KZ400 "Dirty Bird" Cafe (Winter mods)

Well I guess the addiction takes over some people faster than others. It hasn't been long since I bought my first bike, 1972 CL100 to do a little cafe project with. Of course I can't help but check Craigslist on a daily basis to see if there is anything too good to pass up. Of course there was.

I stumbled across a 79 KZ400 that has already been somewhat "cafe'd" and has been disassembled for rebuild. I picked it up tonight! Felt like I was steeling it for $100. But maybe I won't feel that way when I start putting it back together.

I am planning on finishing up the CL100 for my wife so she has something better than the 50cc scooter to drive to work and of course I will ride the 400.

Unfortunately no title but I looked into it and it shouldn't be too hard to get one.

Plans:
Rear suspension
Repaint (current plans: White with copper/metallic decals)
Clean, clean, clean
And rebuild and pray it runs.

From the back. I like the tail section even more now than I did before. Just need to get some shocks. It sits way too low with the hard-tail that the previous owner put on it.


I like the lines from the tank back.


From the front.


Pipes are from a 750 and are in great shape.


Virtually brand new tires.


Carbs with filters.


Engine. Sorry it's dark, bad lighting. Going to clean it up ASAP. Shouldn't need much work, it ran before it was disassembled.


Body work that the previous previous owner fabbed up to replace the stock covers. I like it. Gives it a unique look.


Before I put the back wheel on for the "complete" look.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

New pic posted. What do u all think?

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

So awesome for $100. Which one are you going to finish first?

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

66replica said:

So awesome for $100. Which one are you going to finish first?

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Good question! Since this one doesn't need as much mechanical work, probably the KZ first. I will do my best to get then both running by summer though. Fingers crossed!

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Good news. Called the DMV, they ran a title search, found the Idaho title and it sounds like the title process should be pretty painless.

I just need to go in and they will walk me through the process of sending the previous title holder a letter and requesting the title.

I can only hope it is actually that easy. Fingers crossed!

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Nice, I'm working on a Kz right now. Why would someone put struts on a cafe bike?

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Ethanol said:

Nice, I'm working on a Kz right now. Why would someone put struts on a cafe bike?

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Good question. My guess is that the stock shocks were shot and it was cheaper for him to throw stuts on than buy new shocks? I really don't know though.

It was 2 owners ago who did it, so the guy I bought it from had no idea either.

All he said was that it was really low which you can see with the tail section on. You can't even see the brake light from standing behind it. Pretty dumb.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Cool treitz... Looks like a great score!

Ethanol: Because Boise is a mass producer of Walmartians... A breed of individual lacking all ability to make an intelligent nor fashion-able decision. The land where a Jugalo (ICP white trash) is considered to be a honorable occupation. haha

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Man we have our share of Juggalos here. It boggles the mind. Also 79s are supposed to be good years for kzs! Good luck man!

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Ethanol said:

Man we have our share of Juggalos here. It boggles the mind. Also 79s are supposed to be good years for kzs! Good luck man!

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I think your under cover... You know how to spell it correctly. haha

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Swapmeet Louie said:

Cool treitz... Looks like a great score!

Ethanol: Because Boise is a mass producer of Walmartians... A breed of individual lacking all ability to make an intelligent nor fashion-able decision. The land where a Jugalo (ICP white trash) is considered to be a honorable occupation. haha

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HAHAHA so true.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Swapmeet Louie said:

I think your under cover... You know how to spell it correctly. haha

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Whenever I see someone with this t-shirt or tattoo I know I'm dealing with an idiot and I slowly back away...



Obviously Coolio doesn't know how to spell it though.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

BTW Ethanol, I LOVE the seat you made for yours. Might try to make something similar for mine for a two up set up.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

treitz said:

BTW Ethanol, I LOVE the seat you made for yours. Might try to make something similar for mine for a two up set up.

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Thanks man! It was super easy.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Ethanol said:

Thanks man! It was super easy.

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Yeah your write up on it was good. I'll definitely refer to it if I give it a shot.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Ethanol... Another questions for you... This may be a dumb one but since I didn't take the bike a part, I don't feel too stupid asking it.

Where do the wires coming out of the engine on the left side attach to? Someone just cut them off when taking the bike a part. (smart?) If I remember correctly on my CL they went straight to the wiring harness. Same story here?

In general I will probably be hitting you up with some wiring questions as it looks like you simplified it a bit. You didn't happen to draw up a diagram while you were at it did you?

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Hey Treitz,

I didn't do a diagram but I should as it would probably be really helpful. Maybe I'll do one today (bored). As for the wires coming out of the alternator? The have plastic plugs on the end and connect to the recitfier/regulator.

Hmm.. actually now that I thin about it the 79 has a combination regulator rectifier. It's a little different from my 74.

Here's a simple sorta diagram that corresponds pretty well to your bike, I think.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Hmm not sure. Maybe I'll strip some of the black plastic back tonight so that I can see what color the wires are. That might help.

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

I'm an idiot when it comes to wiring but I was able to build a whole new harness pretty easily. They are super simple electrical systems once you get rid of the amazing amount of factory crap. I removed almost a whole grocery bag worth of old rats nest wiring.

Let me know how I can help (I can take some more pics, etc).

Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)

Really? That's good to know. Simple sounds good to me.