I have an opportunity to buy a 1977 KX 400. It hasn’t been ridden for the last 5 years and is stock. The owner claims the motorcycle worked good prior to it being stored. The owner of the bike recommends cleaning the carb/jets, clean and re-oiling the air filter, replacing the gas, which is easy to do. The front brake does not work but the owner thinks it just needs a new cable, and tires. The motorcycle has not been ridden much. What is it worth, what type of riding is it good for, and any thing I should check before buying it. Thanks
1977 Kx 400
- Thread starter KDX200Kev
- Start date
kerrymccaughey
Member
- Mar 29, 2005
- 20
- 0
kx 400
The 78 Kx 400 is a very good vintage mx'er. Parts can be tuff to find, a local mech.at the Kaw.shop races a 79 250 and does real well.I'm not sure where your located but vintage mx is alot of fun,most of us are 30-60 years old.We don't care what kind of grips, pipes or graphics you have! It's better than modern mx's hype,and gimicks you bolt on your bike.I'm 48 and have35 years of mx racing time under my belt and race both circuts I know....Kerry
The 78 Kx 400 is a very good vintage mx'er. Parts can be tuff to find, a local mech.at the Kaw.shop races a 79 250 and does real well.I'm not sure where your located but vintage mx is alot of fun,most of us are 30-60 years old.We don't care what kind of grips, pipes or graphics you have! It's better than modern mx's hype,and gimicks you bolt on your bike.I'm 48 and have35 years of mx racing time under my belt and race both circuts I know....Kerry
kerrymccaughey
Member
- Mar 29, 2005
- 20
- 0
PS.the bike is worth up to $3000 + or - restored...1800-3000 in race ready condition or as low as $700.oo in rideable, o.k. for trail use. not running 700 and down depending on restorability or use as a parts bike.... Kawasaki's are rare at vintage events it would be a cool bike to campaign...usally fork seals and "outer" motor seals start to weep when you begain to use the bike again,fuel line gets hard and the foam on the air filter will degrade that's about it...Kerry
dirt bike dave
Sponsoring Member
- May 3, 2000
- 5,348
- 3
I didn't think there was a KX400 in '77. I know the '78 KX line was all new and much different than the '75 - '76, but you might want to verify the year before you pay a premium price.
- Thread starter
-
- #6
I went and looked at the motorcycle yesterday and yes it is a 1977 KX 400. The seller has the pink slip from the original owner but never transferred it into his name. Thus I don't know if this an issue with registering it. May not be to big of a deal, but in CA that usally not the norm. It looks like its been stored outside for the last 5 years. Rust on the handlebars, spokes, kick shifter, and fork sliders. The left front fork has a seal leak. The tank is plastic but has age stress marks. Don't know if the tank leaks since it was empty with the exception of the dirt residue in it. There's no air filter on the bike. The rear brake engages but does not release on its own. The front brake cable is broken. Exhaust pipe is all dented up. Rear shocks does'nt respond when you bounce on the seat. The plastic (fenders and number plates) is original and falling apart. Grips are gumming (messy). Tires are worn and cracking. The engine has compression but you can push the kick lever down with your hand with out much effort. The transmission oil has not been changed for the last 10 years since this guy appears to not know how to maintain a motorcycle. Now granted he only asked $75 for this motorcycle and was willing to take $50 for it. I found myself thinking is it even worth that given the shape its in. What do you think???
- Thread starter
-
- #8
It has two shocks. The springs were yellow if that means anything. Looks like it might be a 1975 model year based on this link http://www.kawasakinorthside.com.au/category132_1.htm.
The gas tank is plastic and lime green with Kawasaki letters on the side.
The gas tank is plastic and lime green with Kawasaki letters on the side.
dirt bike dave
Sponsoring Member
- May 3, 2000
- 5,348
- 3
Sounds like a project that will never run safely again without major infusions of cash and time. Maybe someone who already has a similar KX would buy it cheap as a parts bike.
If it has a down pipe, it sounds like a left-over '75 or '76 that first sold in '77. Metal tanks on the mid '70's bikes were easy to dent and often replaced with aftermarket plastic.
Even though you would only be out $50, I would pass and spend a little more on a better bike that has a chance of being rideable without major effort.
If it has a down pipe, it sounds like a left-over '75 or '76 that first sold in '77. Metal tanks on the mid '70's bikes were easy to dent and often replaced with aftermarket plastic.
Even though you would only be out $50, I would pass and spend a little more on a better bike that has a chance of being rideable without major effort.
The 1976 KX400 A2 had a "down" pipe alright. Thats how it came. You can check the engine number and the frame number for "A2" in there at the beginning... that will tell you if it is indeed a 1976. IF it is a '75 it will say A1. The 75 and 76 were virtually identical anyway.
It did not come with a plastic tank, but yes, Kawasaki did have plastic tanks in the '70s...for example the F12 MX which was a 450.
The KX400 A2 was a produciton racer. They are very collectable. They can be raced in the sportsman class in AHRMA, and they are VERY competative there.
It did not come with a plastic tank, but yes, Kawasaki did have plastic tanks in the '70s...for example the F12 MX which was a 450.
The KX400 A2 was a produciton racer. They are very collectable. They can be raced in the sportsman class in AHRMA, and they are VERY competative there.
Last edited:
Here... check this out. it is an article about the 76 400....lots of cool info here...
http://kawasakikt.tripod.com/KX400A2CG.html
Good Luck!
http://kawasakikt.tripod.com/KX400A2CG.html
Good Luck!
Hmmm.
Hard to say.
There was a really sweet one on Evilbay a while back, and the guy wanted $2500 for it, but it didnt sell.
Id say if it was put right, like really nice, between 2000 and 3000 to a Kaw person.
A bones up restoration would bring more...
If it was simply complete and running but not all that pretty and not restored, Id say 900 to 1500 ?
I would pay 600 for one that was complete and not running as long as it wasnt locked up. (that is if I had the money!)
Hard to say really. My dad used to say something is worth as much as something else is willing to pay for it.
Hard to say.
There was a really sweet one on Evilbay a while back, and the guy wanted $2500 for it, but it didnt sell.
Id say if it was put right, like really nice, between 2000 and 3000 to a Kaw person.
A bones up restoration would bring more...
If it was simply complete and running but not all that pretty and not restored, Id say 900 to 1500 ?
I would pay 600 for one that was complete and not running as long as it wasnt locked up. (that is if I had the money!)
Hard to say really. My dad used to say something is worth as much as something else is willing to pay for it.