Caliper forward or behind forks?

I've noticed numerous bikes with the calipers mounted forward of the forks and was wondering what the proper configuration is? Mine is forward but not sure if the previous owner mounted them wrong. I hope this doesn’t sound like a stupid question.

I think the 77 originally had the calipers in front of the forks, but most people (including me) flip them around to the backside.

all the z's ive ever seen the calipers were behind the forks bro but i could be wrong.
here is a pic i found in kz info and the 77 there in front so there go's my 2 cents lol.



Post edited by: kano, at: 2007/02/06 08:06

Wow, What fast response time. I like the looks of them mounted towards the rear. I just need to remove the wheel and spin the fork around to do it. I just got the frame up and rolling last week and am in the process of mounting the calipers on the front. This bike is like a weekend plumbing project. Every time I turn around it's something new that costs me more money. I hope It turns out to my satisfaction.

Depends on how much of a purist you want to be...Z1 to KZ(Z)1000A1 [inclusive] had disc(s) mounted in front of fork. KZ900B and all KZ1000B (including B1) all had trailing front discs. From KZ(Z)1000A2 on... all had trailing front discs.

depending on the mounting lugs if they are off center spinning the fork 180 wont work if you get me.
you will have to put the left fork in the right side and vice versa to get the offset right.
but if lugs are dead center it wont matter.
but calipers will probably need to be swapped to other sides.

Post edited by: kano, at: 2007/02/06 09:28

Mounting brake calipers behind frt. forks was done to minimise tensile stress and movement of the caliper under braking,the main forces involed push the caliper against the fork legs (telelever/paralever setup).Bottom line;placing the calipers behind the fork legs reduces their moment of inertia pivoting around the steering head axis,as they are closer to the axis.This also helps make steering a bit lighter for quick turns,and to help prevent steering wobbles by keeping more mass inboard.I think bike companys found this valuble when bikes started putting on more weight

Good source for caliper info re: what went where and when, can be found here.....
www.redlinecycle.com/Brake%20-%20Caliper%20I.D..html
Worth a peek....

Up to 1978 all the KZs with single front disc had the cailper mounted in front of the forks. 1978 and up with single calipers had them mounted behind the legs. All dual disc were always mounted behind.

I'm confused. I have a 77 1000 A-1 with duel front calipers. When I got it they were mounted front of the forks.

I also have a 1977 KZ1000A1 with dual disks, both calipers mounted in front. I had to get the little steel brake lines, that go from the caliper to the flex hose replaced. They were rusting out.

I bought the lines directly from Kaw. The parts counter dude said that it was a Kaw option. Kaw kept the dual front mounted calipers similar to the H series. Just made different adapter points for the hard lines, so they came out the tops rather than the side of the caliper.

Apparently after they started making the Z1 they(Kaw or "they" the customers) wanted more braking power, thus the upgrade option.

My couple pennies.

Oznative wrote:

I'm confused. I have a 77 1000 A-1 with duel front calipers. When I got it they were mounted front of the forks.

Thousandkaw is correct...this was an option for North American KZ1000A1's and they are supposed to be fork-leading calipers. European-spec Z1000A1's came standard with dual disks and these discs were mounted as leading:)