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identify fork year

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04 Mar 2024 13:58 - 04 Mar 2024 14:15 #895955 by Cra-z1
identify fork year was created by Cra-z1
I need some help to identify these forks. I assume they are off a KZ1000 but not sure which year. I need to replace the fork tubes due to pitting. The damper parts look nothing like anything on partzilla that I can see. The outer tubes do have a wear bushing at the top below the seal.
These are the basic parts.










There are some internal bushings that are captive in the tube
Last edit: 04 Mar 2024 14:15 by Cra-z1.

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04 Mar 2024 14:20 #895956 by Wookie58
Replied by Wookie58 on topic identify fork year
Is re-chroming the tubes not an option ? (approx $180 a pair in the UK to chrome and grind to size)

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04 Mar 2024 15:07 #895960 by Cra-z1
Replied by Cra-z1 on topic identify fork year
It would be an option but cheaper new.

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04 Mar 2024 18:46 #895968 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic identify fork year
I don’t recognize those. I’ve rebuilt several 900/1000 fork up to 1978, those are not anything I have seen. 

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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04 Mar 2024 18:53 - 04 Mar 2024 18:54 #895969 by Cra-z1
Replied by Cra-z1 on topic identify fork year
I think they are from a KZ650b front end. The inner tube length is 23 inches where as the KZ900/1000 are 24. My friend bought these as they were advertised as KZ1000. 
 
Last edit: 04 Mar 2024 18:54 by Cra-z1.

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04 Mar 2024 19:06 #895970 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic identify fork year
Here is every fork I have rebuilt. Z1B through kz1000 A2. The collar on the end of your throws me off. Also the retainer/lock wire on the cone. Sorry it doesn’t help you identify but rules out some models

 

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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05 Mar 2024 03:57 #895979 by asphalt900
Replied by asphalt900 on topic identify fork year
Ditto Mikaw's opinion. Those don't look like any Kayaba KZ fork i've encountered? A better determinate would be a picture of the fork lower, if you have them?

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05 Mar 2024 04:02 #895980 by asphalt900
Replied by asphalt900 on topic identify fork year
I do remember working on a kawasaki that had a press-in bush underneath the fork seal but thinking it might of been a KZ1100, perhaps a Spectre??

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  • hardrockminer
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05 Mar 2024 04:25 #895981 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic identify fork year
Total length of KZ650 forks are the same length as Z1.  But the tubes are different lengths, as are the lowers.  Tubes are the same OD.  

I have some 650 forks in my shop...will check today but those dampers look different than what I remember.  

I had strange dampers in my last Z1B resto.  Jim finally identified them.  They were S&S if memory serves.

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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05 Mar 2024 07:17 - 05 Mar 2024 07:25 #895985 by Cra-z1
Replied by Cra-z1 on topic identify fork year
No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationThat's good info hard rock. I have some KZ900 legs which are on the right and the ones in question are on the left. You can see the KZ900 legs a re a bit shorter. Well checking again they are the same length but the brake mounts are in slightly differant positions. So i'm confused.

Looks like I cant post eBay links



If you take a look at these legs for the KZ650b you will see the lower portion has everything captive in the leg and the length is 23 inches or 582mm. I would use the KZ650B assembly but I was concerned about the 1 inch difference but as Hardrock says the overall length is the same. I think it is within a 1/2 inch or so. But the other factor is the price of the tubes at $200. I also found some legs that are listed for the Z1R, at24 inches for $275. I think the captive bushings is the reason for the price diff. Anyway I bought another set of KZ900 forks and a good price last night and will check for differences. If you look at the partzilla did for the KZ650B you can see that metering disc below the tapered sleeve, however it also shows the piston and circle which are 26 & 27. The fork tubes im looking at have those captive.





www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor.../kz650-b2/front-fork
Last edit: 05 Mar 2024 07:25 by Cra-z1.

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  • gd4now
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  • Denco where did you go?
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05 Mar 2024 10:31 #896001 by gd4now
Replied by gd4now on topic identify fork year
Keep in mind that the forks used on the 750 twins is rather like those on the 650s and 750 4s.

1977 KZ650 B1
Pods and Denco header


OLD KAW OWNERS SMILE ALOT

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  • hardrockminer
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05 Mar 2024 16:17 #896016 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic identify fork year
What are you building Wayne?  I have a set of Z1B forks complete and rebuilt that I have no use for.  I ran them for about a thousand miles so they probably need a light touch up, but otherwise they are as new.

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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