Wheel Options For 78 KZ650B

Picked up a super nice KZ 650B. It has spokes and was thinking of putting mags on it. What are my options for direct bolt on and what about rear disk? Thanks

If you put on a rear disk you will need to either switch to a disk type swing arm or modify the current swing arm. Unlike the drum type bikes, the torque link on the disk models is mounted above the swing arm. Ed

650ed wrote: If you put on a rear disk you will need to either switch to a disk type swing arm or modify the current swing arm. Unlike the drum type bikes, the torque link on the disk models is mounted above the swing arm. Ed

Yea that's no big deal. I would have to add the tab to for the master cylinder. I doubt I will end up going this route though.

What are my options for wheels that will bolt right up?

You might want to go look at the parts fishe and check different model 650 and 750 bikes and look for common spacers, axles, brakes and so forth. Both of those models had bikes that has alloy wheels and parts are plentiful and cheap. Worst case you have to buy a 750 swingarm and wheel both. No big deal .

Probably the closest match is the 1980 650F as it has cast alloy wheels, single disk Fr brake & 18" Rr drum.
and maybe the KZ550. the 550A has the same setup as the 650F. the 550C Ltd has a 16" Rr.

In your signature it looks like you already have a 1981 KZ550A, that should have the 18" rear drum brake mag. Pop that wheel off and see how it fits on the 650.
Don't cost nothin'

carwash wrote: In your signature it looks like you already have a 1981 KZ550A, that should have the 18" rear drum brake mag. Pop that wheel off and see how it fits on the 650.
Don't cost nothin'

Idk if I want to take apart 2 working bikes just to try that.

I wouldn't do it that way either, but you could take some measurements to see if the hub width is about the same.
As already suggested, go to partzilla & compare the hub parts. you may find that some of the stuff is identical between models. First thing is to make sure the axles are the same diameter. they probably are & they may be identical. compare the bearings. then the other stuff. If anything is different, eebbaayy photos can be very helpful.

My 650-CSR is completely different from the earlier 650s so this may not be applicable in your case, but andy-the-gringo said 550Ltd wheels were a direct swap to the csr. so I compared everything part by part & almost all of it was exactly the same. The only difference was that the 550 had a plastic front dust cover & a black Rr brake panel. the swap was easy.