Looks good - rides OK.

74 Kawasaki Z 400 discussion forum:


Looks good - rides OK.

Looks good - rides OK. 
NN said 2002-03-11 08:59 
 
When I was looking for some early 1980s used smaller bike, I came across several of those inevitable 400cc Japanese twins of that era.
The Suzuki GS400E might be faster (fastest 27 din hp bike in those days - I got my driving licence on one of those), but the Z 400 is more of a beauty to me.
When I was surfing the Internet for some details on the Z 400, I found that the model wasn´t quite popular when new. Too slow, not enough Kawasaki (i.e. small frame, much power, bad handling, etc..). In spite of those warnings I got myself that beatiful 1981 model (low miles, not rotten at all) I fell in love with at first sight. Alternatives had been, of course the Yamaha 500 SR, some Suzukin 550 Katana and a Honda 500 CBR. Now I own the J Custom model, black with gold-linings. The bike runs considerably slower than specified (top 140km/h) and it not easy to get some of the acessories of the day, but spare-parts isn´t that much of a problem.
I never regretted buying this one:
- looks good (at least that "Custom"-model
- rides ok, if you´re not into that sports thing
- is reliable (YES, MINE IS - IN EVERY RESPECT)
- economy is alright, too
So if you´re up to get yourself one of those check out:
-) there´s a really a LOT of different models in the 400 Z series, some look like sports. Something they´re not, of course. With a bike performing like mine you´ll be disappointed.
-) There´s word that fine-tuning the carbs is quite of a problem. Be sure that you can handle the problem or know (or pay) someone who can. Because I like that little bike I treat it like a new one and let it have its routine insepections (just like the guy who owned it before)
-) Of course just of age alone: Chrome, screws and stuff is prone to rust, you better take care of that
-) It´s a nice bike for everyday riding and a nice weekend about the country. Cruising and stuff.
-) It´s no Autobahn-Racer, it´s not first choice for agressive cornering (not even about backwater roads) 
 
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