TOPIC:

thanks for the kind words bovine.

imho,
stiffening up any part of these bikes is going to help tighten the handling up .
whether it's a fork brace, stiffer fork legs, stronger swingarm or better tires.
so you can improve each piece as you see fit.
as long as the arms are kept at four inches or less over,most of us mortals are not going to be able to tell a huge difference in hustling these old bikes around a corner.

leon

Leon, Got it... I might bug you some more on this issue, I hate to tap the hard work done by others but hey if it shortens the learning curve, saves my HIDE and keeps me from wasting time and money I 'm all over it. Its been awhile since I've bent one of these in-line fours around a curve, but I can't forget that feeling of, is it going to high side me or is it going to wobble into the on coming lane! Ah, the good old days!
, I'm at the point where I need to decide how much I'm going to do to the frame. Its' bare, and just scremming for me to start working on it. I have a set of tapered stering head bearings, and two stock swing arms. Is there a needle bearing set that fits the inside Dim. of the stock arms pivot bore? Or should I just hunt down the GPZ arm and get it over with? I am going to look any of the treads on this forum that discuss bracing the frame, again I don't want to do something cus' its cool. I do want to work at incressing the frame and running gears abilitys. I know you have plenty of projects etc. to focus on, but I really do apreciate your time!
Rod ...

i know the later models kz 1000 used a needle bearing.
it seems that the needles can be used as an upgrade for the old bushings but you need the needle bearing center bushing which seems to be no longer available.
leon

I'm using the swingarm from a 2000 police bike on my 750 twin. It's got more bracing, needle bearings and all of the consumables are still available from Kawasaki. I paid $30 for it. Just an idea.

80b4, thanks for the input, sounds like an option... how close are these two arms to a kz 650- 750 1980 arms ?? Any idea..?

80B4 wrote: I'm using the swingarm from a 2000 police bike on my 750 twin. It's got more bracing, needle bearings and all of the consumables are still available from Kawasaki. I paid $30 for it. Just an idea.

did you have to narrow the pivot of the cop arm for your twin 80b4?

leon

531blackbanshee wrote: did you have to narrow the pivot of the cop arm for your twin 80b4?

leon

Yes, the outer most bracing at the pivot needed to be trimed and then closed too. The cop arm is slightly longer also.

Bovine wrote: 80b4, thanks for the input, sounds like an option... how close are these two arms to a kz 650- 750 1980 arms ?? Any idea..?

Bovine,

I will measure them tonight and post the info here.

80B4, thanks!! If the arm is close to the stock 650-750 1980 unit in length that would be great. At this point I'm tempted to see if I can have Blackbannshee fab me one up like he has on his trick KZ... Any pics of your twin?

Youll pick up an 1" and change with any of the stock 73-80 style 900/1000 swingarms over the 650,pivot will need to be trimmed a little.

Bovine wrote: 80B4, thanks!! If the arm is close to the stock 650-750 1980 unit in length that would be great. At this point I'm tempted to see if I can have Blackbannshee fab me one up like he has on his trick KZ... Any pics of your twin?

Leon does some nice work! I don't have any photos of the twin yet, but I'll try to post some of the air box I just finshed. Here are some of my KZ1000B4 project and my YZF

Bovine wrote: 80B4, thanks!! If the arm is close to the stock 650-750 1980 unit in length that would be great. At this point I'm tempted to see if I can have Blackbannshee fab me one up like he has on his trick KZ... Any pics of your twin?

Leon does some nice work! I don't have any photos of the twin yet, but I'll try to post some of the air box I just finshed. Here are some of my KZ1000B4 project and my YZF