1978 KZ1000 a2 swingarm swap

Hi Guys

New to the forum, based in Dubai in the Middle East. I have a small collection of Kawasakis and recently bought a 78 KZ1000 A2. The bike is in very average condition, repainted a modern Kawasaki green so not really a project for original restoration. I have a complete front end, from an 02 hayabusa which I see no hassles in getting fitted, my question is about the Hayabusa swingarm setup that I would like to mount( also from an 02 Busa). I have searched the forums and found it done with a shaft drive conversion but not from a standard chain drive frame. Can anyone advise if they have seen it done and point me in the direction of a thread on it.

It is my aim to keep the dual shock, I have weld on tabs on the way for that. I have access to a 98 gsxf rear assembly but really want a 180 on the back for its looks. I am only choosing the Busa bits as I have them already, got them from a guy who didn't understand that it was bad for his bike to hold it at rev limiter and after 3 motor rebuilds (completely clueless) he decided the bike was not worth repairing.

Figured out how to Add a pic of the bike

here is a quote from kzr member rslingshot.

"the reason I did the busa arm is because they fit the kz frame with nothing more than some pivot bolt reducer bushings. Pretty much all of the early model gsx-r's and all of the busa arms even the second gen busa fit the kz frames with just a simple bushing set up. It is a little more work with other late model sportbike arms."


welcome.
hth,

leon

Thanks Leon

That helps me a lot, I feel better now tearing apart the bike with a good chance of getting what I want out of it.

I am going to track the build on this thread, will post pictures and be asking for help along the way.

Paul

we are here for you paul.

keep us posted,

leon

Hi Guys

It's been slow, work commitments keeping me out of the workshop.

I need advice, I have the Busa front end on the bike now, its from

a 99 which still has the biggest ugliest mudguard I have ever seen attached, any ideas for a mudguard for the front? My cutting and fibreglass or carbon skills are non existent .

I will build up the entire bike, get a few miles on it to be sure everything works well and then strip for painting and polishing as the last step.

maybe a front fender from a ducati sport classic?



might be a fairly straightforward mod.

or some similiar type of tubular brackets.



leon

Thanks Leon

That red Ducati front mudguard design would be perfect, will toy with some ideas along that design.

Those spoked wheels are also beautiful, don't think I can justify the money to my wife tho!

I just bought the Mikuni RS34s and a full dyna 2000 ignition which I know she will punish me for later!

it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission :evil: !

leon

Welcome. nice bike...the good thing about the 'Busa fender is that there is so much of it you can make it into anything. You can use electrical tape to mask off shapes till you find something you like and have someone cut it if you are really not able to yourself. Might be fun to try using a dremmel tool. Nice thing about electrical tape is it bends easily, fits around curved shapes well, comes in different colors and you can reposition it a lot of times till you get what you want.

Thanks Bluezbike

I am sure I could manage the cutting of the Busa fender, its jut not something I have done before but by butchering some of the far edges to downsize it I can effectively practice so will give it a go.

This is my z1000j 81 model and I was thinking to try design something similar but I think the slightly chunkier result I may get from the Busa fender may go better with the thicker upside down forks.

abrasive wheels on die grinder/dremels work well for cutting plastic then you can trim the edges with a sharp knife and sand the edges smooth.
goes pretty well.
show us the pics :laugh: .

leon