1978 KZ1000 a2 swingarm swap

I made a bit of progress withe the fender until the carbon brushes on my Dremel decided it was time to die. Decided to have a look at the swingarm and am very happy with the progress. Here in Dubai simple things like carbon brushes have to be ordered from e-bay and take some time.

I decided I did not want to do a mono shock conversion so hacked up the hayabusa swingarm a bit to make the mount simpler. I know it is not going to be to everyone's liking but I think I will like the outcome of the straight swingarm. I still need to remove some tabs from the frame but was just looking at how things would go together for now.

paulb450,
we have a member (rslingshot) who has done a real nice write up about using a busa arm with the upper bracing cut off.
then he welds on a round tube under brace and uses them for kz applications.

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/488169-s...arm-extention-basics

yours should work out just fine.

keep us posted,

leon

Thanks Leon

I really appreciate that, it's nice to know I am going in the right direction. I am not going to do any bracing underneath the swingarm at this stage, the bike will not be dragged or ridden particularly hard, I don't see the swingarm being unbraced causing any major issues. It will not be extended at all.

I am surprised and grateful to have found how helpful this forum is, it's really nice to have people willing to take their time to assist a stranger living half way across the world.

Cheers

As long as you continue the build KZs you will always have friends here. Nice build. The 81 is very nice. Do you have a picture of all of your bikes?

the busa arm even with no under brace is much stronger than a factory arm.

it should be plenty strong for a stout street bike.

leon

Happy days, my KZR package arrived with the courier today.

Made some progress with the front fender and did some welding on the swingarm... Pics will follow.

duc fender is an easy one to adapt

Thanks Rich67' beautiful looking bike you have posted,

I have a few pics to share of some progress.

Tyre is still an old 190 which I will get rid of for a 180 wide




The tail piece has dropped to low for this mocked up picture, i am thinking to shorten it anyways

Seeing the pics I posted below has made me realise I am going to be really unhappy with the seat setup. I am 6ft3 so I need to keep a fairly solid "chunky" seat so I don't feel like the bike is too little under me.

My last ( and first ) build I did was an xr600 cafe conversion and I sold the bike after as I was simply just to big to ride it.

That XR looks really good....any more pics?. Now I can't wait to see what you come up with for the Kawasaki :woohoo: :woohoo:

sweet xr.
you are right,it is much better if you fit the bike .

have you had a chain on your kz yet?

from the pics it look like you have so much swingarm angle that the top of the chain run is going to rub your swingarm.
shock mounts look good.
keep us posted,

leon