Should I preserve my '77 KZ400 or just ride it?

Question

I have a 1977 Kawasaki KZ400, it's my first bike. It's in very good shape for it's age and only has 10K miles (I bought it with 7K). My question is about whether or not I should preserve it for the future or just ride it 'till it dies. I know that it's a pretty rare bike already, and I get compliments on it all the time (since there aren't many UJM style bikes around anymore). It'd be really cool to have a rare bike like this still running in 10 years, but I also don't want to worry about babying my first bike and not having a good time on it. Thoughts?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It will never be valuable or collectible.  No doubt, it will have a special place in your heart as your first bike, but it's never been considered exceptional in any way or particularly desirable.

? · Answer

If it's your only bike ride it. I'd rather ride my bike than look at it. That doesn't mean you can't take care of it and keep it up. Fix it up as you ride it and as it breaks fix it. As long as you do the regular maintenance on it your good.

Anonymous · Answer

Ride the wheels off of it. Keep it nice if you can, but it has no collector value now, nor will  it ever. Sure, a nice one might attract some appreciative comment ten years from now, but that is taking  delayed gratification to extremes.

Jay · Answer

If its a z400 four cylinder keep in good shape,if its a twin it will never be worth a great deal and didn`t have a great rep`.

Shinigami117 · Answer

ride it around! get a parts bike for it.  when it gets tired or worn out, do a restoration. thats what i do.

Anonymous · Answer

what i would do is ride it an restore it at the same time

Jack · Answer

just ride the hell out of the little rice burner.

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Should I preserve my '77 KZ400 or just ride it?

7 Answers