Swapping out forks for 1978 KZ200

I have a 1978 KZ200 and I'm interested in swapping out the front end in order to get hydraulic disc brakes (rather than the current mechanical set up). Is that possible? If so, any tips for finding a compatible front end?

It might be possible. The donor stuff will probably have to come from a small bike. guessing.
All-Balls-Racing has a fork conversions section, but I did not see any info for the KZ200.
To figure out the swap you have to check to see if there are tapered steering bearings that will mate a donor triple tree to your steering head. The tapered bearings would have the same ID as the donor & same OD as the KZ200. Then the donor lower steering stem usually has to be cut to length & the end machined. assuming it's long enough.

From the Ohio Cafe Racers fork tube conversion chart, the 83 EX305 GPz has the same fork tube diameter as your bike, but I have no idea how anything would fit --- either the entire front end or just the forks & front wheel.

It might be simpler to fabricate a bracket to adapt a hydraulic caliper from a 305 or 400/440.

Stockton350 wrote: I have a 1978 KZ200 and I'm interested in swapping out the front end in order to get hydraulic disc brakes (rather than the current mechanical set up). Is that possible? If so, any tips for finding a compatible front end?

I have a kz200 and I swapped out the front brake for one off of a kz750 twin. It took a bit of fabricating and 50 bucks at a machine shop. Here is the link.

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/603712-b...eed-of-help?start=20

The kz200 has 31mm forks and lots of bikes will be able to swap, but most have drum brakes. Entire front ends off some bikes, like the suzuki gs250 will fit too.

But like TexasKZ said it will probably be easier to fab another similar brake to fit.

I've never had something fabricated before. Who do you go to for something like that? I'm assuming we're talking about some kind of adapter to mate the KZ200 bracket with a caliper from a different bike?

Something like this

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/603712-b...eed-of-help?start=20

Here are some extra sexy ones.

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/481447...ild?start=340#746509

Depending on what you need, you may only need a piece of flat metal with appropriate holes.

Depending on where you live, a member here may know of a local shop that will do the work, or you might find a member near by who is willing to do it.