1981 kz440 ltd rear brake conversion?

Probably a question thats asked often here but I picked up an 81 kz440 Ltd from a friend not to long ago. It wasn't running but after cleaning up the carbs and checking all parts of the bike I got it running. I'm not a big fan of drum brakes for many reasons so my question is, is there any way to convert the bike from drum brakes to a single rotor and caliper in the back. Anybody attempted this yet or had any kind of success? If so what kind of problems did you face and is it really worth it in the end. Anything is a help for me right now and pics would be +1 thanks

-Ray

It's probably going to be more trouble than it's worth. I've never heard of the conversion being done on a 400 or 440. The closest sized bike w Rr disk would be the 550 GPz, so I guess that would be as good a place to start as any. Another possibility is to look into the European Z400/440/500 models, but there may not be any diagrams for comparing stuff. eebbaayy. uk

For comparison's sake the 650-CSR would be easy to do, as it has the same frame as the 750-4 Ltd.

Rear brake shoes. If you don't know the age of the Rr Br shoes, replace them. The adhesive that binds the linings to the shoes can fail over time, so a lining can come loose & get jammed between the shoe & drum, locking the rear wheel. It happened to me when rolling the bike off the center stand, so it does happen. Get oem or Vesrah (made in Japan).

Thank you for the info I'll definitely look into the other bikes to see if there compatible with the 440 worst case scenario I just change the shoes and leave her how she is. Again thanks for the info

Also one just wondering if you've had any experience with the mikuni vm32 carbs. Are they any good and are they a perfect fit for the 440's stock intake intake boots or do I have to do some rigging of my own to get them to fit?

Rayray10147 wrote: Thank you for the info I'll definitely look into the other bikes to see if there compatible with the 440 worst case scenario I just change the shoes and leave her how she is. Again thanks for the info

The 550 GPz won't be compatible, it'll just be the closest match in size, as opposed to a 650 or 750 for instance. The first thing to do would be to get a swing arm measurement or two. The width would let you know straight away how doable it would be. Or the sleeve/bolt length.

For better stopping power, it might be easier to swap a dual disk front end, but that opens a can of worms as well. The stock brakes ought to be fine, though. When replacing the rear brake shoes, I sanded the glazing off the drum very carefully & evenly w 100 grit --- don't contaminate the bearings. Don't breathe the dust as it may contain asbestos.