New rider

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26 Apr 2006 18:54 #42996 by macktrapper
New rider was created by macktrapper
I just joined the forum and am a new rider....or you might say I was a rider as a teenager (long time ago) but it has been about 24 years and did not have much experince with bikes.
Today I brought home a 1980 KZ 440A, with 17,000 miles on it. It is in perfect mechanical shape, looks a little dirty and rough, but nothing elbow grease won't fix. Needs a seat - any suggestions? I paid $400 for it from a trusted friend who is a top mechanic and a long time rider.
I am rather short at 5'8" and thought this would be a good bike to get back into riding.
We don't get a lot of good bike weather in Ohio, and I bought it mainly to ride to work and back on the good days.
You guys can probably tell me if I made a good choice in the bike and the deal I got. I'll post pictures after I get it off the trailer.

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  • RetroRiceRocketRider
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  • ...bring in the machine that goes PING!
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26 Apr 2006 19:38 #43010 by RetroRiceRocketRider
Replied by RetroRiceRocketRider on topic New rider
Welcome to KZr macktrapper.

If it's in perfect mechanical shape as you said, then I think you got a decent deal.
It's kind of a common belief here that on a complete and running older KZ or similar bike, $1 per CC of engine size is about the going rate.

And I think that a 440 is the perfect size bike for someone just getting back into biking after such a long period of time.

I'd suggest adding your location and bike info into your profile when you get a chance.
This way you won't have to state what year and model bike you have each time you need a question answered. And with your location listed, it lets other KZr members know where you are should you need any help in working on your bike, and also to get together with for rides. B)

Covina, So Calif!
78 KZ650-B2 = SOLD
84 ZN700 LTD = SOLD
84 ZX750 GPz = SOLD
89 GSX1100F Katana = SLEEPING :-/
20 VN1700 Vulcan Vaquero (the Blue Cowboy)
Looking for my next project KZ

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27 Apr 2006 06:16 #43107 by ejshotgun
Replied by ejshotgun on topic New rider
Welcome Macktrapper.
Looking forward to pics.
I had a '74 KZ400 back in '84 (course I don't know the differences between it and your 440)and drove the living Crap out of it, freeway/country roads/city and it got me everywhere I wanted to go w/minimal issues.

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27 Apr 2006 06:43 #43115 by Mcdroid
Replied by Mcdroid on topic New rider
Welcome macktrapper! Plenty of help here on this forum...as for your seat, since you are getting into older Z's, you might as well jump in with both feet and do the eBay thing too (if you haven't already). Most of us help support our Z addiction by buying parts from eBay (= the best source of used, quality parts for your bike). It takes saavy and a bit of patience to use eBay, but it is usually worth the wait. For normal maintenance parts, there are several quality outlets, and one of the better ones is Jeff at www.Z1Enterprises.com (no connection to me).

Michael
Victoria, Texas

1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A

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  • tganek
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27 Apr 2006 07:48 #43131 by tganek
Replied by tganek on topic New rider
When you say "seat", do you mean the whole thing or just a cover?
Travellcade makes seat covers that can be found in just about any catalog. They are fairly easy to wrestle on.
Welcome!

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27 Apr 2006 13:34 #43200 by macktrapper
Replied by macktrapper on topic New rider
I guess I do mean just the cover. I have checked out what you suggested and will probably get the foam also. Thanks for the response.
I'm not going to be very good with terminology for a long time - need a shop manual from ebay.

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27 Apr 2006 13:41 #43202 by macktrapper
Replied by macktrapper on topic New rider
Thanks for the welcome - I've already been on ebay looking around even before I brought the bike home and the next thing I'll do is check the website you posted. I got a little concerned about availibility af parts but bought the bike anyway becuse it di look pretty good for it's age. I did discover a crack on the headlight bucket today - another thing on the shopping list.

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