The short was due to the ignition switch bouncing around. I mounted the switch and got to hit it pretty hard a few times today..

People always want a burn out video.. so here is a small burnout.

I am starting what will be a long and frustrating project. I now have a 1981 KZ that started out as an LTD, but was taken in the right direction by the previous owner. I plan on leaning on you guys to point me in the right direction. I wont be asking any "will this fit" questions because I have don this sort of thing before and as my brother owns a repair shop, with welder/blaster/lathe/mill/powder coater, I know anything can be made to fit. BUT I have too many options and need advice on what would be the most logical, and I have seen the expertise here.

Here is as it as it sits:

My first plan was to bolt in a FZR600 arm, because I have done that before and it is easy. The front was going to be a YZF600 set, because I have one and the wheels match. Upside easy, but still an 18" rear wheel.

Then I thought about using this Seca2 arm because it is also steel and kinda period-look. An FZR600/400 wheel is a bolt on, so I thought I was on my way. Also. the seca has a direct action shock so the possibility of a monshock conversion would be dead simple.

Then, some dude up and GAVE me a battered ZX7, so I thought "job done", but I didnt realize it had a 6" rear wheel. I figured it would be more work, but it has been done and I have access to machinery and guys who know how to use it.

And then again, yesterday I traded a 12 pack of Bud for this GS1100 swinger. (mocked up here with an FZR400 wheel)

So I figured I would go ZX7 wheels and forks, GS arm. But I got to worrying again about that 6" rear wheel and the aggravation of the chain run. So U though maybe I will use the less optimum, but fairly matching 400 rear wheel because it is an 18x4.00(thus the mock up). And now I had my afternoon coffee (i work the midnight shift) and I perused my junk pile and remembered that I have a set of YZF600 wheels. The are 17 and the rear is a 5.5.



I realize that I have a long way to go, but does anyone have an opinion on the first attempt? What combo makes the most sense.? If you think this was long-winded, just wait till I hit you-all up on rearset choices!

I know they say options are good, but now the confusion is getting larger. You see, I just traded a 12 pack of Budweiser for a GS1100 swingarm. I guess this is best discussed when I post a project thread, but it is as if the universe wants me to build this bike.

Howdie fellas. As I am back in the Kawalski fold, I thought I would sign up. Ton of good info I have already read. Please excuse some of my future questions because I cant leave my bikes alone.

I am a daily VFR800 rider and have owened about one of each bike ever by now. Currently have my VFR, an RC51, a GS850G, a 500 Interceptor, a Seca 2 and a 1981 KZ1000J.

Just picked up my J model a coupla days ago, I have had KZ's in the past, but was too dumb to hold on to them. The last one got a FZR600 swingarm and wheel treatment. This one can go in any direction, as I havent decided, and this is why I come to you. I was set on using either an FZR600 swinger and wheel and a YZF600 front end, but some dude just up and gave me a beaten ZX7, with good swingarm, front end and wheels. My head is spinning with options because I have at least 3 or 4 viable options. Lately, I have settled on a Seca 2 swingarm, ZX7 forks and stock 1000P 18 inche wheels, because I have decided not to monoshock and USD it like most. Please point fingers, make fun and send me in a logical direction. I have done a wheel and front end swap a few times, so it isnt voo doo, but I would like anyones thoughts. Thanks for listening fellas and here are a few photos of whats goin on.

531blackbanshee wrote: looks good so far! :evil:

leon

Thanks Leon.
I still need you to make another set of swingarm bushings for me (mock up bushings installed now) and weld up my upper tree for riser support, so I can mount a set of motocross style handlebars.

P.S. I looked at the seedo cable on this 1995 GSXR front end. It looks like it would hook right up to my KZ dash???
If so I want to mock up the dash and have a mount welded to the top tree also.

royalratch wrote: Well it seems everything is trying to stop me from finishing this thing for an August 1 MOT. I'm halfway through making the loom, fitting throttle cables and generally getting it to a stage where carbs can be flitted and tuned.

But!

I have always been annoyed at the quality of the swingarm mods and that the pivot bolt is exceptionally tight. So taking it all apart has revealed that the ape who set it up for me has in fact just fitted some massive brass reducer sleeves to run directly on the pivot bolt - no bearings AT ALL.

It's with a top notch machinist now who is quoting £400 min to bore and fit a new sleeve with a proper set of bearings and a titanium pivot bolt - apparently the whole pivot area has been gorilla'ed and needs some serious reworking.

So I'm now 99% certain I'm going for a custom swingarm. Have pretty much settled on a metmachex - metmachex.net/swingarms/ a clean chunky box section, unbraced and with twin shock mounts obviously.

What should I consider in terms of mods regarding length and shock placement etc.

Thanks for hanging in there peeps - I know this must be getting boring...!

sounds like the same machinist that did that hideous first rear brake caliper hanger, or not?

in both cases: what a twat.

i agree that there are plenty of stock kawasaki arms that look a million dollar... the 1100/1220 ZRX comes to mind, is twin shock ready and has the trademark kawi eccentric chain adjuster. easy to attach shock mounts to a 83-85 gpz750 arm too. dont ask me why, but those arms have "the kawasaki look" for some reason, metmachex always looked to me a bit tacky and overdone.
would stick with stockish lengths for arm and shock mounts positions.

but make sure someone who knows what he's doing adapts it to your frame and wheel. centering the wheel on a new arm requires with bushes some knowledge.

Well it seems everything is trying to stop me from finishing this thing for an August 1 MOT. I'm halfway through making the loom, fitting throttle cables and generally getting it to a stage where carbs can be flitted and tuned.

But!

I have always been annoyed at the quality of the swingarm mods and that the pivot bolt is exceptionally tight. So taking it all apart has revealed that the ape who set it up for me has in fact just fitted some massive brass reducer sleeves to run directly on the pivot bolt - no bearings AT ALL.

It's with a top notch machinist now who is quoting £400 min to bore and fit a new sleeve with a proper set of bearings and a titanium pivot bolt - apparently the whole pivot area has been gorilla'ed and needs some serious reworking.

So I'm now 99% certain I'm going for a custom swingarm. Have pretty much settled on a metmachex - metmachex.net/swingarms/ a clean chunky box section, unbraced and with twin shock mounts obviously.

What should I consider in terms of mods regarding length and shock placement etc.

Thanks for hanging in there peeps - I know this must be getting boring...!

Sounds great! I know you've had some tough times and some doubt throughout this build but man is it paying off! The bike looks killer!

I clicked on m video to make sure the right link was in place, played it and another video popped up of a guy starting his bike for the first time in 20something years. he was thanking Mark1122, and a couple other guys from this forum, what a small world.

Try that.