ZX11 forks on KZ750?

I just re-purchased a KZ that I sold to a friend's dad a few years back. Shortly after I sold it to him, he lent it out, it got crashed, and it's been sitting ever since. He wanted to get rid of it, so I gave him $100 for the wreck. It needs a headlight housing, tank, gauges, shocks, etc. and the forks may or may not be tweaked. I was going to cut it down for a flat-tracker, but I got sentimental and I decided to see if I could put it back on the street instead, maybe with a street tracker look. Also, I've got a pair of '92ish ZX11s that were given to me, but they're really parts bikes with no hope of being reassembled.

I was wondering if I could put a set of ZX-11 forks on my old '84 KZ750 LTD belt drive? What would be involved in the conversion? I was thinking of trying to keep the old school KZ cast wheel on the front just so the front and rear wheels matched. Any ideas?

maybe a bearing and stem swap. what are you doing with the zx-11 rear suspension?

I figured on swapping the stem and triples to keep it simple, but I don't know how to retain my '84 cast rim and bolt up the 92 rotors. I thought about swapping the rear suspension from the ZX11 as well, so I could use both new style rims, but I read a guide posted here and I think a mono shock conversion is beyond my skill level.

If a mono-shock conversion is beyond your skill level, then making the KZ wheel fit in the ZX-11 forks, along with KZ rotors on a ZX wheel, and what for brakes(?) ... sounds like a lot to me. The simpler conversion is to make the ZX-11 triple fit into your KZ and then you'll have a more current front end that's designed to work. (just my opinion)

Did you say an '84 KZ750 LTD "belt drive"???:dry: I didn't know that Kawasaki made a belt-drive 750. Is that a US bike?

Post edited by: Bad Kaw, at: 2008/01/15 18:54

I wanted to use the ZX-11 rotors and calipers, bolted onto the ZX-11 forks, in the ZX-11 triples if that simplifies things. The only KZ part I wanted on the front end is the cast rim, just for that classic look because I think a set of nice spoke rims would cost too much.

I have no idea where the bike is from, but I'm pretty sure it is a 1984 and it's definitely belt drive. The guy who sold it to me the first time said it was a LTD.

84 KZ750 Belt.

AKA Canada only model 750 twin.

I knew they were available in Canada in 84, although 83 was the last year for the 750 twin in the US, but I believe this is the first time that someone that actually owned one posted.


That's my guess anyway, the VIN number or a pic would help.

Post edited by: steell, at: 2008/01/15 20:37

I have a poor quality digital photo from when I first got the bike here.

It's in a lot worse shape now, but I think it's fixable.

The VIN is JKAKZDK18EA0*****

After looking at the two rims, I can't see any way to keep the KZ cast rim and mount dual discs. The easiest route appears to be swapping the whole ZX-11 front end.

I did some research on steering bearing sizes and got the following info:

KZ Upper bearing:48x30x14
ZX Upper bearing:52x28x16

KZ Lower bearing:52x30x17
ZX Lower bearing:55x30x17

From what I gather, this means that the stock KZ lower bearing will work fine, since the ZX and KZ lower stem diameters and depths are identical. I'm a little confused on what to buy for the top bearing. I think I need a 48x28x??. What depth should I get, 14 or 17? And how will the upper part of the triple work if the ZX stem is longer or shorter than the KZ stem?

Also, if I change the front rim, I want to change the rear rim, and I have no idea how to do this while retaining my belt drive.

Post edited by: robbinst, at: 2008/01/15 21:08

What seems to be the easiest way of doing this swap is to find a machinist, hopefully a friend. Then have them pres both steering stems out of the lower triples. I believe people have mentioned that the stems have a bead of weld on the bottom that must be ground off before you attempt to press them out.

Then the machinist can use the donor stem,to cut up and turn down into a bushing for your KZ stem. Finally he will put the KZ stem into the bushing (that was once the donor bikes stem), then weld them both back into the donor lower triple.


Now you will have zx11 forks with the correct size and correct fit KZ stem.

I don't think it will be all that hard, and probably not that expensive either.

IMO, it's a bit of too much upgrade.
I have a ZX11 front end on my Z1 project; forks are 43mm. It just seems an 11 front end would be too big, ie too stiff, especially on a twin.
Just my opinion though. God knows I'm no expert.:laugh:

if youre near ks i have a semi complete parts bike you need

btchalice wrote:

if youre near ks i have a semi complete parts bike you need

I'm up here in Calgary Alberta, but thanks anyways.

inline4 wrote:

IMO, it's a bit of too much upgrade.
I have a ZX11 front end on my Z1 project; forks are 43mm. It just seems an 11 front end would be too big, ie too stiff, especially on a twin.
Just my opinion though. God knows I'm no expert.:laugh:

The specs I can find on the Internet indicate that the KZ750 twin is around 455lbs and the ZZR1100C is 502lbs. That's a difference of 47 lbs. I'm a heavy rider, around 275lbs so I think the spring rate should be appropriate. I've never done this before though so I'm not 100% sure.