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Kawasaki Z 440C

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Make Model

Kawasaki Z 440C

Year

1979

Engine

Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 Valve per cylinder.

Capacity

443 cc / 27.0 cu-in
Bore x Stroke 67 x 62mm
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression Ratio 9.2:1

Induction

2x 32mm Keihin carburetor

Ignition 

Battery powered coil
Starting Electric

Max Power

41 hp / 30.5 kw @ 7000 rpm

Max Torque

3.6 kgf-m / 26 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm

Transmission 

6 Speed 
Final Drive Belt
Frame Tubular, double cradle

Front Suspension

Telescopic forks
Rear Wheel Travel 127 mm / 5.0 in

Rear Suspension

Swingarm
Rear Wheel Travel 96 mm / 3.7 in

Front Brakes

Single 275mm disc

Rear Brakes

Drum

Front Tyre

3.00-18

Rear Tyre

3.50-18
Dimensions Length 2070 mm / 81.5 in
Width    775 mm / 30.5 in
Length 1070 mm / 42.1 in
Wheelbase 1370 mm / 53.9 In
Ground Clearance 125 mm / 4.9 in

Dry Weight

166 kg / 366 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

14 Litres / 3.6 US gal

Standing ¼ Mile  

14.6 sec / 88 mp/h

Top Speed

115 mp/h

The "original" Kawasaki KZ400 was a 398 cc twin cylinder motorcycle produced from 1974 to 1984, though some later models displaced 440 cc. 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 400 cc twins market through the 1970s. These motorcycles were marketed as fuel efficient transportation; a 1975 magazine advertisement for Kawasaki featured the KZ400 next to a Volkswagen Beetle with the tag line "Think even 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.