wheel interchange question

i finally have my 1977 kz650b running decent and i have really been enjoying it. she needs tires.... so i figure:

why not get a set of mags to replace my wire wheels? (till i get tired of mags and want spokes again):dry:

they seem pretty inexpensive on ebay, but i don't know what fits. i have a drum in the rear, although i wouldnt be opposed to upgrading. help!





cheers!
david

I may be wrong but I believe that a mag to wire wheel swap is a direct bolt on. If you go rear disc you will have to swap out swingarms and need to have rear resivouar bracket welded to frame. Let us know...

Without knowing for sure, I would guess that the 1980 KZ650-E1-Ltd would be the easiest - it has the single disk front brake & rear drum. You can cross-reference the diagrams at Kawasaki.com to compare parts. I did a simple check for the rear axle & it is the same as on your bike. For the front, try to find out if the disk & caliper will line up.

Diagrams note: I find it easiest to do the Search-by-Model-Info without entering a vin or anything - just pick a year only, then choose a bike from the list. Also, it saves time if you right click & open the bike in a new window - the Kaw diagrams can be unwieldy.

I think a 1980-83 KZ550A rear wheel would be a direct swap. Both the 650 and 550 use the same brake pads and axle, so by all odds it should bolt up like factory. The KZ550 uses a different axle in the front than a 650 so it may or may not work just by swapping the 650 axle over, otherwise a KZ650C or D front should bolt up. Advantage of the KZ550 wheel over a LTD is you stay 18". Going 16 is just wrong.

Ron is correct: the 650-Ltd has the 16" rear wheel.
The 550-Standard models have the 18" Rr.

The KZ550 wheels are a direct bolt-on to the 81-83 KZ650-CSRs which don't have much in common with the 70s models.

An 1980 650F1 has a 18 drum brake mag also. Going to a 16" is wrong.

Mark