83 KZ 440 belt drive to chain drive transformation

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24 Oct 2010 19:41 #408874 by jkufen
I have an 1983 KZ 440 LTD belt drive and i have been looking around and the drive belt for that thing on the sites i have visited is running bout $150 as where I can get a chain for $50... is it possible to change a beltdrive bike to a chain drive... and lastly is it even logical?? Would it just cost me just as much in the long run??

thanks,
jason

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25 Oct 2010 06:09 - 22 Jan 2013 01:32 #408919 by H1Vindicator
Replied by H1Vindicator on topic 83 KZ 440 belt drive to chain drive transformation

Last edit: 22 Jan 2013 01:32 by H1Vindicator.

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26 Oct 2010 14:36 #409209 by hypnohio
I bought an '82 440 D4 that had been converted from belt to chain and the chain indeed does hit the bracket where the belt guard attaches in the front and is eating into the bracket. There is at least one other person I heard from that has had the same problem. He cut the bracket off and is going with no guard. I'm considering converting back to belt, but mostly because I want to get it back to its original condition. I don't see any way around cutting off the bracket unless you could fabricate some kind of chain guide. I think it's due to the the sprocket being significantly smaller in diameter than the pulley, making the chain lower and closer to the bracket, but that's just a guess. Good luck.

1982 KZ440 LTD
2003 EN500 C
2006 Virago 250

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26 Oct 2010 14:38 #409210 by jkufen
ok well thanks for the advice everyone sounds like its just as simple to just save up the money and buy a belt instead of causing myself more headache.. B)

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26 Oct 2010 17:28 #409241 by JMKZHI
hypnohio wrote:

.... I don't see any way around cutting off the bracket unless you could fabricate some kind of chain guide. I think it's due to the the sprocket being significantly smaller in diameter than the pulley, making the chain lower and closer to the bracket, but that's just a guess. Good luck.

What about getting a swingarm from a 440 chain drive? I bet it would bolt-on.

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27 Oct 2010 03:59 #409365 by hypnohio
As far as I can tell from the Kawasaki site, the swing arm is the same part for both the belt and chain drive. I would be happy to learn differently, however.

1982 KZ440 LTD
2003 EN500 C
2006 Virago 250

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27 Oct 2010 07:07 - 27 Oct 2010 07:56 #409381 by JMKZHI
According to the info at Kawasaki.com, the 440 belt & chain drive models have different part numbers for the swingarm. It seems that they have used the same diagram to illustrate the parts, so you can't simply use your eyeballs to compare the diagrams. It might be a good idea look around at the various KZ440 swingarm photos at ebbaayy. I did & there are differences.

From cross-referencing stuff & knowing that a number of folks have done the conversion, it seems like the swingarm is the most likely problem in regards to the rubbing chain.

PS: assuming the swingarm is causing the fitment problem, then you'll need the chain guard as well.
Last edit: 27 Oct 2010 07:56 by JMKZHI.

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27 Oct 2010 15:31 #409463 by hypnohio
Thanks. checked it out and the two swing arms definitely have different part numbers. It looks like #33001-1121 for an A3(82) or A4(83)should work. I think maybe I'll try doing the swing arm swap before going to belt.

1982 KZ440 LTD
2003 EN500 C
2006 Virago 250

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27 Oct 2010 16:37 #409484 by hypnohio
Thanks. checked it out and the two swing arms definitely have different part numbers. It looks like #33001-1121 for an A3(82) or A4(83)should work. I think maybe I'll try doing the swing arm swap before going to belt.

1982 KZ440 LTD
2003 EN500 C
2006 Virago 250

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16 Jul 2021 05:42 #851844 by 82KZ305Belt
Replied by 82KZ305Belt on topic 83 KZ 440 belt drive to chain drive transformation
Has anyone solved the chain rub dilemma on converted 440s? Every one I find at a reasonable price has a belt drive, and I'm not real keen on converting one only to have it rub or have to run it without a chain guard (which I won't do). But I also have to believe 40 year old belts don't have a great safety profile either...

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