Use the search for swingarm. Go back through10-15 recent pages in the projects section and read through the threads that have multiple pages. You'll see some near bolt on swingarms and some stockers that have been extended and braced. My stock swingarm was super loose in the bushings. I think a lot are from what I've read. That needs to be addressed at some point. If you're handy with fabricating and feel good about riding something you've welded, or have a qualified welder at your disposal that you trust, you could do a lot to the stock swing arm with little money and few headaches. And it could look cool to boot. Look at some of the stuff Les (Les Holt) and Leon (531BlackBanshee) have created for their bikes and others on this forum. Perhaps they could help you out, if nothing else as your inspiration (because they do fantastic work).

Did you get a seat pan (I thought I read so in your build thread)? If so take it to the salvage yard and compare it to other seats. If not, measure your hinge points and see if you can find something. Maybe they'll let you take it home for a fit check and exchange/return if it doesn't work. If you find a seat at the salvage that fits, but you don't like the style, reshape the foam and have it covered. You can find budget upholsterers that might keep you under $100, but you get what you pay for. I paid a lot more than that, but it's high quality work and fabric. I think the seats Z1 Ent sells look pretty awesome, and you can hardly beat their price for a brand new seat.

Picture of mild custom KZ's? Again, start digging through the projects threads. I probably spent a month reading threads in the evenings in bed. You're spending a small (probably more than you want though) amount of hard earned money on something you want to be proud of. It's worth your time to get a complete game plan on how you want to spend your money.

Alan

Stretching a stock swingarm would be free if you can fab it, but would be a little costly if you had to pay someone to do it. A GS1100E swingarm is a popular swap. You can use your stock wheel, it is aluminum, and it gives you about 2" of stretch. You will have to switch to different shocks though. But since it's still popular, they tend to sell for more than a swinger off a new bike. There's one on Ebay now for 150. I bought a GPZ 750 swingarm for 20 bucks, but I bet it'll cost me more than the GS would by the time I finally fit it.

No idea on what might fit direct, but a seat from a ZR1100 or ZRX would keep the KZ look while updating it a little.


And for your enjoyment, KZ from Biker Boyz.

Made my way back into the chilly garage today. Luckily I had enough propane left to get me almost all the way through the tasks I did today.

I was browsing eBay a good bit ago for some modern-ish rearsets for the GPz since the upper left mount for the stock bracket was interfering with the swingarm. I was looking at the cheap Chinese ones when I stumbled upon some "ZX12 CG REARSETS ADJUSTABLE" for $99.99 or Make Offer so I made an offer...and the seller accepted it.

For the left side, I placed the rearset as far back as I could so that I could see how close to the swingarm the lever bracket would be. Then I set the right to as far forward as possible to see side-cover interference with the master cylinder mount. Then it was a balance game to make sure I could place the mounting bungs in the same spot on both sides of the chassis. Here's the final result.





The Gilles rearsets came missing a few parts, including a left peg and shifter lever, so I had to order a lever bearing, a toe peg, and shift lever. I could have ordered a left peg but I had some left over aftermarket pegs from my Kz900 project that I decided to try and use. I cut off the pivot and then drilled and tapped for a M8 bolt. Works well and was way cheaper than ordering an actual replacement peg.


I fired up the Hobart welder and finished welding the mounting bungs. I stood on the pegs and felt no flexing and heard no cracking/groaning from the welds. I believe they're solid enough for me.

Final result...



And I couldn't help myself so here's a small sneak peek of something I will be fabbing toward the end of the build.


Later, Doug

Hello, ! The kawtana is deep in the shed buried in snow sorry to say. Working on the tank, tail piece and side cover right now. Just bought another GSX swingarm to get the bushings and center spacer. Did see some programs that will move and work linkage ideas.

Hello, new to forum here. Have built a few bikes over the years and used two drag a h2750. The new project is a 1982 ltd 750. Bought it as a basket and some parts. My goal is to graft the rear end off a GSX 600. I have the swingarm in the frame and that's as far as I have got. I have the rear wheel, shock,all the linkage. I'm not sure about the the mounting of the new system.as far as I can tell the swingarm is about 4 inches longer than stock.i am in question about the stock rake, ride height and all.really don't want to give up and put the stock shocks back on. Any words of window from those who have been down this road would be great. All the body work will be done in hydro dipped carbon fiber by my shop. Have a KZ 1000 seat and tail section, Gpz pistons, cams and carbs.
The head is being ported by SC4 RACING. I have a ways to go,just thought I would share my plan. Happy new year to all.

Ahh, double post, sometimes posting from a phone sucks.

I'm wanting to do basically a stocker just a bit of frame bracing and a custom swingarm for the most part. Probably wont be a keeper but just one to play with, dont want to pay the 10k+ they hit on ebay or craigslist, never would be able to, good paying job or not, I wouldnt consciously be able to spend that on anything and be happy with it. And I feel like if i dont get to one sooner rather than later i would have to re-import one

Got a couple more pics to share.

Here's another angle on the OW31 seat:

One of the issues with the OW31 "Large" is actually the size... it's a little big for some tanks. That's why I'm not going to use it here on the h2. The seat makes the tank look small.

However, I have some good news as today! I've located a tank for my KZ that I believe will go perfectly with this seat. It's from a 79 KZ1000 MkII ST. I love it because of it's "squared off" shape and because it's one of the largest capacity KZ tanks "out there". Score!! :laugh:

Pics when I get it in my hands.




Here's some more inspiration:

Love the clip-ons, front end and seat among other things. I think the swing arm would be a little long for my purposes, but i love the view from this angle. Sweeeeet!!

531blackbanshee wrote: you are right about the general lust that bike inspires :evil: !
i can't wait to follow along.

leon

Yessir! I hope you're a patient man... it's gonna be slow going.

Nice z1r's btw! Cool blog as well.




One of the things I dislike about some of the mono conversions I see, are the extended swing arms. I "get" that some really want the dragbike look, but I'm unwilling to go with a longer swing arm just because most of them are simply longer than the KZ. Considering what it will do to the handling, I want to find something that will "fill the bill" but maintain a stock or close-to-stock swing arm/wheelbase length.

When I went to a mono set up on the '74 h2 750, I found a '86 FZ600 swing arm was a perfect fit for the frame pivot point and for swing arm length. I suppose I could go the same route here, but I'd like to consider other options since I have time.

Any suggestions? :whistle:

Hey guys, I haven't been on in a while
I bought gsxr600 front forks and a gsxr750 swingarm from StreetfighterKZ and I got the forks mounted up for now but I'm still waiting on the new bearing set which should be here in s couple of days
rims and tires are going to be special ordered because I want wire and I can't stand the gsxr wheels
also waiting on the rear shock then ill start on cutting up the bike to make the mounts for the mono shock
Also started on a little anger management for the tank but that's a new topic
Here's some pics let me know what you guys think

I'm doing a 1327cc KZ motor. It's going to be an occasional show off ride. I have the 83-84 GPZ1100 head that Larry Cavanaugh is going to do up for me with a little oversized intake and exhaust valves, kibblewhite springs and Star titanium retainers. Web Cams 435, MTC 10.5 to 1 pistons. I am also setting it up for 300 tire with jackshaft swingarm. I know a guy with a KZ1000 crank that has the Falicon 16 tooth center and has been welded and thrust bearing installed. The price seems pretty good. Anybody think this is the crank I need?