are shafties mk11's

are they?

No.

:laugh: There are a lot of diffs. between the shaft and other models. They look the same but the shaft has a totally different frame/swingarm set up. I think the shaft is the only one in 79-80 that came with the leading axle fork (or whatever it's called). I think the closest models for those years were the MKII and the a2a. They look the same but might have slight diffs. in horsepower. The MKII is more expensive but the bikes look identical except badging on the side covers.

Pic of my 80 a2a (stolen and wrecked)


79? shafty


I don't have a pic of a MKII but Tony has one.

im sorry -i meant the crank/engine

I believe the shaft motors can be converted to chain drive and have an extra "rib" in the casting on the bottom end. Every thing else should be the same.

Yes, you can convert shaft cases to chain drive and they do have the extra rib in the casting. Had a conversion set years ago in a dragbike.

I am not sure how you would go about doing this conversion. The bevel gear case sits where the countershaft sprocket case would go. I have heard of folks doing the shaft to chain conversion but it wouldn't be all that simple. I suspect you would start with swapping output shafts.

The shafty engine is pretty much identical to the MK II engine. Both share the 124 link cam chains and the different cam sprockets with the same cylinder head and pistons, etc. The cranks are the same as well I think.

Here is an answer that Jeff Saunders gave me on another forum when I asked about Shaft/Mark II engines.

The 1979 & 1980 KZ1000E shaft drive bikes are Mk II engines. They will have the 16 tooth crank center section (unless someone has pulled the engine apart and replaced it...). The 1980 version will have the heavier ribbing on the crankcases.

The black paint does come off - although it's a very resilient coating. It's cosmetic.