zx4 vs zxr400 parts and maintenance

xorxorxor · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

Hey everyone!

Just picked up my first bike!

So, I thought I was getting the Kawasaki ZXR400 (got it from a mate), but I just figured out that it's a ZX400, from 1988. It's white/green/blue with single headlight, unlike the ZXR400 H model from 89 which has the two separate headlights.

Anyway, the bike has been sitting for some years untouched and refuses to start. I'm pretty sure its just gunky old fuel in the tank and carbs that's the problem. I put in some redx to see if that helps, no luck yet. I might get this "SeaFoam" stuff from eBay that everyone in USA seems to rave about.

To my question. Does anyone know if I can interchange the parts for my ZX4 with ZXR400 parts? A lot of listings seem to refer to them as the same bike, which is weird. Here's the list of things I'm planning to do to the bike in the next week...some of which need new parts.

Replace the battery (DONE)
Drain fuel tank
Wash/flush inside of fuel tank? (How?)
Replace fuel filter
Flush/add engine coolant (currently completely empty!)
Replace oil (thinking half synth 10w-40)
Replace oil filter
Replace air filter
Replace spark plugs
Find new petcock knob - currently missing so I can't change setting
-Maybe if it still won't start- Get SeaFoam and pour it directly into the carbs. No idea how to do this.

I'd appreciate any input/pointers!

I plan to drain the tank and flush/clean the coolant reservoir today, will need to order and wait for new parts to arrive from eBay for the other jobs.

331X2 · Crazy Courier Joined: 10 Jul 2013 Karma :

I'd avoid the seafoam to be honest, just strip the carbs and get some carb cleaner through all the jets and galleries and make sure they're all clear. If its been sat, chances are everything will be gobbed up with varnished petrol so best to get it cleaned out completely.

Drain tank and fill with fresh juice, tank it to dilute any remnants of the old fuel, fill the float bowls of the carbs, fill the coolant up and see if it'll run. If it coughs into life then give it a service and run it up to temperature to check for leaks and fan working, much easier to get a bike back on the road when you know it runs Smile

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

xorxorxor · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

xorxorxor · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

There are few dudes with a zx400 on the zxr400 forum.

https://www.zxrworld.co.uk/zxr400oc/search.php?keywords=zx400

Join up, say hi, post in the relevant sections. Thumbs Up