Where to find KZ550 Forks

Continuing with my restoration, i'm needing to change my front forks, but i can't find ones in good condition that fits on my front rim (i have the model that comes with the rotors with support and the old calipers). I've tried eBAY with no luck
Anybody knows a junkyard or some internet site where i can find this?

Best Regards,
Flavio.

Hi Flavio.
Are your forks 36 mm ?
Other kawa models had this size.
I think... the 650's had that size. Maybe some 750's ?
Have a look on kawasaki.com
Then have a look on ebay.
Try to get new or newish or the seals get ripped up.

Best Regards.

Yes, there are 36mm, but the ends (where goes the axle and calipers) are different in all the models, that's the problem

This is the fork type that i need (see that the upper caliper support is bigger):

This is the fork type that i found in eBAY and all sites:

Hi Flavio.
I just checked my forks and they're what you're looking for. Same calliper mounts.
Your bike was originaly a 500? You may need to find another one for forks:(

Exactly, My Bike is a KZ500-B1 and that are the forks i need .
I've seen a Canadian KZ550 that comes with that type of forks also.
I've found this ones on eBAY, but are damaged

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-80-83-K...fPartsQ5fAccessories

I'll have to wait

Thanks for the info!!

Regards,
Flavio.

This is very important. I found out the hard way. Not all 500/550 forks that look the same are the same. Some have a slightly different measurement from the axle to the caliper mount. Some wheels had larger disks, so the caliper mount is slightly farther away from the axle than on the others.

The bikes that had dual disks use forks with a shorter caliper-to-axle distance. That's because the dual-disk models used smaller disks.

The bikes that had single disks still came with forks with dual caliper mounts, but the caliper-to-axle distance was larger.

You can't swap the two types because the brake pads won't line up on the disks, or the disk will not allow the caliper to mount.

That is relative..
This is a friend's Z500 that comes originally with two discs, and old fork/caliper with big discs.
This it's very strange...

Hi Flaviote.
I'll bet those discs in the photo are 295mm.
They should be 277.
Not original.

Depends on the year and location. Once again, be careful, there are a slew of different brake diameters for the 400/500/550 line.

According to the Kawasaki Factory service manual:
In 1979, the 500B1 for Europe and Australia had dual front disks. They were 232mm.
Everywhere else got single disk. It was 250mm.
1980 was same.

(Rear disk was 237mm for both bikes, which is in-between for comparison.)

As I said, the forks have holders for calipers on both sides even if the bike only came with one brake. But the forks will be different from dual disk models.

In 1980 there is a 400 model:
UK and West germany got dual disk 232mm.
Japan and elsewhere was single disk 250mm.

1980 550A models:
European got dual disk 232mm.
Elsewhere single 250mm.

1980 550C model:
European got dual disk 226mm.
Elsewhere single 236mm.

1981 500B3:
Now all have dual disk 226mm.
Rear is 226mm.

1981 400J2
UK and West German dual disk 226mm
Elsewhere single 236mm

1981 550A2 same as 400J2
1981 550C2 same as 400J2
1981 550B2 same as 500B3
1981 550D1 same as 500B3

The forks use different amounts of oil too.

I don't know what models you would have gotten in Uruguay. Are they the U.S. models? Or were there South American models?

Sorry for the delay in the response.
Thanks loudhvx for all that informations.
Seems that you know a "bit" of the KZ models and specs!
I didn't know that there was so many sizes of disc, i'll measure mine.
Here, in South America, we got the European versions of the KZ's (they have the Z logos, and the KM/H speedos).
We got some US models, but are a very little percentage.
I hope to find something (like the ones that i found on eBay, but in good condition).
Did you know any junkyard that i can call?
Thanks again for all that information

Regards,
Flavio.

im parting out a 85 kz 550 that im parting out that is in pretty good shape I have forks wheel rotor and caliber that may work that I will sell pretty cheap but I think the shipping might be more than there worth let me know and ill give contact info or will post on ebay

I have pictures I can send but i could not figure out how to post them here i can email them if you want