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1979 Kawasaki KZ400-B2

Picture

Purchase Date: August 2019
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Hillary has been through a few other motorcycles although they had their quirks and we needed one to be flawless, albeit with "classic" style. When I say "quirks" I refer to having a push button starter rather than a large bore single cylinder kick start-only BSA, or sitting in the aggressive racing sport-bike seating position such as the Bandit, or a finicky transmission as our CB350 had.
We had a small handful of $100's from selling the Bandit and some time has gone by. Hillary and I have been methodically searching for the perfect manageable motorcycle for her to ride.
After a few hit and misses with contacts and Craigslist ads Hillary asked me, "What about this one?" I reviewed the photos posted alongside the ad and was impressed - nice and clean. I didn't get excited at the moment; "clean" looking motorcycles come across the listings fairly often. The ad was bleak, not much information. The bike has low miles too, just over 6k. I relayed to Hillary that we should jump on this one quickly if she was seriously interested.
Hillary took care of the meeting logistics with the owner which made it easy for me. In a few days we went to see the motorcycle. Lucky for me it was a short 15 miles away from home.
Arriving at the previous owners house, the shiny dark luminous blue (official color name) Kawasaki greeted us at the end of the driveway. I immediately recognized the "Kawasaki" stance, it is a highly recognizable feature. I have an intimate relationship with the ins-and-outs of these bikes after growing up around 70's Kawasakis. The transaction was swift and easy, after seeing all of the work that was completed from the bike's recent past, it was a no-brainier. All of the maintenance work to get the motorcycle up to modern standards was already completed within the past few years.
The 398cc air cooled KZ has a four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, single overhead cam engine. Top speed is 94 mph delivered by a chain drive, five speed gearbox with 36hp @ 8500 rpm at the wheel. The Kawasaki has both an electric and kick starter for low battery emergencies. Braking is modest with a single front disc and drum rear. The motorcycle weighs in at 386 lbs dry; 3.6 gal fuel capacity averaging at 56 mpg.
September 2019
The motorcycle just needed a bit of a clean up, new battery and mild tune up. I adjusted the clutch, Hillary gapped and installed the new spark plugs. We cleaned up the chain along with a tightening and re-lubing. A few more adjustments were made with the cables and brakes and we were complete. This is a solid bike that required little to make truly road worthy.
March 2020
Driving the KZ is a pleasure. This one has such low miles with everything functioning well it drives as if it was a new bike.
The only downside is the highway speed handlebar vibrations due to the high revving engine. The front end has a slight rake which derives into a bit of a heavy front end, this can also be from the larger OEM handle bars.

Due to life's many demands, the KZ was not being driven - it was time to sell. The bike went to a responsible owner, a vintage Japanese motorcycle collector whom will be sure to take care of this rare find.
Rusted Chrome is not affiliated with any motorcycle brands, companies or clubs. Information provided within this website is for entertainment purposes only.
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© 2014 - 2023 Rusted Chrome
  • Home
    • About Rusted Chrome
    • Contact Rusted Chrome
  • Motorcycles "Current"
    • 1970 Norton Commando 750 Roadster
    • 1973 Yamaha TX650
    • 1978 BMW R100S
    • 1984 Moto Guzzi 850T5
    • 2015 Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 8V SE
    • 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901
  • Motorcycles "Past"
    • AJS >
      • 1953 AJS 18S
    • BSA >
      • 1968 BSA B25 Starfire
    • BMW >
      • 1974 BMW R60/6
      • 1985 BMW K100RS
      • 2000 BMW R1100S
    • Ducati >
      • 1999 Ducati 900SS
      • 1999 Ducati 996
    • Moto Guzzi >
      • 1968 Moto Guzzi V700
    • Gilera >
      • 1966 Gilera 106SS
    • Harley Davidson >
      • 1974 Harley Davidson XLH 1000
      • 2008 Harley Davidson Street Bob FXDBI
    • Honda >
      • 1962 Honda Dream CA77 305
      • 1969 Honda CB350
      • 1974 Honda CL360
      • 1984 Honda Magna VF750C V45
      • 1986 Honda VFR 750F
      • 1992 Honda CBR 600F2
      • 2001 Honda CBR 929RR
    • Kawasaki >
      • 1975 Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III
      • 1975 Kawasaki KZ/Z1 900
      • 1978 Kawasaki KZ650
      • 1979 Kawasaki KZ400-B2
      • 1980 Kawasaki KZ1000
      • 2001 Kawasaki ZRX 1200R
    • MG >
      • 1974 MG MGB GT
    • Suzuki >
      • 1989 Suzuki Katana GSX750F
      • 1992 Suzuki Bandit GSF400
      • 2001 Suzuki SV650S
    • Triumph >
      • 1965 Triumph TR6SR
    • Yamaha >
      • 1980 Yamaha XS650
      • 1981 Yamaha DT175
  • Blog