Modifying a KZ650 rear end

Leon,

What had to get massaged on the rear end to make everything line up? Like you were suggesting earlier, I really don't mind if my front-rear wheels are offset a bit, as long as I can ride it.

Thanks,

Devin

devin,

the counter shaft sprocket is on the engine,those can be offset.you may or may not depending on what you use,have to machine the cush drive(which is what carries the rear sprocket).

i custom built my own swingarm(to house the wheel and brakes from a 2000 r1),offset counter shaft sprocket and run a 520 o-ring chain.

besides for that, :whistle:

it was a bolt up deal :silly: .

no frame mods tho.
i have long term plans of putting the 80 back stock and turning one of my other 1978 z1r's into what this one has become,kinda deal.

leon

Leon,

I looked into the "countershaft" term last night and found out it's just the front drive sprocket- just hadn't heard the term before

I may do the cush drive offset to save my frame. The other thing I was thinking about it offsetting the swingarm slightly, but that's probably not the best idea for my frame. Either way, I'm sure a cush drive offset and sprocket offset will make my alignment happy

Thanks for the tips!

Devin

Sprockets should be perfectly aligned with each other in the identical geometric plane.


The wheels should be aligned whereby both wheels point in the exact same direction.
However, it's not necessary that the center-line of the rear tire thread track over the center-line of the front tire thread.
Several new motorcycle models, especially those with fat rear tires, do not have tire center-lines in the same geometric plane.


Good Fortune!

Patton:

Thanks for the visual. I'll probably end up offsetting my wheel and running an offset sprocket up front to save my frame.

I just got all my parts in today- looks like I'll have some machining to do on the swingarm, but I'll be able to get things to work I'll start a build thread when everything is up and going.

Devin

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

I'm planning on something similar, hopefully starting in a few weeks.

Well, it's looking like the front end is going to get done this winter too. I have a set of forks and wheel off a 2001 Buell Lightning that I got for pretty cheap off a friend (and good machinist) that will be put on the bike. Only down side to this set up is that I can only run one disc up front as these bikes only ran a right side caliper (unless I make up an adapter that can house another right side caliper).

Once everything is underway, pictures and a build thread will be up.

Devin

dont be afraid to offset the swingarm too. anything goes with these builds.

Hey Mark,

I'm thinking I may have to offset my swingarm as the rim holds quite the chunk of rubber I'm looking forward to the build of my "new" old Kaw. She'll be kind of a Frankenstein when it's all done

Devin

Yes they do. u can run a 190 on that 5.5 rim. u just have to figure out how to squeeze everything in there. i have a feeling that u r the kind of guy that is good with a shoe horn though. lol
Good luck with the build and most of all , Have fun with it.

Haha I sure am I have two really skilled machinists working with me too, so fabbing parts/machining/shaving parts down will be no issue. Just a matter of "how will this work" and "what needs to happen next" in this case.

I absolutely will have fun with this one- I LOVE doing custom work like this

Devin

Can wait to see it all unfold. or should i say cut and weld.
i'll see if i can post a few builds for u to look at as inspiration.

i'll be right back. lol

here u go.
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/390747-1977-kz1000-new-life

kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/539557-76-kz900-zrx1200r-build

kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/454601-1980-project

kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/481447-78-...0-build-im-learnding