Kawi2strokes.com Forum

After spending most of last winter restoring the H1E, riding it for a month or so this summer, then selling it, I was left wanting of another project.
As a teen I drove a KZ400. I loved that bike. It got me laid more than any other vehicle in my life. (and I've owned a couple Porsche's) So I looked around for something to strip down over the winter and make it the best bike it can be. On Kijiji I found a 1981 KZ440B2. It was in pretty good shape, the price was something I can afford so I bought it.
I know once restored the value might at best be 1/4 of a triple and might be harder to sell but that was taken into account on the purchase. As there are not really many KZ sites I thought I might post here just for giggles.
In Northern Ontario the riding season is short so one has to have other "bike interests" to keep one going till spring.

If anyone on here knows of access to KZ400/440 parts,it would be nice to know, tx.
I will have to get some parts new or re-chromed so if anyone knows of a good re-chroming facility in Canada...
Tx

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Doug
1977 Kawasaki KZ650 being restored
1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat restored
1981 KZ440C recently restored
1974 H1E Restored and sold
2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
2012 Polaris Sportsman
5 Good Months of Riding in my part of Canada

Well it's done and here are a few photos.

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Doug
1977 Kawasaki KZ650 being restored
1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat restored
1981 KZ440C recently restored
1974 H1E Restored and sold
2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
2012 Polaris Sportsman
5 Good Months of Riding in my part of Canada

More

_________________
Doug
1977 Kawasaki KZ650 being restored
1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat restored
1981 KZ440C recently restored
1974 H1E Restored and sold
2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
2012 Polaris Sportsman
5 Good Months of Riding in my part of Canada

Neat. Have you ridden it much yet? What are your impressions? A friend had a 400 back in the '70s and rode the heck out of it. We even did some long trips, with him on the KZ400 and me on my H2.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

I've driven it about 80 miles so far. I can't believe how good on gas it is. I had a KZ400 when I was a teen and that's why I bought this to restore after I sold my H1E last summer. I loved that bike, drove the crap out it as well. I actually like the drivability of this better than my H1. It's not as fast but a bit shorter and more maneuverable. (Ans it doesn't stink as my wife can say)
I currently have a 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S that I drive most of the time so I might just sell this and try and find another project bike for next winter. Insurance on two bikes when I can only drive one at a time really sucks.

_________________
Doug
1977 Kawasaki KZ650 being restored
1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat restored
1981 KZ440C recently restored
1974 H1E Restored and sold
2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
2012 Polaris Sportsman
5 Good Months of Riding in my part of Canada

Beautiful work!!!

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...