Aluminum Swingarm 6-8" over

Hello,

This is my first post. I just bought a '76 KZ900 LTD. I have been searching all around google and KZ forums, but cant seem to find anyone selling a 6-8" extended aluminum swingarm.. (for under 1000 dollars anyway).

Is anyone still making these?

Also, my bike is missing the keys. Has anyone ever successfully picked the lock on the gas cap?

Some pics:

Can't help you on the swingarm but any Kawasaki key will open the lock...there are no tumblers inside.

Uhm... Are you ever planning to turn this bike on a ride or is this going to be a drag bike?

Not going to be a drag bike. I just like the way the KZs look with a extended rear. I may not go as long as 6-8", but at least 4 or 5".

Thanks for the tip on the gas cap.

Any aluminum arm is going to cost. At least an aftermarket one anyway. An arm made from chromoly is a bit cheaper. I've even seen them in mild steel. A few places make chromoly arms but not sure of some of the prices. You'd have to call and get a quote. Here are a few places...

www.fastlaneracecars.com

www.fbrshop.com

www.dgchassis.net

Nice 900LTD!
I can cut you a key if you know the key code #.
It will probably be stamped next to the key hole on either the ignition or seat lock.

going much more than 2-3" over tends to take too much weight off a small back tire causing a lack of traction in my experiance anyway,which means youre stuck either going with a really sticky tire or a really wide one to make up for it.

racer54, thanks for the links. I'm sure one of those companies have what I'm looking for.

rstnick, I'll let you know on the key, thanks.

Plummen, something I definately need to consider. I'm new to motorcycles in general. Maybe it will be better just to go with the GS1100 conversion. That is about 2-3" right?

gs arm is 1 1/2-2" depending on who you ask

PLUMMEN wrote:

gs arm is 1 1/2-2" depending on who you ask

Not much for all the effort. I'll probably go 3-4" and jump up to a 160 or 170mm tire.

Awamori wrote:

PLUMMEN wrote:

gs arm is 1 1/2-2" depending on who you ask

Not much for all the effort. I'll probably go 3-4" and jump up to a 160 or 170mm tire.

I used a mid 80s GSXR swing arm on my 1000. It's about 3 inches longer and fits right in between the frame with no mods. You'll need to have a machinist make you some inserts to press into the GSXR inner bearing sleeves to reduce them to fit the stock pivot bolt. Axle diameter is the same but you'll need a longer bolt, either the Gixxer one of call your machinist again like I did. Cut off the single shock mount, weld on some duel shock mounts and Bob's your uncle!

Off course you'll need a longer chain and you have to deal with the rear brake (I modded the gixer one....but don't go there!!).

I run a 150 rear tire on a WM6 (3in) rim and it works great.

a.imageshack.us/img828/7597/dsc00653l.jpg

a.imageshack.us/img525/2719/dsc00652h.jpg

Awamori wrote:

PLUMMEN wrote:

gs arm is 1 1/2-2" depending on who you ask

Not much for all the effort. I'll probably go 3-4" and jump up to a 160 or 170mm tire.

not much effort at all actually,you need to shim about 3/16" on either side of pivot tube and use suzuki shocks.
you can run a 150-160 tire on a gs1100 swingarm pretty easily,wider than that just causes lots of chain alignment problems.
another good thing about the shorter gs1100 arm is the longer your wheelbase gets,the harder it is to get around in tight places