Trying to teach my girlfriend to ride this motercycle and wanted to show her the shifting pattern for this bike (1981 Kawasaki Z440 LTD )before I put her on it.

Hey Norman,
get this manual, it will have info YOU NEED...
Kawasaki KZ400 Z440 EN450 500 74 95 by Penton Staff Paperback 2000 from...

There is a lot going on between pressing the starter button and the engine starting. Get yourself a Service Manual and look at the wiring and components in the ignition system. Your motorcycle should be a Kawasaki rather then the Yamaha category you put it in. Details matter, I'll move it and edit the question to reflect.

https://www.google.com/search?q=988+kawasaki+750+ltd+service+manual

..

Should be 2240rpm = 60mph. This is pretty standard across most Japanese bikes. Pretty well any speedo will work, if it has the right fitting. I used a 1973 TS185 speedo on my GSX750 until I could get a new cluster!

Hello and thanks for the question.
Keep in mind that Kawasaki has a lock out in the transmission that will not let the bike into second gear unless the bike is moving at least 15-20 mph. It will not shift into second gear while the bike is sitting still. If the bike is moving at that speed the lock out becomes inoperative. If you are riding the bike and it does not shift, you have a problem with the shift mechanism or in the transmission itself.

The shift mechanism is serviceable by removing the clutch assembly. The transmission requires major engine dissasembly and should be performed by a qualified technician.

Thanks and I hope that this helps,
Steve

www.kzrider.com
good website for these bikes should find a schematic on there..

www.z1enterprises.com

good for parts also

Your owners manual will help if you have one. There used to be drain plugs under each fork. The air valves help suspension smoothen the rides more.

www.kzrider.com
great site for these kz bikes ,,

make sure it has the proper grade of gas. and make sure the petcock isn't plugged, they have a filter attached to it inside the tank. pretty much make sure its getting enough fuel

Hi,
I would more than happy to help you with this. I think what you are doing is great!!!
I have the manual for 440, and I can scan the 2 pages you will need and e mail them to you if you wish. Otherwise, I can give you step by step directions.
My e mail is [email protected] or you can call me at
218-330-1556
Dave