Customized kz 1000

I have a question. Does putting late model suspension on an old kawi actually improve the handling and performance?

Thats a good question, and one that has been debated more than once. The guys that have riden their bikes stock and then added modern suspension report improved handling and braking. There is also the faction that herald the opinion stock suspension and brakes are just as good as modern stuff if serviced/rebuilt and tuned properly.

In theory, modern wheels, brakes and suspension will indeed improve the handling, braking and ride of an old Kaw for various reasons.

Brakes: obviously modern brakes are far far superior to the old stuff.

Suspension: What can I say? Large diameter, inverted forks work better, have much less flex and much less stiction. Late model swingarms way WAY stiffer than the spaghetti arms KZs come stock with and modern shocks work worlds better.

Wheels: You can mount modern rubber, they are stiffer and they share one important thing with the suspension and brakes: Unsprung weight. Reduction in unsprung weight has a huge benefit in handling.

done right yes

done wrong no

Sometimes it doesnt have to be "new",just better.On my KZ I am running a swing arm off a same year GS1000 (rebuilt),and Polce forks off a bit younger KZ (also rebuilt).Bike rides and handles much better than stock and I basically recycled some old parts without a lot of fabrication.Just another alternative.bj (Plus Im cheap).

Why a GS swingarm the same year? My bike is an old cop bike with the bigger forks. What kinds of modifications can I do to them?

GS swing arm is aluminum - much lighter, but not sure how much stiffer.

New oil, bushings and springs will likely make the forks and you very happy. A well made fork brace will help stiffen things up.

i have heard that race tech cartridge emulators make a big difference in older forks for less than two bills.

leon

Plus the GS arm is two inches longer which took the chop out of the KZ ride and lowered the seat height a bit so I could get my feet flat on the ground at stops.I think u will find the cop bike forks are also 38mm (at least mine are).As Texaskz siad,new oil,bushings and seals are likely all u will need to get the forks in good shape-maybe springs if the bike has lots of miles.Thing about those old cop bikes is most of them from big towns were well maintained,bj