Rear Wheel Question

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.

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

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?

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.)







Good Fortune!

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.

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.)

Good Fortune!

I had the Lesters when I had the wreak in 86.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The H2 Kawasaki triple 750 has the same rear wheel but the rear sprocket has a 530 chain.