Kawasaki KZ400

The Kawasaki KZ400 is a street motorcycle produced by the motorcycle division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries between 1974 and 1984.

Twins

Originally the Kawasaki KZ400 was 398cc twin cylinder UJM Universal Japanese Motorcycle. This term is blurred today with the various models Japan builds. Few of which look like the UJM of the 1970s and 1980s. Kawasaki produced the KZ400 from 1974-1984. Some of the later models were 440cc. They were built at plants in Akashi, Japan and Lincoln, Nebraska. The Lincoln plant (1974) made Kawasaki the first foreign motorcycle manufacturer to operate a plant in the United States. KZ400s outsold Honda in the 400cc twins market through the 1970s. These motorcycles were marketed as fuel efficient transportation. Ads would feature the KZ400 next to a Volkswagen Beetle and the tag line "think smaller."

The early models were prone to oil leaks and unstable idling. Both the carburetors and the design of the oil passages were redesigned for models beginning in 1977. Some models were offered bare bones, with no electric start and front drum brakes. Most, however, had a single disc in the front and drum in the rear as well as electric and kick starters. Deluxe models even had a fairing and saddle bags.

Fours

The Kawasaki KZ400 had an inline four cylinder variant named the Kawasaki KZ400-J, which had a slightly different, but in many pieces similar engine to the larger Kawasaki Z500/Z550 models. It had a "West Germany" limited version limited to 25 kW. The engine was an air-cooled 4 cylinder, 4 stroke, 8 valve DOHC engine, accompanied by a 6 speed gearbox. Only electric starter was on these models, no kick starter was featured. The KZ400-J had a single(US model) or double(UK, Western Germany models) disc brake at the front, and a drum brake rear. Rather scarce bike, not very easy to find spare parts.

The 1980 model was identified as Kawasaki KZ400-J1, while in 1981 Kawasaki KZ400-J2 was introduced, with small differences, like the transistorised ignition system.

It seems that in 1983, when the GPZ400 was introduced, it used the same engine (needs confirmation!), but later it was changed, the 1985 model has different bore.

Engine datasheet:

Transmission data:

External links

* [http://kz400.com/ KZ400 home page]
* [http://kz400.com/ModelhistoryFrameset-9.htm KZ400 Model History]