The 400 is said by many to be the best of the Kawi 2 stroke triples. It's well balanced and it's power does not overwhelm the chassis [unlike the 500 and 750 models].
That's the green machine I got when I got out of the USMC. I used to get plenty of tickets when sitting at a red light--when it turned green I'd do wheelies and left the cops sitting still and I was gone in a blue plume of smoke. Those cops' Harleys just couldn't keep up with me. Long live the Kaw 400.
Back in the 80’s, I had one, the same color. 1974 model. I put k&n filters on it, bigger jets and raised the ports (we were all doing that to our 2 strokes). I lowered the suspension and put drop handle bars on. That thing flew. I could give an LC350 rider a real surprise. Those were the days!
Wow, I remember buying a perfect 1974 S3 back in 19177 for $400. I rode it around Long Beach CA, no helmet (stupid) and I had never ridden a bike before. Never dropped it or crashed. Fond memories. Now I want an R3.
I owned a 1974 model that I bought in 1977 for $400.00 as a non runner. I put in 3 sets of new points, set the timing on them and ran it for 5 years! Same color as the video bike. That sucker would run! I put the individual little air cleaners on the carbs and the sound that thing made when you wound it up was mesmerizing. The Super Lube system always work well and really did not put out much smoke when adjusted correctly.
I bought a 75 400 while serving in navy over in sicily in 1979. It had been passed down from sailor to sailor and i believe i was 4th owner. Bike had the 2 stroke powerband that pulled like gangbusters but handled very poorly, went straight instead of arou d a left hand curve and ran it into a field. Luckily no harm done except to my pride. Bike ended up getting stolen as i had to park it off base because of no insurance. The good ole days!
These were FUN to ride and I loved the way it would lift the front wheel when it hit the power band . Lack of ground clearance when cornering was the only issue I had when the exhaust ground out or center stand hit lifting the rear wheel..
i had one same year the same color just about gave it away because i was moving and had to remove it from the property still makes me sick to think about it too was all original
my father had one in the 80-90's, he fully restaured it himself and bought it for 200$. yours is very badly adjusted. those bike were very dangerous as the frame is garbage for that size weight and power (about 50/60hp). the brakes were very insufficient too.
