77 KZ650C Rear wheel question

I have been a member on here for a while now and have got a lot of great info here in the forum...thanks guys. I have a question about the rear wheel on my 77 KZ650C. It has the stock mag wheel 18" with disc brakes and was wondering if I could swap out for a 16" rim to lower the back end some. I want to be able to just sit and cruise without constantly scooting back in my seat cuz I slide forward lol. Will I have to change the swingarm or anything?

I don't know if this matters but the pic is the bike in question and the exhaust is now the 4 into 2 turnouts. Hope to update the pics soon cuz I have been making her look better.

I would go to kawasaki and verify the part numbers but I believe the swingarms, and axle are the same. Some of the spacers inside are different, but if you can get a full wheel setup you should be able to do it. That is cush drive and everything.

Also, I don't think the 16 is much smaller than the 18 just so you know. I may be willing to trade rims, I would like to go with a taller tire, but not sure if it will fit my rear fender due to the additional height.

The pic in the seat is pitched like a wedge where the back of your butt hits. The solution is really simple; if the current seating position is uncomfortable (and looking at the pic I'm not surprised) get an original seat and dump the one shown in the picture. Not only will you be more comfortable, you won't have to go through the pain of swapping wheels and such PLUS the bike will look 1000 times better. Ed

I'm with Ed, plus 16" wheel just does not look right. If you really want to lower it you could probably do some research and get some shorter rear shocks or another option is getting longer front forks and making a chopper? No never mind. :laugh:

Here's an artist rendition of what the extended forks could do. I left the original for reference.

LMFAO I love that. Well as for the seat my lady likes the king and queen seat and lowering the schocks is pretty much out of the question due to it bottoms out when a passenger is on board. Even with someone only weighing 120 lbs soaking wet. I myself way only 175. I have that 82 550 LTD that I was thinking of trading the wheels from. The rims themselves look exactly the same just smaller.

Hmmmm wonder if I can make the seat off it fit. lol

I've got a set of shocks from a xs1100 Yamaha. They fit the 650, are only 13" instead of 13.5 and are stiff as all get out.

djcody wrote:

...bottoms out when a passenger is on board. Even with someone only weighing 120 lbs soaking wet. I myself way only 175....

Is this with maximum pre-load shock settings?

They may just be shot. With just springs it isn't too unreasonable to bottom out.

They are actually only a year and a half old. I had them on the lowest setting at first but raised to the next to keep from bottoming out. They are the same ones you see on ebay in the blue box for $80. These too are pretty stiff so dont know why it did it.

going to a 16 in. wheel will only lower your seat about 3/4"