Hey from Rhode Island

fiddbow · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:12 am Post subject: Hey from Rhode Island

I stumbled upon your site and like what I see. I recently finished restoring/modifying a 1980 Kawasaki KZ440B1. She was in sad shape cosmetically but only had 6k on the clock. Took me a couple of winters but it sure kept me occupied. I look foward to learn from this site.

Paul

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:23 pm Post subject:

Glad to have you Paul. This site is growing and so is the hobby of restoring vintage jap bikes. It is a good hobby to get into. Keeps me out of the bars. Guess, does that Kaw have belt drive?

fiddbow · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the welcome Steve. No its a chain drive. Here's a pic of what it looked like after i stripped off the sheetmetal.

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject:

Nice little twin. My bad, the belt drive was 1981? Kaw 440 LTD. Is this the same engine as the LTD?

fiddbow · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject:

Yup...same exact engine. The frame is a little different as the bike didn't have the "LTD" look but more of a "standard" street style. I've learned a lot about them from kz400.com and their forum. Wealth of info on these little twins. I've owned a couple harleys and a goldwing in my life but I'll tell you this is the funnest thing to ride. I've really grown fond of vintage Japanese bikes and hope to do a real restoration soon. Maybe even a 2 stoke if I can find one around here.

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject:

Now your talking. I have a Yamaha RD350, Suzuki GT380, Yamaha RZ350 and Kaw S2350 not to mention all of the two stroke dirt bikes. I just sold the might Kaw H2 triple. Let me know what you are thinking about . Oh I have a 1967 Suzuki TC250 X6 scrambler. ANyway, the Suzukis are smoother and more refined than the Kawasaki two strokes. Good luck.