Kawasaki KZ400 "The Italian Stallion"
There was something special about this bike. A Kawasaki KZ400 that came in for a rear end rebuild and a full health check. The build was rough, the bike couldn’t start and a lot of things didn’t work as they should. It would be time consuming and cost a fair amount of money to get it running and ready for plates. But when i thought it through, I was reminded of something important. I was reminded of why I started Former Glory.
The bike belongs to an Italian gentleman with a deep emotional connection to it. Built in Italy and originally registered in Sicily, it still bears its antique plates and a strong sense of heritage. It isn’t easy finding someone willing or able to take on this kind of work, especially not in little Denmark. But that’s exactly what Former Glory was built for.
This bike has soul. And even though fixing it wasn’t necessarily the most economical choice, this wasn’t about resale value, or whether buying another bike would’ve been cheaper or faster. For the owner, none of that mattered. What mattered was this: His bike, getting it back on the road, restored and re-registered to ride in Denmark.
That kind of mindset is rare, and it’s exactly what fuels our work and my passion. The connection between man and machine, the nostalgia, the story, the romance. Even when it’s a long, time-consuming job, it’s the craftsmanship, the love, and the attention to detail that’s gonna keep this bike on the road and preserve its legacy and the original builder’s vision for many years to come. That’s beautiful!
Sometimes, you have to stop chasing the fastest route to a destination. Even though the highways prioritize speed and efficiency, backroads offer a richer, more connected experience. (Quoted from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)
Exactly like this unique Motorcycle!
Carb Rebuild
Step one: was to get the bike to start again. A carb rebuild, ultrasonic cleaning and adjustment made it start and idle again.
Service
Step two: was to get it running smooth. After a valve adjustment, ignition adjustment and oil and filter change, it started and ran smooth. one exhaust valve was waaaay out of tune
Re-Designing the rear end and exhausts
Step three: i drew a new design of the back end of the chassis (loop/hoop) and travers. and got some exhausts under the legal noise limit. This was a necessity to be able to get an approval and register the bike and its modifications legally in Denmark
Getting quality materials
Step four: was to get the materials needed for welding the new rear end together. New bended tube with the right diameter to match the rest of the chassis and some sturdy sheet metal for making the travers
Welding and customizing
Step five: welding all the components carefully together grinding, sanding and painting for a strong and seamless finish all over
Final touches
Step six: was all the small extra details. i made a little rubber mudguard to protect the electronics, a new seal for the fuel tank and some modifications to the existing chain guard





