Thoughts on KZ400 ignition and carbs needed!

[Italian Stallion]

Cheerio folks!

Got my hands on a '76 KZ400 D and wondered if any of you have experiences with a digital ignition on that bike. I want to make her as usable and reliable as possible as I might be riding her every day.

Also on my list: the carbs. I have the stock Keihin roundslides (think they're 32s). I've heard a lot about them being rather unreliable when used with pods. Any experience?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

 

[Nebr_Rex]

The stock carbs are not round slides. They are referred to as CV or constant velocity carbs.
The only electronic ignition I have dealt with is a modified factory system off a 4 cyl..
All 400s and 440s had points ignition except some of the last 440s.


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[Italian Stallion]

You're right! The CVs!
I'm rather new to building so please forgive me if I don't know everything perfectly!

Yup, and I'd really like to swap the stock ignition for a CDI...

 

[diggerdanh]

The stock carbs work well if you keep the stock airbox. My stock carbs worked great in fact. K&N does offer a filter that works with the stock airbox. I ran one for a while and it works fine. Okay, yes I am the person recommending that you stick to the stock carbs and airbox but is running Mikuni VM30s with big K&N pod filters. I simply wanted to "clear the triangle" and I was willing to put in the money and time to get the Mikunis working well. And my VM30s work well, I am not disappointed with them at all. But it is definitely not a plug-and-play solution. Definitely don't put cheap pod filters on the stock carbs and expect the bike to run well. Some have been able to do it but most do not recommend it.

The 81 (I believe it started in 81 but might be 82) and later KZ440s came with an electronic ignition instead of points. The parts bolt on to the earlier model KZ400s and KZ440s and work well. You'll need the igniter, pick up coil and advance/rotor from Ebay or a donor bike. You ought to be able to get all the parts from Ebay for around $100 if you're patient. Or look for someone parting out a later 440. If you examine the wiring diagram for your KZ400 vs the later model one with the electronic ignition you can figure out how to wire it up.

There is also a guy who sells aftermarket electronic ignitions for the KZ400/440s on the Kawasaki Twin Owners Forum site (http://kz400.createforumhosting.com/). I have not used one so I cannot vouch for it personally but it seems to work well.