front end

Whats going on people I am new to the site and havea lot of guestions first I have a 78 kz 650 and want to upgrade to a inverted fort style front end I know mods are gojng to have to happen but just need a starting point on what will fit ...thank...many more guestions to come...any and all help is greatly appreciated

Best answer is just to start browsing the project section and search the technical section.

It all depends on how much you want to spend for parts and how much work you are willing/able to do yourself.

Later, Doug

And nothing fits, unless you modify it to make it do so. If you're a machinist with a shop full of tools and equipment, it's easy, if not, then much more difficult.

Steell...I hope everyone on this site is not like you, both your replies you did not need to waste your time, are you a dick all the time......you can answer that guestion...

Let's see three posts and you are insulting long time respected members. I suggest that you step back and consider how your actions might affect your longevity here.
kzcsi
Moderator

I wasn't trying to be a dick but the question of front end swaps and swingarm swaps has been brought up over and over on this site to the point of beating a dead horse at times. (You're new so you're not aware of it ) But seriously, if you search through the project sections you can see how/what was done to get each particular unit to work plus maybe get some inspiration for other parts and way to build your bike up.

I've done a couple frontend swaps and they're documented in my build threads linked in my signature.

Later, Doug

Other than looks wat is the advantage to inverting the forks? As far as a mechanical engineering stand point it seems to make the forks weaker. Wat are the advantages?

HBKwaka wrote: Other than looks wat is the advantage to inverting the forks? As far as a mechanical engineering stand point it seems to make the forks weaker. What are the advantages?

None that I can think of on a KZ650. Ed

78650 wrote: Steell...I hope everyone on this site is not like you, both your replies you did not need to waste your time, are you a dick all the time......you can answer that guestion...

Steell wasn't being a dick; he knows what he is talking about. Like it or not, what he said was true as you will eventually find out if you make the modification. Good luck with it. Ed

HBKwaka wrote: Other than looks wat is the advantage to inverting the forks? As far as a mechanical engineering stand point it seems to make the forks weaker. Wat are the advantages?

The larger OD of the female fork tubes provides more area for the triple clamps to clamp to, The end result is a fork assembly that deflects less then a conventional fork. Most inverted, or male slider, forks are built around a cartridge damper which is superior in almost every way compared to a damper rod fork.
If you have the time and money ( lots of money) male slider forks are a great modification for any mid 75s and newer motorcycle. Lots of money!

80B4 wrote:

HBKwaka wrote: Other than looks wat is the advantage to inverting the forks? As far as a mechanical engineering stand point it seems to make the forks weaker. Wat are the advantages?

The larger OD of the female fork tubes provides more area for the triple clamps to clamp to, The end result is a fork assembly that deflects less then a conventional fork. Most inverted, or male slider, forks are built around a cartridge damper which is superior in almost every way compared to a damper rod fork.
If you have the time and money ( lots of money) male slider forks are a great modification for any mid 75s and newer motorcycle. Lots of money!

Without a doubt, but at what point does the wonderfulness of the newer forks get overwhelmed by the weakness of the antique frame?

80B4 wrote:

HBKwaka wrote: Other than looks wat is the advantage to inverting the forks? As far as a mechanical engineering stand point it seems to make the forks weaker. Wat are the advantages?

The larger OD of the female fork tubes provides more area for the triple clamps to clamp to, The end result is a fork assembly that deflects less then a conventional fork. Most inverted, or male slider, forks are built around a cartridge damper which is superior in almost every way compared to a damper rod fork.
If you have the time and money ( lots of money) male slider forks are a great modification for any mid 75s and newer motorcycle. Lots of money!

Great for Kneviel jumps I guess...

TexasKZ wrote:

80B4 wrote:

HBKwaka wrote: Other than looks wat is the advantage to inverting the forks? As far as a mechanical engineering stand point it seems to make the forks weaker. Wat are the advantages?

The larger OD of the female fork tubes provides more area for the triple clamps to clamp to, The end result is a fork assembly that deflects less then a conventional fork. Most inverted, or male slider, forks are built around a cartridge damper which is superior in almost every way compared to a damper rod fork.
If you have the time and money ( lots of money) male slider forks are a great modification for any mid 75s and newer motorcycle. Lots of money!

Without a doubt, but at what point does the wonderfulness of the newer forks get overwhelmed by the weakness of the antique frame?

Only your wallet knows the answer to that question. I have found that it's the forks and swing arm that cause most of the flex in 70's eara motorcycles. Stiffen those two systems, align the wheels, invest in proper rate springs and modern damping and most (not all) mid 70's and newer bikes handle very well. Especially when they are kept on street tires.