs sorted, new plug, clean/replace your points, and it should run.
pic is just for referance of two known working sets

Looks sharp flht1997!
Thanks everyone for all the advice. I've got the bike right down to the bare the frame right now, and I am going through and meticlously cleaning the engine.
The guy who owned it before me, looks as though he used it for a field bomber

I'll post some pics as productions persists.


Irish1

Gardiner, ME

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99 Custom built Softail (project)
80 Kawasaki kz400 Bobber (project)
82 Yahama xj650

let me know if you need specific pictures. i am doing two right now. 400 cafe/bobber thing, then all the left overs are going to a 440 dirtbike. these newer 400/440 are just so darn simple to work on. main thing is getting the carbs working, good intake boots and a good 12v to the coil.
does your 80' have a six speed? or is it still a 5.

it's a got 6 speed in it. (That thing got a Hemi?) J/K

Are you leaving the orginal frame for your bobber project? I'm actually looking at "weld on" hardtail section that bwchoppers.com offers. My biggest concern is getting everything lined up properly. I can weld no problem, but have major concerns about chain alignment wheel alignment ect.


Irish1

Gardiner, ME

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99 Custom built Softail (project)
80 Kawasaki kz400 Bobber (project)
82 Yahama xj650

If you go to the Horse Backstreet Choppers site there is a great article with pics on how to hardtail a Japanese four frame. The one they use is a CB but it will work with your frame. It's under "articles" and is titled "Hadrtail Your Japbike".

I checked out the site.
What a great method for alignment!

Awesome thanks for the tip chetriply!


Irish1

Gardiner, ME

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99 Custom built Softail (project)
80 Kawasaki kz400 Bobber (project)
82 Yahama xj650

if your worried, just leave your swingarm in, use your old axle plates and weld you hard tail to them, then cut out your swingarm. on my hard tail i just welded struts into it and left the in the swingarm, never to swing again. the others all have shocks. my back is/has been in constant pain for awhile now so there is little hardtail riding in my future