Lighter Wheel Options for 1980 KZ750G Twin?

Hi guys,

I have been actively enjoying my KZ750G for the past two years. For the most part, it has all stock parts. In an effort to make it lighter, I understand people have suggested switching out for a lighter swingarm, exhaust, and wheels.

I've been searching for which wheels are compatible without too much modification (I've seen a lot of kz750 twin owners suggesting aluminum spoked wheels) and I'm wondering what wheels from other years/models will work or are common in achieving this.

Thanks in advance.

The only aluminum wheels I know of were on the 81-82 650-CSR & 1000-CSR. 48-spoke w aluminum rims. The 650 has a rear drum brake but smaller axle than the 750G & I don't know if it can be used on your bike. The 1000 has a rear disk brake which adds weight.

I would just keep riding the bike, keep up on the periodic maintenance & not bother with trying to save weight.

martin_csr wrote: I would just keep riding the bike, keep up on the periodic maintenance & not bother with trying to save weight.

+1

How much weight do you expect to save and how many dollars per pound are you willing to spend? No matter what wheels you use you will not save more than a couple pounds, and the cost and the level of effort to reduce the weight by just a couple pounds hardly seems worthwhile. Ed

Always thought about putting on alum rims.... seems like I remember reading a front is 7 1/2 lbs off and 8 1/2 for the rear but could be wrong and need to double check that. Its (EDIT ....thanks to Ed catching my mistake) UN sprung weight and rotating mass too so its a little more important than just the weight savings. Another edit.... wanted to add rear wheel off my 650 with alum sprocket, brake hub, tire etc no axle weights in at approx 45 and 3/4 lbs so it a heavy sucker.

A 3 inch wide one is big money having it laced on at Buchanan's if I remember right close to 500 bucks with spokes labor, shipping and the rim.... then the tire and shipping both ways and mounting on top of that (I'd probably have them mount it as it seems like you could scar it up pretty easy being alum and all). Denco with the Bonneville bike made light weight wheels with mechanite discs and alum rims and cut down hubs that knocked off 14 front and 16 lbs on the rear but are no longer avaliable of course and big $ if they were. Knocked off 3 tenths from 11.20 to 10.89. Ceramic discs are around but as far as I know only avaliable for newer bikes and 350 or more each too.

Hey Martin thanks didn't know about the rims on the csr's..... wounder if my hub has 48 spokes and could be matched up to em. Its something I might be interested in "someday but not right away" as I'm a big fan of weight saving too. Are they 18 and 19 inch and any wider or are they 2.15 wide too. Will look into em when I get time just out of curiosity.

Saving even a little unsprung weight can make a noticeable improvement in ride and handling. Spokes and aluminum rims could be a good choice, though you will then be dealing with tubes unless you can adapt some modern tubeless rims. Custom wheel companies like PM would likely be happy to fix you up with something exotic like carbon fiber wheels. The only thing lighter than that will be your wallet.
Loosing weight will also enhance acceleration and braking, and MIGHT be a cheaper route than cams, ported head and such.
One of the members over at ZRXOA went so far as machining hollow titanium axles, titanium nuts and bolts, and even uses a titanium ignition key.

When it comes to performance, nothing trumps cubic money.

KZB2 650 wrote:
"Always thought about putting on alum rims.... seems like I remember reading a front is 7 1/2 lbs off and 8 1/2 for the rear but could be wrong and need to double check that. Its sprung weight and rotating mass too so its a little more important than just the weight savings."

Wheels are unsprung weight. Ed