Kawasaki ZL400

[Mez]

So I've finally bought my first bike the right side of 125cc but trust me to be awkward and pick an import.

I've a Kawasaki Eliminator ZL400 in the garage waiting for MOT day, and its in good mechanical condition. I'm prepared to overcome the rarity and related difficulties on the grounds that 1. I've been pining for a 250/400 cruiser since passing my test and 2. the ratings on bikez.com (my first stop in researching a bike) much impressed, besides the fact it was cheap as chips and feels sexy to ride after 125s for 10 years.

Just for reference I'm curious what experiences others have had with them and if parts from the 250 Eliminator or maybe the 600 are transferable? The 400s are the hardest to come by, it seems. Also I read the GPX Haynes manual is relevant for this bike...

Thanks in advance, any info appreciated.
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Honda CG125 -> Baotian BT49 -> AJS JS125 -> Honda CG125-> Kawasaki ZL400 -> Kawasaki GPZ500

[stevo as b4]

Engine wise it should be mainly the same as the ZZR400, and plugs and oill filter's should fit etc. The bike it'self is more of a sleaved down ZL600, so will have much more in common chassis wise than it will with the ZL250. I'd check to see if the part numbers for things like air and oil filters are the same as the one's for ZZR600's, as if so then at least you should be able to get service items easily from any Kawasaki parts stockist.

[UnspeedySam]

Wow...10 years on 125s! I do rate the Jianshe/AJS though, mine has been bulletproof reliable and still pretty fun, even for someone used to 80bhp+.

As people have said, it is basically a GPZ600 engine that has been sleeved down and retuned. I don't imagine it'll be any different to the ZL600 as far as the rest of the components go so you shouldn't have issues finding bits for it. Wemoto have most of the standard service parts as far as I can see: https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/kawasaki/zl_400_a_eliminator/86-87/

56bhp is going to feel like a rocket ship after 10bhp

edit: Important question. What do you actually need for it?

If you haven't already, change the oil/filter and get the valve clearances done. It's quite a revvy little engine so they are pretty important to keep in spec.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Mez]

Thanks for the info folks.

It needs nothing. Shocks are rusting, so what. Tanks dented, pah. Forks, exhaust, electrics, perfectly in order. The only comments I have to make are:
- choke cables missing
- slight water in oil issue

I've already covered the oil issue in the Workshop forum and it's my intention to give the system a flush, then fresh fluids (oil, water, coolant) on Thursday before MOT Friday morning. The valve clearances I'll research when I get home.

Side note: JS 125? Had one, loved that little bike
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Honda CG125 -> Baotian BT49 -> AJS JS125 -> Honda CG125-> Kawasaki ZL400 -> Kawasaki GPZ500

[K13R4N]

I wanted one of these after passin my test but couldnt find one so bought an EL 250.when it comes to parts you might find it uses a mismatch of kawasaki parts but some parts such as tanks and panels are very hard to come by
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A2 license (33BHP Restriction)
Currently ride 1995 Kawasaki EL250

[Qwiktune]

ZL400 engine is the same as the gpz400/600 engine. I have both engines sat in my garage if you ever need any engine spares i should be able to help!
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CBT Passed: 25.05.11, Theory Passed: 12.07.11, MOD1 Passed: 01.04.12, MOD2 Passed: 20.07.12
bikes: Lifan LF125(stolen), Sukida sk125, GPZ 600r, CBR 600F

[bezzabsa]

drop the 600 in to it

[Mez]