Kawasaki KZ400

The Kawasaki Z/KZ400 is a street motorcycle produced by the motorcycle division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries between 1974 and 1984. It was developed into a larger brother, the Z/KZ440 where the stroke was increased to increase engine capacity.

Twins

The "original" Kawasaki KZ400 was a 398cc twin cylinder UJM Universal Japanese Motorcycle produced from 1974-1984, though some later models displaced 440cc. The KZ400 was built at plants in Akashi, Japan and Lincoln, Nebraska. The Lincoln plant (built in 1974) made Kawasaki the first foreign motorcycle manufacturer to operate a plant in the United States. The KZ400 outsold Honda in the 400cc twins market through the 1970s. These motorcycles were marketed as fuel efficient transportation, and ads featured the KZ400 next to a Volkswagen Beetle with the tag line "think smaller."

Early models were prone to oil leaks and unstable idling. Both the carburetors and the design of the oil passages were redesigned beginning in 1977. Some models were offered as bare-bones transportation, 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 also 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 engine derived from the larger Kawasaki Z500/Z550 models. The KZ400J was produced from 1980-1983, and was available in a "West Germany" 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. These bikes were electric start only, and the KZ400-J had a single(US model) or double(UK, Western Germany models) disc brake at the front, and a drum brake rear.

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