What are my options for new front forks on a KZ650?

Looking into lowering the front end and not sure the best options for changing them out. See a lot of people with the gold forks that are flipped? What kind of things do I need to look into before changing this out? Does the triple tree also have to be swapped? I'd like to rebuild the entire front end but just getting overwhelmed by parts. Anyone have a part list for a build they've done on a cafe for similar bikes?

I'm not sure of the best option, but guys usually swap out the entire front end, not just the forks. The donor triple tree may have to be modified to fit the frame steering head. usually cutting the steering stem to the correct length, then machining the end (so that it's the same as the piece that was cut off). probably pretty simple for a competent machine shop.

All-Balls-Racing has a fork conversion chart that shows what triple tree can be mated to your frame. The chart only shows what tapered bearing kits are available with the same O.D. as your steering head & same I.D. as the donor steering stem. All-Balls hasn't verified the actual fitment.
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You can swap in any front end you want it just takes money and work so it depends on why do you want to do this, looks or performance. If performance your going to need to swap out the rear swingarm and shocks to benifit from the front end swap. If it's for looks that is a lot of work for just appearances. The stock forks perorm really well with a spring upgrade and brace. My 650 will surprise a lot of modern bikes bikes in the twisties.

Alright I'll check out all-balls and see what they have to offer as well. Trying to find the list of closest options for the least amount of adjustments possible. eBay had quite a few front ends to swap over with.

baldy110 wrote: You can swap in any front end you want it just takes money and work so it depends on why do you want to do this, looks or performance. If performance your going to need to swap out the rear swingarm and shocks to benifit from the front end swap. If it's for looks that is a lot of work for just appearances. The stock forks perorm really well with a spring upgrade and brace. My 650 will surprise a lot of modern bikes bikes in the twisties.

Yeah definitely going more for looks, swapping out the front and back shocks for a newer design and changing up the ride heights. Really loving this guy's front end right now.

www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/ba...app&utm_source=share

zx6/636 frontends are common swaps for these old girls.

an 03/04 zx6/636 swingarms can be machined to fit as well and will let you use the zx wheels and brakes .if you wan't to keep your dual shocks the brake caliper bracket has to be modified to "lay the caliper back out of the way of dual shocks.

here is DNel's '78 KZ650 Fighter Project


here is the thread.
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/520339-dne...er-project?start=160

hth,
leon

ZX9R- B or ZX7R USD front ends are an easy fit.
The stock 650 stem OD where it presses in the bottom yoke will press into the ID of the ZX stem at the bottom yoke and secure with a ring of weld and the hole in the top yoke just needs opening up to take the larger top OD of the 650 stem and your done apart from fitting some bar clamps/risers.
Use a ZX7R top yoke with either fork for a simpler conversion as the ZX9 one has a deep recess for a large cap head stem nut which needs filling with an ally slug where as the ZX7's is just flat.

531blackbanshee wrote: zx6/636 frontends are common swaps for these old girls.

an 03/04 zx6/636 swingarms can be machined to fit as well and will let you use the zx wheels and brakes .if you wan't to keep your dual shocks the brake caliper bracket has to be modified to "lay the caliper back out of the way of dual shocks.

here is DNel's '78 KZ650 Fighter Project

here is the thread.
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/520339-dne...er-project?start=160

hth,
leon

Ayyy, that's what I'm looking for right there. Started looking through his thread before o got out of work I'll keep following it when I get home. Think I can piece together a gsxr front end for around 600$ with decent used pieces. A conversion stem from Cognito is around 140$ plus some bearings. I'm going to look at how he did his if I could find a different donor bike I think I could drop the price quite a bit.