Starting my 1976 Kawasaki KZ400

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  • Опубликовано: 6 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 42

  • @arniet1
    @arniet1 Год назад +2

    Cool. It makes me want to just go out and buy one.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  Год назад

      If you can get your hands on one I would highly recommend it.

  • @markchimmy
    @markchimmy Год назад +1

    Thanks for sharing! Years ago I had a same one but red color bought it from an old guy that was having a garage sale for $500 put fresh gas in and a new battery it didn't take long before it fired up for the first time after 20 years! amazingly the tires were like new and still in good condition no cracks! paint like new all original! rode it home like 10 miles no problem later I noticed it had a small oil leak was told by a local motorcycle mechanic that the head bolts needed to be tighten up a little more beyond factory specifications since the 400's were known for oil leak. as time passed I had no choice but to sell it it wasn't easy, and I still miss it a lot!!! although it wasn't a good bike for me to ride on the highway it was perfect around town and great on gas with plenty of power for me. Hope to find one in the future again and it's getting harder and they are getting more expensive as they get older. Good luck with yours have fun with it and enjoy it and ride safely.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  Год назад +1

      Sounds like you really miss here old bike. Here's hoping you can find another one someday.

  • @YTjndallas
    @YTjndallas Год назад +3

    I really like that bike.
    ✌🏻😃👍🏻

  • @susanringsmuth4084
    @susanringsmuth4084 3 года назад +4

    That was great Tom!!

  • @edjackson4389
    @edjackson4389 2 года назад +2

    I just bought a 74. It's very nice with only 300 miles on it, but its been sitting in a garage for 20 years. Ive yet to get it started, but I love the way yours sounds, so now Im motivated to get it going lol

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад

      Well hey, that is both awesome and almost unbelievable! 300 miles?! Sounds like it never had the chance to get ridden. I'm glad I was able to help motivate you. Hopefully it's not too much trouble to get running.

    • @edjackson4389
      @edjackson4389 2 года назад +1

      @@ThingsTomLike I agree the milage seemed unbelievable, but I've yet to find anything that contradicts it. The carbs are gummed up of course, and the front brakes are kinda stuck. but the paint is original and in good shape

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад

      @@edjackson4389 sounds like you've got a good project ahead of you 🔧

  • @calcrappie8507
    @calcrappie8507 2 года назад +1

    My first bike back then. Mine had electric start with the kicker too. Rode on the back of my friends KZ750 to get to the dealer in Fairbanks AK. Bought it new and rode it back over 100 miles. I asked my friend what the gear pattern was (1 down 4 up) because I had never ridden a motorcycle. Piece of cake. Saw so much of Alaska and then New Mexico on that bike. Did about 100 mph on the top end. Never any mechanical issues.Good Nebraska built bike.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад

      Woah that's a really cool story. I'm glad you were shit to learn so quickly. Great bike.

    • @calcrappie8507
      @calcrappie8507 2 года назад +1

      @@ThingsTomLike Thanks. Driving a manual stick in my 74 Subaru made the transition super easy. Clutch foot = clutch hand.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад

      @@calcrappie8507 oh I 100% agree. I have a manual Subaru as well.

  • @WeeklyFifty
    @WeeklyFifty 3 года назад +1

    Whoa. I didn't realize that one was actually made in Lincoln. Cool!

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  3 года назад +1

      Yeah! A few years back when I was working at the consumer products plant. I got to talking with one of the old timers there. He said we could look it up. I brought him the VIN and he checked the record archives (which were actually kept on microfilm!) He was able to find information on the bike. It rolled off the assembly line in November of 1975.

  • @richardbassett4247
    @richardbassett4247 2 года назад +2

    I have the same bike and it runs fantastic.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад

      Nice! That's cool that we have the same bike. Kawasaki built them strong. It's so cool that 40+ years later they are still going.

  • @kenyattabaconmanzana
    @kenyattabaconmanzana 2 года назад +1

    Nice! 👍 Kool video! Enjoyed watching. I have this exact same bike same year only red. It’s been stored away in the garage a few years now but I plan to get it out this summer. I had four other different motor cycles before at once but this is the only one I have left now. Enjoy! 🏍

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад +1

      Thanks Kenyatta! Mine also tends to live in the garage. I only take it out a few times a year but when I do it's always very enjoyable. Long gone are the days where I use it for commuting, but taking it out for a spin around the lake definitely makes for a nice ride.

    • @kenyattabaconmanzana
      @kenyattabaconmanzana 2 года назад +1

      You’re welcome! Yes I can agree with you. I would take it a for short cruises with relaxing scenery views like the lake, farms and near by horse ranch. I kept it original but only added neon lights like 13 years ago for more visibility when my wife was pregnant with our first son and we used it on the 4th of July and watched the fire works that night. Thanks again for sharing the great 👍 video.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад +1

      @@kenyattabaconmanzana you are very welcome. I'm glad we both get to share similar experiences on our old bikes.

  • @SteveB-hy2ci
    @SteveB-hy2ci 4 месяца назад +1

    Remember kawasaki let's the good times roll?

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  4 месяца назад +1

      I do remember and I'll never forget. I work for Kawasaki, we have that moto all over the place in the factory. Let the good times roll!

    • @SteveB-hy2ci
      @SteveB-hy2ci 4 месяца назад +1

      @@ThingsTomLike I've got an 81 440 ltd D all original only 9443 miles on it paid 300 bucks at a garage sale got it running and putting it on the road next week and let the good ole times ROLL!

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  4 месяца назад +1

      Heck yeah! Have fun out there next week and stay safe. Glad you were able to get it running.

  • @jennifersman7990
    @jennifersman7990 3 года назад +1

    Seeing this looks so cool. My problem (among many) is I’d need to learn to ride first and then hope I can find one of these for sale. Plus I know nothing of bike maintenance and the Kickstarter makes me believe the bike will never start when I need it to and I’ll be stranded
    Guess I’m not cut out to be a bike rider

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  3 года назад

      One place you could start would be to see if there are motorcycle classes available in your city. We have a few options in my town. They are designed for people who have never touched a bike before. Good luck!

  • @shiloh7150
    @shiloh7150 Год назад +1

    I have a 79 kz400 ltd, and I can't get it to start, any tips?

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  Год назад

      Hmm, try using some seafoam in the gas. That is my go-to when I'm stumped.

  • @JLozdrummin
    @JLozdrummin Год назад +1

    I'm looking to buy this exact year n model. do you still have it, does it run good, any issues that is constant that always needs addressed? Would u recommend this bike? sounds great is it aftermarket slip one pipe?

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  Год назад +1

      I recently sold the bike to a co-worker who is refurbishing the whole bike. If you can get your hands on one I would highly recommend it. I had this bike for about 15 years and I initially bought it for $500. It ran very well that entire time with little normal maintenance. As far as the exhaust I don't know I think it's standard but that's just a guess.

    • @JLozdrummin
      @JLozdrummin Год назад +1

      @@ThingsTomLike Wow $500? I'm looking at one now 13K miles for $2000 is that a good buy? It's very clean and valves, new battery, tires, cleaned carbs, spark plugs, new OEM tank these were all done and purchased last and this year.

    • @JLozdrummin
      @JLozdrummin Год назад

      @@ThingsTomLike How much did you sell yours?

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  Год назад

      @@JLozdrummin if it has that low of miles and that much work done to it then yeah that sounds reasonable. You could buy it and have a vintage bike to play with for the rest of your life.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  Год назад

      @@JLozdrummin I sold mine for almost nothing. It wasn't so much selling it as gifting it to a friend. He is in the process of doing a full restoration of the bike and to me that was more important than trying to get the best price for it on the open market.

  • @Oblio1942
    @Oblio1942 2 года назад +1

    my kz400 is being a little bitch and doesnt want to start. I am sad.

    • @ThingsTomLike
      @ThingsTomLike  2 года назад

      Bummer man. Sometimes I will crank up the idle speed which is a knob in the middle of the engine on the right hand side. It kind of looks like a large plain end screw. If you turn that towards the front of the bike it turns up to idle. You might also try some Seafoam or other gas additive.