1982 Kawasaki 440 LTD 443cc

Background:
Launched in the late 1970s, the Kawasaki 440 LTD was designed as an accessible, lightweight cruiser with easy-going performance and classic styling. Powered by a 443cc air-cooled parallel twin, the LTD featured a belt final drive, low seat height and a laidback riding position, all of which made it a firm favourite with new riders and seasoned commuters alike. Simple to maintain and pleasant to ride, it became a mainstay in Kawasaki’s early 1980s lineup and remains a fondly remembered machine among enthusiasts.

The Bike:
Offered here is a genuine barn find example, discovered in Coventry where it had been laid up in dry storage for over 20 years. Amazingly it has been in the vendor's ownership for some 35 years having bought the bike in 1990, this Kawasaki has just 28,700 miles showing on the odometer and is believed to have had only two previous keepers from new. UK-registered and supplied originally for the domestic market, it retains its original twin-cylinder engine and appears largely unmodified – a rarity among bikes of this era.

Certainly no show winner with age-related patina throughout. While clearly a restoration project, its completeness and originality offer an excellent base for recommissioning. No paperwork is present, and the V5C logbook is missing, but the bike is UK-registered and is accompanied by two original Kawasaki ignition keys.

The engine turns over and shows no obvious signs of mechanical damage, but given its long term storage, a full restoration or thorough recommissioning is strongly advised before any attempt to run or ride.

Whether you’re looking for a rewarding restoration, an ideal project bike or a donor for parts, this 1982 Kawasaki 440 LTD offers tremendous potential and is becoming increasingly hard to find in such untouched condition.

Location: West Midlands
Seller: Private
Photography: Professional