I bought the 1977 KZ-400

FastDoc · 02-19-2010, 12:05 PM

What a deal, I think.

$400 8)

A minty antique KZ, all original except for new tires. 5,000 miles. All it needs are carb boots and fork seals, all of which are included in the sale. It runs well enough as it is, but it does need those items replaced. It needs a bath and the chrome polished, but other than that it will be a near mint looking machine. No tears in the seat, no dents or scratches, and all the chrome is there, even the stock exhaust.

The first bike I ever rode was a 1977 KZ-400, same color. So, this machine really tickles my fancy!

FastDoc · 02-19-2010, 12:07 PM

The bike is at my friend's motorcycle shop. The prior owner brought it in for the seals and boots, and then he bought a Sportster and never picked up the bike or had Andy do the repairs. It's been in the shop since last summer. I got it for what he needed to pay Andy, which worked out to a dollar a cc.

Jim · 02-19-2010, 12:44 PM

Looks great, I like the color.

FastDoc · 02-19-2010, 01:07 PM

Very nostalgic!

I just had to save the poor old bike. It looked like an abandoned puppy in the back of the shop.

There's also an antique Moto Guzzi there too.... :P

TurboT · 02-19-2010, 03:18 PM

Doc,

Good for you! A nice looking bike. I can't find anything in these parts which would be road worthy, in that kind of shape, for that kind of money. Good buy!

I'm just a 'smidge' jealous.

FastDoc · 02-19-2010, 04:33 PM

I was in the right spot at the right time, and knew the right guy. That said, I might find something else wrong that will make the bike unrepairable, so I'm still holding my breath. I might get it Saturday or next week, and it would be my pleasure to photograph the repairs as I go along.

JimW · 02-19-2010, 05:53 PM

Great buy, doc. I bet it'll make you a fine bike.

katoranger · 02-19-2010, 06:06 PM

That bike is worth every penny. Not many in that condition.

I just need to sell all my projects and buy one good bike. Actually hauled some in for scrap today.

MICRider · 02-19-2010, 06:25 PM

Wow! That KZ looks like new! Wicked deal, well done

.

FastDoc · 02-19-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

Wow! That KZ looks like new! Wicked deal, well done

.

It's gonna look worse before it gets better.

I should post some pics of my other classic, a 1978 GS750.

Weldangrind · 02-20-2010, 01:08 AM

I always liked the Harley-style rear fender on those old KZ bikes. Good score Doc!

frostbite · 02-20-2010, 04:35 AM

Even if you do find something wrong it's still a steal at $400. Nice find.

SpudRider · 02-23-2010, 09:47 PM

That's a beautiful bike, Doc.

You certainly know how to find the good deals! When you have time, please post more photographs.

Spud

FastDoc · 02-23-2010, 11:17 PM

I'll pick it up tomorrow

. It's gonna look worse before it looks better. It needs a tune up, fork seals, brake bleeding, chain cleaning and oiling, carb boots, air filter, and a good wash polish and wax.

Hopefully there won't be any significant snags, and I doubt there will be. Like I say it runs OK now, and the carbs have already been rebuilt. It just needs some TLC, and I'm the man to do it. It only has 5,000 miles and it's on brand new tires.

I think I'll have it roadworthy and 'restored' for less than $500, all together including the bike, plus license. BUT I'll register it as an antique, so the tabs will be permenant.

FastDoc · 02-24-2010, 10:46 PM

I brought it home and got it running OK

. It has some minor carb issue, I think either a leaky vacuum diaphram and/or leaky needle valve/seat. No biggie. I have to replace the carb boots anyway so I'll fix it up when I have the carbs off. It rides fine now, just not as perfect as I'd like.

I changed the oil (yuck) and brake fluid, points, plugs (looked a little rich), and adjusted the chain. Then a good soak with degreaser and a good hit with the Honda Powerwasher! She looks good! 8)

Tomorrow I'll tackle the fork seals if I have time after a meeting I have to go to after work.

I rode it about 30 miles and it's a lot of fun. Bikes have come a long way in the past 33 years, let me tell you! 8O

It's light, has a solid frame with no flex, good brakes, good ground clearance, acceptable suspension (after I fix the fork seals), and vibration is not bad at all (counterbalancer). It's supposed to have 36 HP, maybe that's not as much as it sounds.

It's still not an interstate bike. 80 is all it's good for unless I tuck. The old reports say 98 MPH top speed but I have no desire to find out. All I can say is if you're going 70 and hit a headwind or a hill, you're looking for 4th gear.

I'm a happy camper!

02-19-2010, 12:05 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I bought the 1977 KZ-400 What a deal, I think. $400 8) A minty antique KZ, all original except for new tires. 5,000 miles. All it needs are carb boots and fork seals, all of which are included in the sale. It runs well enough as it is, but it does need those items replaced. It needs a bath and the chrome polished, but other than that it will be a near mint looking machine. No tears in the seat, no dents or scratches, and all the chrome is there, even the stock exhaust. The first bike I ever rode was a 1977 KZ-400, same color. So, this machine really tickles my fancy! __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-19-2010, 12:07 PM	#2
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	The bike is at my friend's motorcycle shop. The prior owner brought it in for the seals and boots, and then he bought a Sportster and never picked up the bike or had Andy do the repairs. It's been in the shop since last summer. I got it for what he needed to pay Andy, which worked out to a dollar a cc. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-19-2010, 12:44 PM	#3
Jim Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada Posts: 4,880	Looks great, I like the color. __________________ "Be excellent to each other" "We are all human. Let's start to prove it!"
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02-19-2010, 01:07 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Very nostalgic! I just had to save the poor old bike. It looked like an abandoned puppy in the back of the shop. There's also an antique Moto Guzzi there too.... :P __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-19-2010, 04:33 PM	#6
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I was in the right spot at the right time, and knew the right guy. That said, I might find something else wrong that will make the bike unrepairable, so I'm still holding my breath. I might get it Saturday or next week, and it would be my pleasure to photograph the repairs as I go along. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-19-2010, 03:18 PM	#5
TurboT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada Posts: 2,185	Doc, Good for you! A nice looking bike. I can't find anything in these parts which would be road worthy, in that kind of shape, for that kind of money. Good buy! I'm just a 'smidge' jealous.
	0

02-19-2010, 05:53 PM	#7
JimW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Panhandle of oklahoma Posts: 276	Great buy, doc. I bet it'll make you a fine bike.
	0

02-19-2010, 06:06 PM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	That bike is worth every penny. Not many in that condition. I just need to sell all my projects and buy one good bike. Actually hauled some in for scrap today. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

02-19-2010, 06:25 PM	#9
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Wow! That KZ looks like new! Wicked deal, well done .
	0

02-20-2010, 01:08 AM	#11
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I always liked the Harley-style rear fender on those old KZ bikes. Good score Doc! __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

02-20-2010, 04:35 AM	#12
frostbite Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada Posts: 1,744	Even if you do find something wrong it's still a steal at $400. Nice find. __________________ Frostbite "The beatings will continue until moral improves"
	0

02-23-2010, 09:47 PM	#13
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	That's a beautiful bike, Doc. You certainly know how to find the good deals! When you have time, please post more photographs. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

02-23-2010, 11:17 PM	#14
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I'll pick it up tomorrow . It's gonna look worse before it looks better. It needs a tune up, fork seals, brake bleeding, chain cleaning and oiling, carb boots, air filter, and a good wash polish and wax. Hopefully there won't be any significant snags, and I doubt there will be. Like I say it runs OK now, and the carbs have already been rebuilt. It just needs some TLC, and I'm the man to do it. It only has 5,000 miles and it's on brand new tires. I think I'll have it roadworthy and 'restored' for less than $500, all together including the bike, plus license. BUT I'll register it as an antique, so the tabs will be permenant. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-24-2010, 10:46 PM	#15
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I brought it home and got it running OK . It has some minor carb issue, I think either a leaky vacuum diaphram and/or leaky needle valve/seat. No biggie. I have to replace the carb boots anyway so I'll fix it up when I have the carbs off. It rides fine now, just not as perfect as I'd like. I changed the oil (yuck) and brake fluid, points, plugs (looked a little rich), and adjusted the chain. Then a good soak with degreaser and a good hit with the Honda Powerwasher! She looks good! 8) Tomorrow I'll tackle the fork seals if I have time after a meeting I have to go to after work. I rode it about 30 miles and it's a lot of fun. Bikes have come a long way in the past 33 years, let me tell you! 8O It's light, has a solid frame with no flex, good brakes, good ground clearance, acceptable suspension (after I fix the fork seals), and vibration is not bad at all (counterbalancer). It's supposed to have 36 HP, maybe that's not as much as it sounds. It's still not an interstate bike. 80 is all it's good for unless I tuck. The old reports say 98 MPH top speed but I have no desire to find out. All I can say is if you're going 70 and hit a headwind or a hill, you're looking for 4th gear. I'm a happy camper! __________________ Happy to serve.
	0