FJ1100 swingarm on a KZ1000

I recently acquired a swingarm from a Yamaha FJ1100.

A quick inspection showed that it might work on my KZ1000.
I currently have a GS1100 swingarm, but am still limited on tire size with it.

The FJ will accept a much bigger tire, and is about the same length as the GS unit.

The axle diameter is the same size, but the swingarm is 3/8" too wide to fit into the KZ frame.

I had a machine shop narrow it, and bought the appropriate swingarm bearings from a local bearing house.

This had a monoshock originally, but I just added shock mounts just forward of the axle. (Heliarc).
I also had to add a bracket for the brake torque link.

This is a much better swap than the GS one, if you want a big tire.

How about some pics?? THis sounds like a great swap but i think the GS swingarm swap is easier for a number of reasons for a lot of people. First, no frame mod. Second, no swingarm mod except a few washers. Lastly, it will take upto a 5.5 inch rim which can carry a 170 tire. You really can go more than a 180 since you will not clear the chain even if offset. I know this since i am running a 180/55/17 on my kz1000 and have about 1/16 of space between the tire and chain & chain and frame.

galaxian wrote:

How about some pics?? THis sounds like a great swap but i think the GS swingarm swap is easier for a number of reasons for a lot of people. First, no frame mod. Second, no swingarm mod except a few washers. Lastly, it will take upto a 5.5 inch rim which can carry a 170 tire. You really can go more than a 180 since you will not clear the chain even if offset. I know this since i am running a 180/55/17 on my kz1000 and have about 1/16 of space between the tire and chain & chain and frame.

I'm running a 5.5 rim with a 190 on on my kz,little milling of the rear hub and 3/8 offset sprocket and it all clears with plenty of room

Forgot to mention,set up for a 530 chain..

Gotcha!! Unfortunatly i am running a 6" rim with no room to spare. Don't you think a 190 width is a bit much for a 5.5 rim? Does it look ok?

galaxian wrote:

Gotcha!! Unfortunatly i am running a 6" rim with no room to spare. Don't you think a 190 width is a bit much for a 5.5 rim? Does it look ok?

Check out my project I have going here "project ZZRMKII". tons of pics from the start.I'm running a zrx1200 rear wheel and they came stock with a 180 so 190 isn't really that much more plus it's in a zrx1100 swinger ..

I just did some research looking for tires for my 4.5" rim, and 4.5" is the minimum recommended width for a 170 tire. So it seems to me that a 190 tire ought to work on a rim 1" wider. I'll do a quick check though.

According to Bridgestone, 5.5" is the minimum recommended rim width for a 190 tire, a 200 requires a minimum 6" wide rim.

I'm a firm believer in adhering to the manufacturers rim width specs

There are no frame mods needed.
I guess I was not clear, sorry.

I had a machine shop mill the swingarm for $20.

I will get pix and post them.

Looking forward to the pics!
-KR