Replacing kz550 mags with kz650 spoked wheels

I have an '83 kz550 a4. I've always liked the look of spoked wheels and an opportunity has just come up where I can pick up some wheels off a seventies kz650 for real cheap, same rim sizes as my mags. I'm wondering if they are a direct swap. Same axles? Would my front brake rotor bolt up to the kz650 front wheel hub and still be in line with my brake caliper on my kz550 fork? Also, would my rear brake drum and sprocket match right up to the kz650 rear wheel hub? Would the chain line be affected?

Thanks in advance!

I believe the swap would be dirrect.
Martin CSR swapped 550 ltd wheels onto his 650 CSR.
Check with him and compare notes.
Also, there's a member on the 650 forum looking for mag wheels, so if you don't end up needing your, he might be interested.

Here's a post on the subject, but I'm sure there was another after this, another member looking for mags:

forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=8756.0

Here's the post, guy looking for mags:

forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=8793.0

www.gearingcommander.com/

< still wondering if the larger wheels will fit on kz750 18" vs 16". don't know why it is probably going to make the bike run worse.

apparently your top speed will be 100.2 mph vs stock which is 107.4 @8500 rpm.
i have a kz550 owners manual around here something if you need me to read anything to you.

rstnick wrote: I believe the swap would be dirrect.
Martin CSR swapped 550 ltd wheels onto his 650 CSR. ....

Yes, not sure about the 70s wheels, though.

Seems like I can't find a definitive answer online. I've found many threads on wheel swaps but none answer by question directly. But thanks for the input guys- much appreciated.

It seems like it would fit. The problem is that the rear wheel hub I'm looking at getting only comes with the core hub laced to the rim. The hub cover that goes on the brake drum side does not come with the wheel, neither does the left side cover that holds the sprocket. So I would need that kz650 hub to be a perfect match with both side hub covers I already have.

I'm thinking maybe I should just take one for the team for the kz community- buy the wheels, try it out and report my findings so the answer will be out there for the next guy.

The rear wheel may fit but you are going to have an issue with the front. The 550 uses a leading axle front fork and the 650 does not. The axle sizes are different.

The Gringo wrote: The rear wheel may fit but you are going to have an issue with the front. The 550 uses a leading axle front fork and the 650 does not. The axle sizes are different.

Damn it. Why is it so easy to overlook the obvious. Thanks for pointing that out. I think I'm just going to bag the whole idea. I like spokes but the only reason I was considering the swap was because I could get the wheels for cheap. If I'm gonna have to start looking at swapping forks and all that, I'm just not that interested.

You might be able to just swap wheel bearings to get the wheel to fit which aint a big deal,brake rotor diameter and offset is what Id be worried about matching up

I am actually considering finding a kz/gpz550 for an extra bike to get around with. I do like the 6 speed thing, also a little better fuel economy and not so much power. although i think the 10 cc's per hp is still a good idea.

Sorry I never saw this. I have a KZ550 rear mag on my 650, its a direct swap. Your 550 drum and sprocket drive will fit the 650 hub directly, all the bearings, axles, etc are the same.

Front I'm not so sure, you might have to swap forks and brakes too.