Rear Wheel Question

  • OutsiderKZ900A4
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Rear Wheel Question

12 Dec 2014 19:10
#655939
I have a 1976 KZ900. It has a 16" rear wheel and I much prefer the look of the 18" rear wheel. What would be involved in swapping this and is it even doable?

Thanks in advance.

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  • SWest
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

12 Dec 2014 19:24
#655942
You can get a 18" rear wheel on eBay for cheep. Just be careful and get the Z1 or KZ 900 with drum brake. That 16" is considered the 'Hot' setup. You can go for a taller tire and they should be cheaper than the 18". Very few choices for the vintage sizes. You could also re lace to a bigger rim but that would be expensive and you could get a bolt on for much less.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
The following user(s) said Thank You: PLUMMEN

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Re: Rear Wheel Question

16 Dec 2014 07:41
#656162
I'm looking for the 18" rear drum wheel as well, but can't find it to save my life. I was told it came on the 1981 F2 model, but that hasn't helped my search at all. Were these available in the US?
83' KZ650

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  • Patton
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

16 Dec 2014 08:08 - 16 Dec 2014 08:17
#656175
OutsiderKZ900A4 wrote: I have a 1976 KZ900. It has a 16" rear wheel and I much prefer the look of the 18" rear wheel. What would be involved in swapping this and is it even doable? ....

KZ900 standard model came with 18" spoke rear wheel and drum brake.




KZ900 LTD model came with 16" Morris Mag rear wheel and disc brake.



If wheels are genuine Morris Mags (as factory equipped on KZ900 LTD), would think twice about tossing them, as they are quite valuable and desirable items.

If the 16" rear wheel at hand has spokes and drum brake, it may be a custom-laced wheel, in which event a stock KZ900 18" spoke wheel should bolt on.

I don't know which if any other Kawasaki model 18" rear spoke wheel might be a bolt-on fit.

I believe Lester mags were also available for either rear drum or disc, in 16" and 18".
(Maybe not in 16" drum.) :unsure:







Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD

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Last edit: 16 Dec 2014 08:17 by Patton.

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  • martin_csr
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

16 Dec 2014 12:08
#656192
j4k3 wrote: I'm looking for the 18" rear drum wheel as well, but can't find it to save my life. I was told it came on the 1981 F2 model, but that hasn't helped my search at all. Were these available in the US?
The 81 F2 was not available in the USA.

The 1980 KZ650-F1 (USA) had an 18" wheel w Rr drum brake. Also, the KZ550-A models.
1981 KZ650 Competition Sports and Road

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  • SWest
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

16 Dec 2014 18:00
#656227
Patton wrote:
OutsiderKZ900A4 wrote: I have a 1976 KZ900. It has a 16" rear wheel and I much prefer the look of the 18" rear wheel. What would be involved in swapping this and is it even doable? ....

KZ900 standard model came with 18" spoke rear wheel and drum brake.




KZ900 LTD model came with 16" Morris Mag rear wheel and disc brake.



If wheels are genuine Morris Mags (as factory equipped on KZ900 LTD), would think twice about tossing them, as they are quite valuable and desirable items.

If the 16" rear wheel at hand has spokes and drum brake, it may be a custom-laced wheel, in which event a stock KZ900 18" spoke wheel should bolt on.

I don't know which if any other Kawasaki model 18" rear spoke wheel might be a bolt-on fit.

I believe Lester mags were also available for either rear drum or disc, in 16" and 18".
(Maybe not in 16" drum.) :unsure:







Good Fortune! :)


I had the Lesters when I had the wreak in 86. :(
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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  • z1kzonly
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

16 Dec 2014 19:53
#656241
OutsiderKZ900A4 wrote: I have a 1976 KZ900. It has a 16" rear wheel and I much prefer the look of the 18" rear wheel. What would be involved in swapping this and is it even doable?

Thanks in advance.
Lots of speculation?
Signature says KZ900 A4 which would make it wire wheels, spokes. So he must have a Hog wheel laced up to the hub. Not Mags
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!

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Re: Rear Wheel Question

22 Dec 2014 15:33
#656738
I'm in the process of swapping the 18" rear with disk on my 83 which came with the ugly 16" and drum. I needed the swingarm as well for the torque link mount, but somehow managed to mix up spacers so I'm working that out now. I wanted to keep the drum for the easy swap but it's apparently impossible to find.


Attachment image_2014-12-23.jpg not found

83' KZ650

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  • martin_csr
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

22 Dec 2014 15:49 - 24 Dec 2014 00:40
#656741
j4k3 wrote: I'm in the process of swapping the 18" rear with disk on my 83 which came with the ugly 16" and drum. I needed the swingarm as well for the torque link mount, but somehow managed to mix up spacers so I'm working that out now. I wanted to keep the drum for the easy swap but it's apparently impossible to find.
What Rr wheel & disk brake stuff did you go with?
Is the tire going to rub the fender or frame?

Disk brake. The 750-4 stuff (chain drive E/H models) should be a direct swap to the 650-CSR.

For a drum brake the 550A Rr wheel probably fits the 81-83 KZ650-CSR.
I put 550Ltd wheels on my 81 CSR model. very easy. I installed the 550 wheels & Fr disk only and kept all of the other CSR stuff.
1981 KZ650 Competition Sports and Road
Last edit: 24 Dec 2014 00:40 by martin_csr.

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Re: Rear Wheel Question

22 Dec 2014 18:48
#656754
Pretty sure it came from a 79 kz650 part out. No issues with frame clearance, probably not running a fender. I'm also going with taller rear shocks next week, I'm sure I'll have plenty of room then.
83' KZ650

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  • Rons Z
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

24 Dec 2014 18:47
#656905
j4k3 wrote: I'm looking for the 18" rear drum wheel as well, but can't find it to save my life. I was told it came on the 1981 F2 model, but that hasn't helped my search at all. Were these available in the US?
Hey J4K3, if you're still looking for a 18" drum rear wheel I have one. If you're interested PM me.
Rons z
"No bastard ever won a war dying for his country. He won by making the other poor dumb ass bastard die for their country"
by General George S. Patton Jr

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  • Lt.Dan
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Re: Rear Wheel Question

27 Dec 2014 10:21
#657081
The H2 Kawasaki triple 750 has the same rear wheel but the rear sprocket has a 530 chain.

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