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Front Forks Lower?

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06 Aug 2021 08:48 #853259 by Olbeedo
Front Forks Lower? was created by Olbeedo
So I want to lower the front forks on my 78 KZ1000 LTD build, I was leaning towards grabbing a set of KZ650 tubes and putting in the LTD's lowers then I came across a set of these lowering blocks made for the drag strip. Are they a viable option for the street, or should I use the KZ650 forks orrrrr should I just have the LTD stock tubes cut??? Thanks guys.

OlBeedo- KZ for Life........................

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  • Street Fighter LTD
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06 Aug 2021 10:56 #853264 by Street Fighter LTD
Replied by Street Fighter LTD on topic Front Forks Lower?
How much are you trying to lower the front end ?
I once lowered the front end on my LTD by allowing the  tubes to slid up in the original trees until they contacted the bottom of the handlebars.
On drag bikes a popular way to lower front ride height is to  strap the travel out  by as much as you might want for aerodynamics .
A custom top or new pair of triple trees  can be made or purchased to lower the front end.
But all these things being said , the question of why  has to be asked 
Lowering  decreases  rake and changes steering 
Increases  the chance of fender  hitting  pipes or other hard points
Reduces amount of bike lean before contact in corners
Increases risk of bottoming out bike to ground  ( ruin pipes  on  curbs and potholes and such )
Over the decades I have committed all these sins  , so not  assuming  these issues
Dave


Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn

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  • hardrockminer
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06 Aug 2021 14:38 #853274 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic Front Forks Lower?
650 tubes are shorter, but they have different internals, so you may not be able to match them up with 1000 lowers.  Overall 650 tubes and lowers are the same length as my z1 forks.  You might be able to lower the bike by putting a complete 650 front end on.  Depending on the 650 model they have more trail than a 1000.

If you cut your 1000 tubes you will lose the threads on the end.  Both ends are threaded.

 

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
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01 Sep 2021 20:22 #854709 by usa forever
Replied by usa forever on topic Front Forks Lower?
Check out Partzilla and look up 1978 kz750.
 that would be the twin cylinder model same lowers a front forks hardware and all is the KZ thousand but a little bit shorter I have my my bike in there lower it I'm not sure I can't remember an inch and a half or so you'll see it on Parts Zillow and they use all the complete Hardware's az thousand or 900.
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01 Sep 2021 23:50 - 01 Sep 2021 23:50 #854720 by Kidkawie
Replied by Kidkawie on topic Front Forks Lower?
Use spacers (limiters) to shorten the forks.  Depending how much you lower it you may need to cut the spring because of too much preload.  Then you need to heat/rebend the flat on the cut side of the spring.

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125
Last edit: 01 Sep 2021 23:50 by Kidkawie.

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  • slayer61
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02 Sep 2021 08:25 #854735 by slayer61
Replied by slayer61 on topic Front Forks Lower?

Use spacers (limiters) to shorten the forks.  Depending how much you lower it you may need to cut the spring because of too much preload.  Then you need to heat/rebend the flat on the cut side of the spring.
Like above, there are "top out" springs inside your forks attached to the bottom of the damper rod. Increasing the length of the top out spring, or spacer while decreasing the length of the fork spring will shorten your forks. IIRC, when we were flat track racing, the portion cut off of the fork spring would work fine for the top out spring... but it's been a long time.

Don't be ridiculous! It's only a flesh wound!

[strike]Wife's little bike... 1984 GPZ 550 Kerker and DynaJet stage I kit[/strike]
Wife's BIG bike......[strike] 1981 GPZ 1100 Kerker and [strike]factory FI[/strike] Mikuni RS34s W/ K&N pods[/strike] SOLD

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07 Sep 2021 06:38 #854952 by usa forever
Replied by usa forever on topic Front Forks Lower?
So I was looking on partzilla and found h1 forks tubes should inter change  with 900/1000 . They are 2- 1/4" shorter. Kz 750b twin pre 81, seam to be harder to find ?

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07 Sep 2021 15:00 #854970 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic Front Forks Lower?

So I was looking on partzilla and found h1 forks tubes should inter change  with 900/1000 . They are 2- 1/4" shorter. Kz 750b twin pre 81, seam to be harder to find ?
Where did you find specs on Partzilla? I’m curious. 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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07 Sep 2021 15:11 - 07 Sep 2021 15:13 #854971 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic Front Forks Lower?
.

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
Last edit: 07 Sep 2021 15:13 by TexasKZ.

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13 Sep 2021 17:11 #855236 by usa forever
Replied by usa forever on topic Front Forks Lower?
Your right , I was not clear on that . So sorry folks. 
.  I first saw specs on Z1 enterprises , and then on forks by Frank. 
. It seams like 750 twins are not listed or I wasn't successful finding them. 
If you compare lower leg hardware on early twins they share kz1000 parts . 
I  will take  a set of 750 & 1000 apart and take pics side by side . I have a pair of both.
Be back sooon!
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