single-sided swingarm swap

Hello all. I currently have a '78 KZ650 that's all stock. However, I am looking to do a good deal of modifying here in the near future. Why I've posted on this forum is I'm hoping somebody--or somebodies--may be able to help me out on a certain point. You see, I'm wanting to do a swingarm swap and put on a single-sided swingarm--if I can find one, that is. I've searched this site--as well as other places on the web--and can't find any details on what exactly I'm looking for. I've always really liked Honda's single-sided VFR swingarms, and I would like to try to mount one on my '78 KZ650. Any info or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your guys' time & consideration.

Just my 2 cents worth,

You will have much better luck putting your engine into a single sided frame.
Just NO WAY a stock or started as stock frame will take the loadings involved .

What exactly do u mean--"loadings involved"? Such as the torsional load, the torque applied when driving, accelerating--that kind of load? Will having a different swingarm on there screw up the original bike's balance, center of gravity, etc.?

Kind of yes to most of your questions.
There are A LOT of smart folks on this site.
Many have changed their swing arms and made their bikes better.
I'm sure most made other changes at the same time AFTER doing their research and homework.

Sure they look cool, and the bikes that have them work just fine.
BUT the whole bike was designed to be that way.(Starting with the frame)

It is not really just a different swingarm, rather a different configuration. You are putting all the load on one side of the frame, a frame that was designed from the ground up to share the load across both sides of the frame.
What you could do is install a newer, stronger swingarm with dualing shocks.

Here is a good write up on a VFR swinger in a KZ1000. It's an older post and the pics are gone, but it has some good information.

www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19958

I don't see how this is much different than switching to a double sided monoshock swingarm, which is pretty common on this forum. The only force exerted on the frame is at the pivot. The VFR pivot is centered just like the stock one. The only way you'll get torsional load is if the wheel is not centered or if the swingarm twists. There is more load on the swingarm and the rear wheel bearing, but they were designed for it.

Just a generic diagram, but shows the mounting of a single sided swingarm.

Check out this thread. Different bike but the same idea. This is page 72. And yes lots of frame mods.
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/348089-78-...-makeover?start=1420

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationWhy not just buy a VFR? More power, better handling; better brakes; single sided swing-arm; the works!

ed it is just too bad none of the bikes you posted look like a kz with a single sided swingarm :whistle: .

or else you might be onto something ...

the load of a single side swingarm acts on the chassis just as nitrokeeb says.

you are looking for an arm that is or can be machined to 9 inches of width at the pivot.

most are wider than that.

if it was me i would machine the pivot tube narrower and then weld aluminum plate back into cover the holes that were opened be machining the pivot narrower.

but i have the skills and machines to do that.

leon

I put a GPZ arm on my 650 and love it, it wasn't hard to do either. I don't see any reason you could not put a single sided arm on, no different loading between single or double sided swing arm.
Mark

I thank everybody for their input, and I never meant to insinuate that those on this site are anything other than intelligent. Just as with those other people, I'm trying to do my own research. And part of that involves picking the brains of informed persons--specifically those that have previous experience with KZs. As I said, I greatly appreciate it that all of you have taken the time out of your own schedules to comment on my forum. Any and all help is welcome. Regardless of what my ex-wife said, I DO listen to advice from others.

here are some bikes with sssa's.

















leon