1978 KZ650 Caliper on 1977

Hello,

I am wondering if it's possible to use a front caliper off the 1978 dual disk kz650 on my 1977. Are they interchangeable parts?

Note: I'm not trying to convert to dual disk, I just want to replace a caliper and I have one available from a 1978 but not sure if it's a direct fit. Any thoughts appreciated !

I'm not familiar with your bike parts, but I find going to the Kawasaki parts diagrams pretty useful. You can find the exploded view for your bike. They also have the parts numbers listed below in a little spreadsheet. Try checking the two bike parts for matching parts, if you don't find another knowledgable answer here.

I believe this should get you to your bike on the kawasaki page.

Cheers

I do not know the answer to your question. But in the past I did pull down the part numbers from the Kaw site and what they claimed the different part numbers machines they were used on. Keep in mind there are some known issues with the part info on the kaw site.

B1 43041-030 left hand side
H1-D (1973)
H1-E (1974)
H1-F (1975)
KH400-A3 (1976)
KH400-A4 (1977)
KH400-A5 (1978)
KH500-A8 (1976)
KZ650-B1 (1977)
KZ650-B2 (1978)
KZ650-B2A (1978)
KZ650-B3 (1979)
KZ750-B1 (1976)
KZ750-B2 (1977)
KZ750-B3 (1978)
KZ750-B4 (1979)
KZ900-A4 (1976)
KZ900-A5 (1977)
KZ900-B1 (LTD) (1976)

C1 43041-032 Left hand side
KZ1000-B1 (KZ1000 LTD) (1977)
KZ1000-B2 (KZ1000 LTD) (1978)
KZ1000-C1 (Police 1000) (1978)
KZ1000-C1A (Police 1000) (1978)
KZ650-C1 (Custom) (1977)
KZ650-C2 (Custom) (1978)
KZ650-C3 (Custom) (1979)

C1 43041-1025 right hand side
KZ1000-A3 (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A3A (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A4 (KZ1000) (1980)
KZ1000-B3 (KZ1000 LTD) (1979)
KZ1000-B4 (LTD) (1980)
KZ1000-C2 (Police 1000) (1979)
KZ1000-C3 (Police 1000) (1980)
KZ1000-C4 (Police 1000) (1981)
KZ1000-D3 (Z1R) (1980)
KZ1000-G1 (Classic) (1980)
KZ650-C1 (Custom) (1977)
KZ650-C2 (Custom) (1978)
KZ650-C3 (Custom) (1979)

C1 43041-1004 rear
KZ650-C1 (Custom) (1977)
KZ650-C2 (Custom) (1978)
KZ650-C3 (Custom) (1979)

D1 43041-1010 left hand side
KZ1000-D1 (Z1R) (1978)
KZ650-D1 (SR) (1978)
KZ650-D1A (SR) (1978)
KZ650-D2 (SR) (1979)

D1 43041-1011 right hand side
KZ1000-D1 (Z1R) (1978)
KZ650-D1 (SR) (1978)
KZ650-D1A (SR) (1978)
KZ650-D2 (SR) (1979)

D1 43041-1005 rear
KZ650-D1 (SR) (1978)
KZ650-D1A (SR) (1978)
D2 43041-1023
KZ650-D2 (SR) (1979)

E1 43041-1024 left hand side
KZ1000-A3 (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A3A (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A4 (KZ1000) (1980)
KZ1000-B3 (KZ1000 LTD) (1979)
KZ1000-B4 (LTD) (1980)
KZ1000-C2 (Police 1000) (1979)
KZ1000-C3 (Police 1000) (1980)
KZ1000-C4 (Police 1000) (1981)
KZ1000-D3 (Z1R) (1980)
KZ1000-G1 (Classic) (1980)
KZ400-H1 (1979)
KZ440-A1 (LTD) (1980)
KZ440-A2 (LTD) (1981)
KZ440-A3 (LTD) (1982)
KZ440-D1 (LTD Belt) (1980)
KZ440-D2 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D3 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D4 (LTD Belt) (1982)
KZ650-E1 (LTD) (1980)
KZ650-F1 (1980)
KZ750-G1 (LTD II) (1980)

F1 43041-1024 left hand side
KZ1000-A3 (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A3A (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A4 (KZ1000) (1980)
KZ1000-B3 (KZ1000 LTD) (1979)
KZ1000-B4 (LTD) (1980)
KZ1000-C2 (Police 1000) (1979)
KZ1000-C3 (Police 1000) (1980)
KZ1000-C4 (Police 1000) (1981)
KZ1000-D3 (Z1R) (1980)
KZ1000-G1 (Classic) (1980)
KZ400-H1 (1979)
KZ440-A1 (LTD) (1980)
KZ440-A2 (LTD) (1981)
KZ440-A3 (LTD) (1982)
KZ440-D1 (LTD Belt) (1980)
KZ440-D2 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D3 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D4 (LTD Belt) (1982)
KZ650-E1 (LTD) (1980)
KZ650-F1 (1980)
KZ750-G1 (LTD II) (1980)

H1 43041-1113 left hand side
KZ550-A1 (1980)
KZ550-A2 (1981)
KZ550-A3 (1982)
KZ550-A4 (1983)
KZ550-C1 (LTD) (1980)
KZ550-C2 (LTD) (1981)
KZ550-C3 (LTD) (1982)
KZ550-C4 (LTD) (1983)
KZ550-M1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ650-H1 (CSR) (1981)
KZ650-H2 (CSR) (1982)
KZ650-H3 (CSR) (1983)

Sometimes part numbers are different because of small changes, such as a different paint color. This might not be true in your case, but it can complicate things and is something to watch out for when cross referencing parts.

It would be EXTREMELY helpful if you were to show your bike's exact year and model in your signature line. The answer to your question depends on which model 1977 KZ650 you are working on. If it is a 1977 KZ650-B1, which came with a single front disk brake and wire wheels, the answer is NO. The dual front disk brake rotors are thinner than the single front disk brake rotors. If your bike is a 1977 KZ650-C1 that came with dual front disk brakes and cast wheels the answer is YES. Ed

Thanks, I updated my signature. Yes looks like it's mounted differently than the one I was looking to purchase. My bike has the caliper fitted 'in-front' of the forks. But the '78 model calipers I was looking at was fitted to the rear. I won't be trying them. Thanks for the help!

Just for future reference. Go to Partzilla.com. Navigate thru make, year, model. Then find the parts breakdown you need... in the exploded view it will give you factory part number. Click on the part number in the listing and when the new page open scroll down and on the rh side will be a cross reference for others years that use the same part...

www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/43041...d334e49402ad55e5d01d