Converting to dual front brakes on '79 KZ750?

Reviving an old thread...

I'm considering this for my '79 KZ750 too. Figure it might make a fun little winter project.

I've got two questions to start.

1) Do I need to upgrade my master cylinder? My front master cylinder is listed as the same part used on a bunch of bikes including: KZ1000-A1 (KZ1000) (1977), KZ1000-A2 (KZ1000) (1978), and KZ1000-A2A (KZ1000) (1978). Were those dual disc and if so does that mean I don't need to replace my master cylinder?

2) How interchangable are the calipers from different year/models? Sounds like Steel has swapped a couple around ending up with some from a GPZ, so I'm guessing just about any old Kaw calipers will fit the front forks?

The KZ1000's you listed have a single disk front brake. The MC on the dual disk bikes has a different diameter bore than single disk bikes, so you would need to change the MC for proper operation. Ed

Thanks Ed. So is there an easy way for me to look up which KZs had dual front discs? I'm probably going to need to piece together parts and I want to make sure I get the right stuff.

Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to easily identify all KZ's with dual front disks. I do know that all KZ650-C (1977-79) and KZ650-D (1978-79) models came with dual front disks. The 1977 KZ650-C1 came with a round master cylinder, the other KZ650-C & D models had trapezoidal MC's. I don't know if the calipers are compatible with KZ750 forks. Ed

Thanks Ed. Anybody else know how interchangeable the front calipers are? Was the spacing on the forks pretty standard across models or are they all different?

Other related threads:

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/387299-s...t=20&start=20#387536

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/205843-l...t=20&start=20#226182

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/203800-f...d-replacement#204320

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/33895-du...-on-a-750-twin#33913

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/17871-du...is-it-worth-it#17980

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/17871-du...is-it-worth-it#17904

Good Fortune!

I can't say about other calipers, but the spacing on my KZ650-C1 is a bit under 3 inches (see pic). Ed

I believe all the kz 1000 ltds had dual disk front. I know my 1980 kz 1000 b4 ltd comes with dual disk front brakes.

As far as disk rotors go, 78-80 KZ1000 only, the KZ650 are smaller (79 KZ650SR anyway, not positive about others). 1980 up four cylinder bikes used a different disk mounting and won't interchange.

Lots of Kawasaki brake calipers will work, just don't get any with pistons on both sides, they won't clear the stock wheel.

KZ750E forks are the same diameter as the KZ750B/G, so they will fit in the triple clamps, but I don't know if the center to center of the tubes spacing is the same.

I have a 750E front end in my storage shed, but I have surgery tomorrow and I'd forget to measure them anyway.