1981 kz550 LTD Front End Swap

Got a 81 kz550 im buildig into a streetfighter and just want to know what kind of advice anyone can give me about going through this. Im wanting to swap the front end out. Ive never dddone it before but i believe i can, i would just like to know if anyone has ever done it to this bike and what bike did they swap it from and what all do they need to do it with. Anything will help thanks.

typically a stem swap or possibly conversion bearings from www.allballsracing.com/

is what it takes to put pretty much any front end on any bike.

leon

do i have to modify anything or is it pretty much bolt right on? what about a sway bar swap

Brian,

Not to scare you, but anytime a major undertaking like that is done, nothing is a "bolt on"! It is not difficult if you plan it out, do your research, and use a complete front end instead of mixing and matching parts. All Balls is a great source for finding conversion bearings for compatible front ends. If that works, then it is much easier. Now if you use a front end that does not have a bearing conversion, then swapping stems are required. This too can be done fairly easily, but does normally require some machine work to make a stem bushing or bore a triple tree hole, etc... Now Leon who just posted does wonderful work at reasonable prices and can help you out if you do not have access to the required lathe or mill. What are you looking for in your finished bike? Is there a particular look or handling characteristic you are going for? That will determine the front end you should start with. Then go to EBay and start searching or use Craigslist. The last bit of advice I would give, is if this is your ONLY bike, I would save up and buy all the parts and be ready to do the swap before you disable your ride.

Good Luck,
Cory

well i am not to worried about the handling part i just like the look of the new old style it looks like. like i said before i have a 81 kz550 ltd and i want to put a new front end on but i just want to know if there is a bike that i should get that would make it easier and what about the sway bar. i just have a lot of quistions lol. And about how much do you think im gonna spend. i wish there was a video of how to do this but thanks

what are you referring to as a "sway bar"?

zx6/636 or zx10 or any of the gsxr's are good donors fro frontends.

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/325862-triple-tree-custom-work

will show you what is involved in a stem swap.

leon

It is possible just to slide the forks out of my bike and swap it with another bike?

as long as the forks you try to use are the same outside diameter as your forks you can.

leon