Murphy
New Reader
12/14/14 4:43 p.m.
I just bought my first street bike. An 82 KZ440, in need of an engine. Im just wondering what other years/models I can swap an engine from? Ideally a straight swap, with minimal modifications. Also, if anyone has anything for sale, I just posted a WTB ad for an engine or parts bike in SE Michigan.
thanks
Nick
yamaha
MegaDork
12/15/14 11:20 a.m.
Unfortunately, best bet would be to piece something together via ebay/owners forums unless you get really lucky and find a 440 ready to go. You can probably swap in other 2-4cyl engines without much drama, but it will still require some work.
Is the engine missing altogether, or does it just need repair? That's the twin cylinder bike, correct? If so they made a lot of them, starting with the KZ400 in the middle 1970s; at some point they increased the displacement to 440cc and built them into the middle 1980s. As a result there should still be parts laying around.
If you do a google search on Motorcycle Salvage Yards MI, there are several of them in the SE part of the state.
yamaha
MegaDork
12/16/14 11:25 a.m.
In reply to stuart in mn:
Yep, the kz440 is a twin.
Sounds like you have a parts bike and need to find a runner.
Have a care, buying a replacement engine assembly can easily have you spending more money on a relatively worthless bike than a complete bike would cost.
Beware to titling and tagging issues. Some states record the original engine serial number on the title and have hysterics over engine swaps. Don't know about yours, but you might want to check on this.
Murphy
New Reader
12/16/14 7:48 p.m.
Well I bought the bike with a bad engine because the cosmetic/frame modifications have already been done. So I figured the swap would be the easier task.