KZ650 16" Mag Rotor/Caliper Question

Hi Everyone,

I have a 1977 KZ650C and I'm trying to swap out the 18" mag with a 16" mag that I think came off of a 1978 KZ650SR. The wheel didn't have a brake rotor or sprocket so I swapped those over from my 18" wheel. It doesn't quite fit up correctly and I'm wondering if the SR came with a different caliper or rotor with a smaller offset. The brake side wheel spacer also seems to have a different OD.

Thanks in advance!

If it's any help, most guys prefer an 18" Rr wheel. If the 650C parts don't swap over, then you'll probably have to get some of the SR parts off of EB. You can compare part numbers at Partzilla. The two models share a number of Rr wheel components. some spacers are different.

Instead of modifying a bike I’m looking for sell it to me and and buy something else. Just saying

Mikaw wrote: Instead of modifying a bike I’m looking for sell it to me and and buy something else. Just saying

Exactly! Selling it makes a LOT more sense than putting 16" rear wheel on a KZ650-C bike! Ed

He just wants to swap the Rr wheel. What's the big deal? He should already have a good idea of whether or not the chain & disk line up. Having said that, the only thing I'd change on a 650C is to add a fork cover emblem to hide the brake joint stuff.

I’ve been looking for a ‘77-‘78 C especially if it’s star dust silver. Looking to relive my youth

martin_csr wrote: He just wants to swap the Rr wheel. What's the big deal? He should already have a good idea of whether or not the chain & disk line up. Having said that, the only thing I'd change on a 650C is to add a fork cover emblem to hide the brake joint stuff.

I don't know the difference between the 1977 KZ650-C1 (CUSTOM) swing arm and the 1978 KZ650-D1 (SR) swing arm, but the first uses part number 33001-1007 and the second uses part number 33001-1081. Any idea on what the differences may be? Ed

I don't know, but two possibilities are that the chain guard mounts are different & maybe the SR is wider to accept a fatter tire? Both models use the same axle, so maybe the width is the same, but the SR has a chrome chain guard w 3 mounting bolts so that may be the reason for the different part numbers. If he has to swap swing arms, then that starts getting into pain-in-butt territory. to me anyway. I prefer things easy. hee.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I've got an SR caliper on the way. I'll let you know what I find out.

The SR caliper centered up the wheel in the swing arm, however, the torque arm for the caliper is slightly different. I'll probably end up making my own torque arm and turn a new wheel spacer that will fit.

G'day Hank, I too am using a 16"wheel on my project and yes the brake rotor offset is different, I was lucky to find a rim with rotor, axle and all spacers here in AU so avoided outrageous freight costs from O/S. I'm pretty sure it will fit the swingarm and caliper ok but I am not at that stage of my build yet so I'll let you know.
At the very worst I will have the local machine shop run up some new spacers.
Don't worry about the naysayers mate, absolutely nothing wrong with using a 16" rim.