another kz1000 chassis question

Hey Folks!

I have a shot at getting either a 77 "A" model or a 78 "Ltd". Both are runners with title and seem to be in reasonable condition. Neither are stock or totally original. Here's the question, and I apologize if this has been dealt with elsewhere!

Are the frames different? Are there any rake/trail differences? I know the bodywork, wheels, bars, etc. are different. I'm curious about the actual frame differences, if any.

Also, what would you suggest as mods to bring out the best handling in either frame! (eg. rear shock type/length, lower front fork, new fork internals, frame bracing, wheel/tire sizes, etc, etc.)

I'm not going racing, just some spirited riding around the hiways and byways of Southern Ontario! :lol:

My own KZ has been extensively modified, but I'm not really interested in doing THAT again! I just thought I'd pick yer brains to see which way I should go when selecting the best starting point for my next project!

Thanks!

I would buy both if the price is readonable. A lot of spare parts will help.

I could sit one of each frame on the floor and have to look at the vin to tell the diffrence.

The battery tray and the brake lever might be diffrent.

I like the lower stance of the LTD. I like the mag wheels. Roy

roy-b-boy-b wrote: I would buy both if the price is reasonable.

Right!! :whistle: THAT'S not gonna happen!

So, you say the frames are the same? Just style and accessory differences?

I have interchanged parts between the two types bikes and never had any trouble except the brake lever. The brake lever on a 79 LTD is even diffrent from a 80 model. The brackets on the battery box are probably diffrent.

I think when they built the first LTD they probably took a A4 model and added the bolt on parts. Roy

Ya Roy, that's kinda what I thought. I road-going set up, they do look different though, don't they?!

How do you have yours set up? Is it basically stock, or have you tweaked the suspension, wheels or anything? I'm a curious guy!

When I bought my bike it was a 1977A1 with mag wheels. The suspension was lowered and the swingarm was extended.

I did install a 1979 engine for the better crankshaft. I also installed the duar front brakes off of a 650. I have used 650 parts a lot through the years.

My bike was totaled in August and I am now building a 1979 mono shock bike. Roy


Bike when I bought it.

I put a gs swingarm with a 140 tire on the rear and had a 18 inch wheel built for the front. It handles much better now.

I had this one up for sale for a while. I finally got around to working on it.
This is an 18" x 5.00" Harley wheel with a 200 series tire. Just piecin it together. Making spacers this is a stainless axle. Might lwer it with solid struts. I like old school drag bike look!
Just love starin at it!

Thanks guys! Those are all cool bikes and thoughtful mods! It seems that dropping down to an 18" front wheel would be a common modification. I'd be up for that! :lol:

Style wise, I'm kinda partial to the "tail-in-the-air" or "ridin' downhill" look. Not a "super radical" look, just a little higher in the back than stock. I'd consider dropping the triples in the forks a little and/or maybe slightly longer rear shocks. Any one done a little of this kinda tweaking on theirs?

I don't wanna seriously quicken the steering and I don't think reducing the ground clearance a lot is a great option.

Thoughts? :blink:

You could do like I did my "79" and cut the frame right behind the rear shock mounts and raise the rear duck tail up. Roy :ohmy:

Ah ha! Roy, that's sorta what we did with my 77!! :laugh: We didn't actually cut it off, just a saw cut or 3, bent it up and welded it back together! :silly:

Makes it a challenge to get the seat pan to fit right though. :blush: