- Posts: 26
- Thank you received: 0
'81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
- Mandyrew
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Less
More
31 May 2011 15:15 - 31 May 2011 15:26 #454528
by Mandyrew
KZ440 LTD '81
'81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee! was created by Mandyrew
Hello,
I'm the proud owner of a new (to me) '81 kz440 and i'm printing up the factory manual as we speak.
I'm a first time bike owner, and I'm looking to learn everything I can about the bike, learn to tune it up and do whatever maintenence I can ... and at this point I know nothing. Looking forward to a good summer.
Since the factory manual reads like heiroglyphics, am on a hunt for a Clymer manual that won't cost me 50 bucks. any hints?
Thanks so much, and I look forward to being generous with my knowledge as soon as I get some!
best,
Andy
I'm the proud owner of a new (to me) '81 kz440 and i'm printing up the factory manual as we speak.
I'm a first time bike owner, and I'm looking to learn everything I can about the bike, learn to tune it up and do whatever maintenence I can ... and at this point I know nothing. Looking forward to a good summer.
Since the factory manual reads like heiroglyphics, am on a hunt for a Clymer manual that won't cost me 50 bucks. any hints?
Thanks so much, and I look forward to being generous with my knowledge as soon as I get some!
best,
Andy
KZ440 LTD '81
Last edit: 31 May 2011 15:26 by Mandyrew. Reason: don't want simley face!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
- Offline
- KZr Legend
Less
More
- Posts: 18640
- Thank you received: 2098
31 May 2011 15:31 - 31 May 2011 15:32 #454534
by Patton
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Replied by Patton on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
Hello, Andy, and WELCOME to KZr!
Click > www.armbell.com/forum/index.php?c=6&sid=...571a51a&mforum=kz400
Good Fortune!
Click > www.armbell.com/forum/index.php?c=6&sid=...571a51a&mforum=kz400
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 31 May 2011 15:32 by Patton.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Mandyrew
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Link14
- Offline
- User
Less
More
- Posts: 575
- Thank you received: 6
31 May 2011 15:33 #454535
by Link14
Replied by Link14 on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
Welcome to the forum. I had a '79 kz400 Ltd as my first bike and learned tons. Don't give up on the FSM....once you learn KAW-ese, I believe it provided a lot more info than Clymer's.
I see Clymer's manuals pop up on e-bay all the time for less than $40. Set up a saved search on your bike model and you can get a daily e-mail of everything thats been posted for sale that day.
Good Luck!
I see Clymer's manuals pop up on e-bay all the time for less than $40. Set up a saved search on your bike model and you can get a daily e-mail of everything thats been posted for sale that day.
Good Luck!
The following user(s) said Thank You: Mandyrew
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Mandyrew
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Less
More
- Posts: 26
- Thank you received: 0
01 Jun 2011 22:58 #454873
by Mandyrew
KZ440 LTD '81
Replied by Mandyrew on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
Hey, thanks a bunch you all. I just took her out for her first official spin, and I'm sure she needs a good adjustment top to bottom. My goal is to learn as I fix, but as a total rookie I'm of course anxious about screwing something up. Hopefully one of my acquaintances who dabble will help out. But i'm wondering, is there any way to find local kz owners?
Oh, and when i bought the bike i checked the turning lights and they were ok ... today, no turning lights. zoiks! suddenly no longer street legal. I will say that I'm excited to learn how it all comes together.
Oh, and when i bought the bike i checked the turning lights and they were ok ... today, no turning lights. zoiks! suddenly no longer street legal. I will say that I'm excited to learn how it all comes together.
KZ440 LTD '81
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Linsk
- Offline
- User
- Ron L
Less
More
- Posts: 89
- Thank you received: 1
02 Jun 2011 01:36 #454913
by Linsk
1980 KZ 1000 A4 1075 kit 1980 KZ 1000 st 2400 orig miles 1982 GS 1100 E sold 2017 ZX 14R
Replied by Linsk on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
Factory manuel much better. Keep that kz tuned up and ride safe Enjoy ur summer
1980 KZ 1000 A4 1075 kit 1980 KZ 1000 st 2400 orig miles 1982 GS 1100 E sold 2017 ZX 14R
The following user(s) said Thank You: Mandyrew
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Mandyrew
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Less
More
- Posts: 26
- Thank you received: 0
02 Jun 2011 01:40 #454914
by Mandyrew
KZ440 LTD '81
Replied by Mandyrew on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
Hiya,
Not sure where to post this, so I'll start here.
the WEIRDEST thing just happend with my new (to me) bike, kz440 ltd, 1981 ...
so i take the license plate off to put on my new tags ... then the pieces I took the plate from don't match the size of the plate when I go to put it back on ... then i realize the metal L-shaped metal pieces are inches from the back tire ... so weird because they don't bend and it's just twilight zone that i can't get the plate on.
I've looked around a lot, and I'm feeling pretty sure that the back fender and breaklight is a custom job ... nothing else seems to look the same ...
this is really embarassing. I took a video of the weirdness and posted it on youtube. This is just too weird for words ...
here's the link:
thanks for anybody's input.
Not sure where to post this, so I'll start here.
the WEIRDEST thing just happend with my new (to me) bike, kz440 ltd, 1981 ...
so i take the license plate off to put on my new tags ... then the pieces I took the plate from don't match the size of the plate when I go to put it back on ... then i realize the metal L-shaped metal pieces are inches from the back tire ... so weird because they don't bend and it's just twilight zone that i can't get the plate on.
I've looked around a lot, and I'm feeling pretty sure that the back fender and breaklight is a custom job ... nothing else seems to look the same ...
this is really embarassing. I took a video of the weirdness and posted it on youtube. This is just too weird for words ...
here's the link:
thanks for anybody's input.
KZ440 LTD '81
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Proxy
- Offline
- User
- 80% Human 20% Nuts/Bolts
Less
More
- Posts: 513
- Thank you received: 46
02 Jun 2011 14:44 #454975
by Proxy
Take it from me cuz I found
If you leave it then somebody else is bound,
To find that treasure, that moment of pleasure,
When yours, it could have been.
1977 KZ650 B1 Being restored to original (Green)
1977 KZ650 B1 Original (Red) Sold
1977 KZ650 B1 Donor Bike for Parts
Replied by Proxy on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
When you show the side view one of those mounts is bent much different than the other. I believe it's just strapping they are using to mount the plate. It should be pretty flexible. In fact it may be too flexible. I'd be fabbing a different mount using different materials.
Take it from me cuz I found
If you leave it then somebody else is bound,
To find that treasure, that moment of pleasure,
When yours, it could have been.
1977 KZ650 B1 Being restored to original (Green)
1977 KZ650 B1 Original (Red) Sold
1977 KZ650 B1 Donor Bike for Parts
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- TexasKZ
- Away
- Platinum Member
Less
More
- Posts: 7576
- Thank you received: 2236
02 Jun 2011 17:24 - 02 Jun 2011 17:27 #455002
by TexasKZ
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
Replied by TexasKZ on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
That looks home made to me. If you have an LTD, it should look like this---
www.kawasakiepc.com/SystemSearch_Frames....249&CFTOKEN=76457030
Scroll down to "Tail light"
www.kawasakiepc.com/SystemSearch_Frames....249&CFTOKEN=76457030
Scroll down to "Tail light"
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
Last edit: 02 Jun 2011 17:27 by TexasKZ.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- TeK9iNe
- Offline
- User
- What did you do!?!
Less
More
- Posts: 2440
- Thank you received: 28
02 Jun 2011 18:11 #455015
by TeK9iNe
ANDY! You've just earned my "Thank God!" Award for today! :laugh: :woohoo:
PS. Hi
Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator
79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors
Replied by TeK9iNe on topic '81 kz440 is my first bike! Yeowee!
Mandyrew wrote: ...and i'm printing up the factory manual as we speak.
ANDY! You've just earned my "Thank God!" Award for today! :laugh: :woohoo:
PS. Hi
Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator
79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.