'96-'97 ZX9R swap to '77 Kz1000 LTD Frame

I'm in the process of acquiring parts for a future build. I have 96-97 ZX9R complete front forks. The '77 frame has been thru powder coat. I also have the GS1100e Swing arm. I want to get a custom triple tree built. Based on a post from Scirocco recently I found the ZX9R forks are 775 MM top of tube to CL of axle. I measure the stock assembled 77 fork and its 776mm. I read on all of the swap postings that the ZX9R are shorter and will change ground clearance and trail. I don't see that unless it because everyone is using the OEM ZX9R trees with the Kz stem swapped in. I look at the Kz OEM upper tree of the '77 and they appear to have a drop built into them. How do I measure that drop so I can have that built into the custom triples I want to have machined?

Looks like a fun project.
Steve

Thanks Steve, I’m looking forward to some artistic flexibility that differs from the strick OEM restoration I’m doing on the ‘76 A4

Here’s what I’m talking about. I know pictures can distort perspectives and dimensions, but look at the fold in the cardboard. I tried my best to align the top of both uppers with the fold

Here’s another mock up. This time I lined up the point on the upper tree where it would sit on the head tube. Look how much that will change the position of the axle on the ZX9R to the OEM.

The ZX9 is an easy swap.
Use the Z stem , press and weld it into the remains of the ZX9 stem that has been cut and machined flush with the top of the bottom yoke.
Use a ZX7R top toke and bore out the hole to take the top of the zed stem.
You don't loose much ground clearance using them as is but if you want a bit more lift you can get an extra 32mm by fitting a simple internal extension to the damper rod.

I don’t have the skills nor equipment to machine this myself so I only want to pay for this once. Thanks for any and all advice.

Zed, thanks but I’m not a fabricator, I want to purchase something like this to make all of this as plug and play as I can. The factory gauges will mount as OEM and the steering lock to lock will also be correct, And mounting of the brake splitter Those are things I have no ability to do myself.

Here's a pic of one of my current builds.
This is using the shorter ZX7 forks but with the damper rod extension as shown in my last post.
This puts them at the same length as stock ZX9 forks and there's plenty of ground clearance.
This is just to show that you don't need to step the yokes to get decent ground clearance.

That looks great Zed. Now you got me thinking I might have wanted to chop off the rear passenger peg mounts as you did. Ahh hell its only $275 to have it powder coated again if I choose to.

It's a Yam XJR1300 arm which is pretty wide so i had to lose the hangers and the rear brake pivot.
I always dry build the complete machine to ensure everything clears etc before stripping it back down for paint etc.

zed1015 wrote: I always dry build the complete machine to ensure everything clears etc before stripping it back down for paint etc.

Another statement that shows I’m not a fabricator. Oops