1980 Z1R

What late model inverted forks will fit this KZ1000 frame with minimal mods? What metric swimg arm would be the best to use to accomidate a 170-180 rear tire with minimal modifications? I was looking at a 2008 GSXR complete front end with a hydraulic clutch, if I purchase the conversion for the motor (slave cylinder)can I run a hydraulic clutch, or is it best to stay with the cable? Thanks all who reply, Phil

Welcome to the site Phil... someone already has developed a hydraulic clutch kit for a KZ... don't recall who sells it but it might be American Classix or whatever their name is... you will have to do a google search for their site and I think the name is spelled funny as in Classix. As for the front end, the forks ain't the issue. The triple tree is because the skinny old KZ forks are going to be 36mm diameter or something like that and the GSXR forks are probably 10mm wider so you you will need to modify their triple tree to fit a KZ neck. Others have done this so that would be the question. To run a 170 or 180 tire, you will need an offset sprocket set up I think. There are plenty of threads to search on that subject. Lots of folks have put those wide tires on a KZ so I suspect you should be able to get some specific info.

I wouldnt ruin the value of a Z1R myself by changing forks but its your bike

mtkawboy wrote:

I wouldnt ruin the value of a Z1R myself by changing forks but its your bike

i let somebody else say it for me!:laugh:

Just what would the value of a Z1R that doesn't run in 80% condition be worth.

if you are not starting with an all original bike,i would change and modify it to suit your taste.
with a stem swap you can make almost any late model frontend fit.try and get the complete front end setup i.e.brakes,wheel,calipers,axle,spacers,nuts,everything.
search the sight for swingarm swaps and frontend swaps it has been done and we have the evidence on here to prove it.:ohmy:
do you have all of the body work for the bike?is the dash complete?what wheels and brakes do you have on the bike now?post some pics of what you got.
80 percent complete prolly worth $1500-2000 depending on which 80 percent you have.

531blackbanshee wrote:

if you are not starting with an all original bike,i would change and modify it to suit your taste.
with a stem swap you can make almost any late model frontend fit.try and get the complete front end setup i.e.brakes,wheel,calipers,axle,spacers,nuts,everything.
search the sight for swingarm swaps and frontend swaps it has been done and we have the evidence on here to prove it.:ohmy:
do you have all of the body work for the bike?is the dash complete?what wheels and brakes do you have on the bike now?post some pics of what you got.
80 percent complete prolly worth $1500-2000 depending on which 80 percent you have.

Heck yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about!

If it ain't all original, it's probably not going to be the gold mine of "Elvis's bike in a barn" that you're hoping for. The $1500-$2000 range was what I was thinking, too. Now that we've decided that it's a motorcycle and motorcycles exist to make man happy :woohoo: ...mod it to your heart's content. Go to the 'Projects' forum and check stuff out.

PS> check out Blackbanshee's avatar...dream, drool, and project your fantasy onto that piece of metal! :evil:

PS2> Respect rendered to previous posters as they are good peeps and know WTF they are talking about

I agree with these guys , if it ain't original or has been modified, I would make the mods. I have a '80 Z1-R, when purchased had a 900cc motor with the frame severly altered for use as an dragbike. I used a '94 zx6 frontend and both sets of rims. The only issue will be the front fair brackets.

My Z1R is complete, when I stated 80% I was talking about it's overall condition. There are no parts missing, and I have a title. Will a GSXR 1000 front end fit?

1shooter wrote:

My Z1R is complete, when I stated 80% I was talking about it's overall condition. There are no parts missing, and I have a title. Will a GSXR 1000 front end fit?

IMO a restored Z1R will be worth more $$$ and respect than a modded Z1R. But If you want to do some modding do not hack the frame in any way. You can change front by fabbing a new steering axle, then you can use doner-bikes triples and fab bracket for fairing, instrument etc. If you change rear swing make adjustements to swing not the frame and use a traditional two shock set-up there. Making a monoshock means big time modding on frame.

In an nutshell store all original parts well and do not cut-rake-strech-slam or what ever the frame and then you can always go back to original. Z1R is a classic so it would be a shame to hack one up. There are bulk-bikes real cheap for hack jobs but a "complete and 80% condition" Z1R is worth a resto. This is how I modded my ELR, all original parts stored in carage, no frame cutting but still USD front, 180 rear tire etc. Just my 0,02€.

i'm pretty much with fin on this.i have custom built my own swingarm and stuck a 200mm tire under it.i done absolutely no frame cutting or modifications.i have two z1r's and this one is the most original one i have.it is also my rider and i wanted to mod it,so i made my swingarm to accept the wheel and tire and not have to modify the frame.custom built a brake pushrod and couple small brackets to bolt my reservoir and master cylinder to.wahla got what i wanted without butchering.my stock parts are stored nicely for later when i build my 78 z1r into the knuckledragger of my dreams,and restore my 80 back to stock.
as far as i know this is the last word in trick a$$ z1r frontend conversion fairing mounts.

i am looking for a frontend to convert the frontend of my 1980 z1r,but not in any hurry.
on this board you can find people to back your play no matter what you decide to do(restore/mod whatever).but you will have to post pictures or you will get more harassment than anything :laugh: .keep us posted.

Oh holy-grail-of-billett-brackets; WTF is that you've got there BlackBanshee????

...oh, and yeah, 1shooter, you gotta post pics.

-KR