KZ440 LTD Mags on a KZ400: The Ride

I wanted to reach out and see what the KZRider community thinks about swapping 2x18" spoked wheels on a 78 KZ400 with 19"F/16"R 82 KZ440 LTD mag wheels. I got everything ready to go, but am wondering what can I expect to change in my ride when I do this. Not only besides from the obvious wheel diameter differences, but also the fork heights.

The kz440 forks are a little over 2" taller than the 400's. Should I only replace the boots and keep the shorter spring and tube on the forks or should I go with the full length?

What can I expect with the difference in the ride? Not worried about any of the mechanical challenges, looks to be a simple job of dropping out the forks with the wheel in the front and an easy swap in the back (for now, will see what issues arise).

Why would I do this you may ask? I really just want to relace my orignal wheels and it would be nice to have something to ride while i fumble around with spokes.

It will change the attitude of the bike. It will steer slower and you might drag parts but you may like how it feels.
Steve

Watch your swing arm width. :whistle:


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Nebr_Rex

You are correct, there always has to be a wrench in my spokes from somewhere.

It looks like the rear sprockets are in the same position and the mounting width of the swing arm seems to be the same. The 440 swing arm seems to be a bit longer as well as wider.

So I'm either gonna try to cram the 16 inch wheel in the 400 swing arm which could prove to be difficult due to the huge rear tire or just use the kz440 swing arm which I have. My only work would be then moving over the rear shock mounts on the frame to match the new swing arm. I'm running only headers so I don't have to worry about any exhaust interference.

Any experience with this swap rex?

That's Rex.
On Dr. Jekyll I swapped out the stock 400 swing arm for a 440 LTD unit.
It added about 2 inches to the wheel base. Both sides of the 440 arm are symmetrical,
unlike the 400. The added length is unnoticeable with the stock rear fender unless you
know how short the KZ400 wheel base actually is. On Mr. Hyde I used a modified
KZ550 swing arm. A benefit of using the later swing arms is needle bearings are used
instead of bushings. No need to move the shock mounts. Everything bolted up except
for the axle spacers since I kept the KZ400 spoke wheels.


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Aren't the shock mounts on the 440 swing arm farther apart than the 400? Meaning they wouldn't line up with the ones on the frame? Was thinking I'd add spacers or something.

Gonna drop the rear soon and play around with the wheels and parts, see what's what. Thanks for the replies.