TOPIC:

Has anyone here done a modern fork swap on a kz1000p? From what I’ve read on here and watched in videos as long as you get the complete front end then fit the old stem to the new trees it should work? Am I pretty much on the right track? 

Has anyone already done this and found a particular year and model is the easiest swap? 

Check out my build thread "finally wookie's 82 begins" I have fitted a complete ZX9R front end (forks needed extending)

This is a long flexible frame. I’d look into bracing as well.
I say this because my brother had his fork spring rates brought to modern standards, 1.15 I believe, (factory rate is .68)! and installed cartridge emulators. Then he put fairly grippy tires on and what a ride. The factory  forks work so much better and the tires grip and holy moly a quick lane change at speed creates a sorta 'the front goes first followed by the rear' effect. Not good.

Thanks for the tip I’ll be sure we add lots of good bracing to it, planning the cut the rear end off essentially to clean it up and make it more simple and flat framed

The P frames have more bracing than the civilian models. Be careful how you chop off the rear of the frame, lest you make it wobblier than before.
Even with the stock setup, you can grind the floorboards like crazy.

Most of the "Bobbed" bikes wind up on CL, the KZMarket or such places with a price of 3K or more and get laughed at. 
Steve

Would a monoshock be more wobbly or more solid than some good external reservoir dual shocks?

SWest, thanks for the laugh. 

chris_heiges wrote:

Would a monoshock be more wobbly or more solid than some good external reservoir dual shocks?

Do you have an overall vision of what you want this bike to be ? You seem to be jumping about with several modification questions which are all significant changes requiring involved work. A monoshock conversion doesn't stop at a couple of shock mounts welded to the frame, you need to ensure the correct location and check the "rising rate" is working correctly. You then need to re-engineer everything else around it, the battery etc will need to find a new home as the shock takes the space were the battery normally locates

A mono shock conversion can work quite well, but as Wookie58 points out, there is a lot to consider. A couple of members here have done that conversion, so there are some build threads and they may be willing to help if that is the direction you want to go. Any major modification will require some important engeneering problems that can affect other functions of the machine. Feel free to kick around ideas. Once you settle on a plan, I am sure you will have plenty of help from the membership.

Part of what SWest is alluding to is that there have been several new members here who have started out with great enthusiasm for a bobber or brat build, but few of them get finished. By all means, dream big, but when it comes to actually building, please keep in mind your ultimate goal for owning the bike. Show bike? Touring bike? Drag bike? Also keep in mind your resources for making that happen. Do you own a fabrication shop? Have the money to pay one?
with a realistic plan, you can come away with some new skills, some new tools, some new acquaintances and a finished bike that makes you smile every time you look at it.

This is a good point. You would be taking away the KZP's personality. The KZP… the only motorcycle in the world specifically built for law enforcement! (All others are converted civilian models).
When I owned mine, I did plan to install flatter handlebars and mount foot pegs in lieu of the floor boards. But I found I could rest my toes on the rear section of the floor boards and the handlebar/seat combo is amongst the most comfortable of any motorcycle made (to the point of falling asleep on the thing three times on one multi-state ride). So I satisfied myself with modifying the heal/toe shifter to toe only. The police went with the heal/toe shifter to preserve the shiny nature of the policemen's boots. Apparently scuffed boots are unacceptable. I have no idea how cruiser guys put up with  those, I could never figure the thing out.
A mono shock will not improve the flexible nature of those old frames. The KZP has wider fork spacing, my brother found a fork brace for his which improved matters.
 

If you chose to go this route the below pics from my "K" will give an idea of what's involved (no wobbly here)