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Interested in 70's motorcycles, afraid Im to short??

I want to buy a motorcycle and I really like the look of the 1977 kawasaki kz400, or really anything with that body style. I am only 5'1 and am a little unsure if it will be to tall or to big for me, to handle. I havent rode in over 15 years and really want to start back. Any info about this bike or others with similar body style would be great.

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Jan 15, 2013

I'm 5 2 and have a Moto Guzzi V7
by: Anonymous

With my boots and a slightly shaved seat it works.It has the look of the 70's bikes, its light and easy to handle.

Nov 16, 2012

1970's bikes
by: Judy

I'm a big fan of '70's bikes because that's the era I grew up in. I currently own several '70's bikes, and the majority are Yamaha "RD" models...RD350, RD400, which are 2 cylinder, 2-stroke engines.

The length of your inseam is more important than your actual height; that helps determine, with the individual bike's seat heat, whether or not you will be able to have one or both feet sit flat on the ground at a stop.

Many of the smaller bore ( <500cc) bikes of that era have fairly low seat heights; the 2-stroke RDs also are fairly light and much less complicated, maintenance-wise, than a model like the 4-stroke Kawasaki KZ models. The main difference in these engine types are 2-strokes don't have camshafts or valves, so to service the "top end" (cylinders and pistons) there's very little to deal with.

Anytime you contemplate buying something that old, you should count on the very real possibility of several maintenance issues coming up, either initially or very soon after purchase.

Unless you know for a fact the particular bike has just had a total, comprehensive and complete MECHANICAL restoration, you need to count on the fact it will need some work. The most common things to look for on a bike that old would be (besides carburetor issues) is any type of rubber part being old, no longer pliable, cracked, etc.

If you would like to discuss vintage bikes on a much more comprehensive basis, feel free to email me at Quicklimegirl@hotmail.com. I believe I can offer a level of knowledge (at least about the 2-strokes) that most cannot. I have also owned a couple of Kawasaki KZs and again, currently own a variety of vintage bikes from '66 through '85, although most of them are the Yamaha RD models from '74 through '79.

Please feel free to email me if you'd like.

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