KZ750 front end swap
- Ethan B
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KZ750 front end swap
17 Sep 2020 08:25
Hi everyone!
I recently bought a KZ750 from 1981. I'm on my way to do a front end swap on it. I'm looking for the easiest fit on as possible. I have the opportunity to buy a 06 zx10r complete front end ( forks, triple tree, wheel, brakes, masters etc.). I was wondering if this is a good idea? Should I be worried about the forks being to wide and knocking on the frame while turning? What's y'all opinions and idea?
Thank you, Ethan
I recently bought a KZ750 from 1981. I'm on my way to do a front end swap on it. I'm looking for the easiest fit on as possible. I have the opportunity to buy a 06 zx10r complete front end ( forks, triple tree, wheel, brakes, masters etc.). I was wondering if this is a good idea? Should I be worried about the forks being to wide and knocking on the frame while turning? What's y'all opinions and idea?
Thank you, Ethan
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- davido
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
17 Sep 2020 12:29
More likely hitting the tank than the frame. I had to widen the head lock stop (?? Cant remember the right word!!) on my CSR when I fitted the ZX9r forks. It reduced the turning range (Bollocks! Wheres my brain? I'm losing terminology!!) Not by very much and its not really noticeable except when you're trying to park.
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/594313-csr1000-project-build
CB550 (1978)
CB500/4 (1972)*
KZ1000CSR (1981)
XT 600E (1999)
TDM900 (2003)
CB550 (1978)
CB500/4 (1972)*
KZ1000CSR (1981)
XT 600E (1999)
TDM900 (2003)
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- Ethan B
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
17 Sep 2020 12:46
Should I try to space up the tank a bit or just switch up to another type of front end? I heard about Suzuki's inverted forks, could it be an option? Or am I going to have the same problem? I heard that the zx6r and zx9r are easily bolt on on these kind of bikes, it that right?
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- davido
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
17 Sep 2020 13:53
No idea about your specific bike but this is one of the joys of bike building. How to get something to fit that wasn't designed to fit. Be prepared for many of these magical moments.
Like I said with mine,I was lucky and got away with it. Don't know what I would have done otherwise. I never even considered that it might be a problem. I know that some old cafe racers used to hammer dimples into the front of the tank to accommodate clip ons. It might work but a bit drastic though.
If you have access to the ZX10, you could measure the top yoke and make a copy out of wood. Offer it up to your bike and see how much of a turn radius you get. Lifting the tank might work but it would probably ruin the lines of the bike and look crap. Don't know. Maybe others here have a suggestion.
More things to think about are matching the wheels. If you use the ZX front wheel what are you going to do on the back? Will the ZX rear wheel fit? What swingarm to use? How to deal with the chain offset?
Also, ground clearance. Expect the new forks to severely lower the front end. Whats that going to do to your exhaust downpipes. I used the ZX9r forks which were meant to be the longest of the Jap USD at the time. I still had clearance problems and had to fit extensions to the fork tops to bring everything up a bit. (So, if you get a chance to measure the top yoke,you should also measure the fork length with the wheel to see what your,e in for.)
There are many more of these issues to think about, the ones above are just what comes to mind right now. Best thing to do is read as many build threads as you can. A lot of people here have gone through the same thing and there's a lot of info on what can happen and how to get over it.
Good luck.
Like I said with mine,I was lucky and got away with it. Don't know what I would have done otherwise. I never even considered that it might be a problem. I know that some old cafe racers used to hammer dimples into the front of the tank to accommodate clip ons. It might work but a bit drastic though.
If you have access to the ZX10, you could measure the top yoke and make a copy out of wood. Offer it up to your bike and see how much of a turn radius you get. Lifting the tank might work but it would probably ruin the lines of the bike and look crap. Don't know. Maybe others here have a suggestion.
More things to think about are matching the wheels. If you use the ZX front wheel what are you going to do on the back? Will the ZX rear wheel fit? What swingarm to use? How to deal with the chain offset?
Also, ground clearance. Expect the new forks to severely lower the front end. Whats that going to do to your exhaust downpipes. I used the ZX9r forks which were meant to be the longest of the Jap USD at the time. I still had clearance problems and had to fit extensions to the fork tops to bring everything up a bit. (So, if you get a chance to measure the top yoke,you should also measure the fork length with the wheel to see what your,e in for.)
There are many more of these issues to think about, the ones above are just what comes to mind right now. Best thing to do is read as many build threads as you can. A lot of people here have gone through the same thing and there's a lot of info on what can happen and how to get over it.
Good luck.
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/594313-csr1000-project-build
CB550 (1978)
CB500/4 (1972)*
KZ1000CSR (1981)
XT 600E (1999)
TDM900 (2003)
CB550 (1978)
CB500/4 (1972)*
KZ1000CSR (1981)
XT 600E (1999)
TDM900 (2003)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Ethan B
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- Ethan B
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
17 Sep 2020 18:19
Thank you very much man I appreciate the help! Will try ton keep the post up to date as I'm working on it! Will work hard to make it good!
Thank you!
Thank you!
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- TexasKZ
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
18 Sep 2020 07:02
I read somewhere that the ZX 636 has the longest forks of the Ninja family. This may eliminate the need for custom clamps and fork extensions. The mid-90s GPz 1100 also had pretty long forks, but they may be hard to find.
If you find a front end that is close in length, and has the offset and rake & trail you are looking for, you may be able to get away with putting the KZ steering stem in the new lower clamp, thus retaining the stock size steering bearings.
There are a lot of variables involved.
If you find a front end that is close in length, and has the offset and rake & trail you are looking for, you may be able to get away with putting the KZ steering stem in the new lower clamp, thus retaining the stock size steering bearings.
There are a lot of variables involved.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
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- Scirocco
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
18 Sep 2020 14:37
Sorry TexsasKZ but the ZX9-R (94-95 four piston caliper) and the ZX-9R (96-97 six piston caliper) are the longest forks of the Ninja family.
My 1975 Z 1 B 900 Project
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/605133...ears-deep-sleep-mode
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/605133...ears-deep-sleep-mode
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- TexasKZ
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
19 Sep 2020 06:23
Second place ain't so bad.......
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
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- TexasKZ
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
19 Sep 2020 06:25
Oops, early 6R at 758 and ZZR 14 at a whopping 742 beat it as well.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
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- Mikaw
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
19 Sep 2020 09:50
Sciricco
How is the measurement taken. Center Line of axle to to top of upper tube?
How is the measurement taken. Center Line of axle to to top of upper tube?
1976 KZ 900 A4
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
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- Saablord
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
19 Sep 2020 11:22yes.Mikaw wrote: Sciricco
How is the measurement taken. Center Line of axle to to top of upper tube?
and zx9 forks can be extended. kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/611307-lengt...ks-for-zx-to-kz-swap i will have stock ride height on my 78 650 project with zx9 forks.
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- Mikaw
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Re: KZ750 front end swap
19 Sep 2020 13:04 - 19 Sep 2020 13:21Saablord wrote:yes.Mikaw wrote: Sciricco
How is the measurement taken. Center Line of axle to to top of upper tube?
and zx9 forks can be extended. kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/611307-lengt...ks-for-zx-to-kz-swap i will have stock ride height on my 78 650 project with zx9 forks.
Thanks, Im thinking about starting a new post so this one stays intact.
1976 KZ 900 A4
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
Last edit: 19 Sep 2020 13:21 by Mikaw.
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