The GSX600/750 has a steel swing arm. Why not use the 83-85 GPz750 swing arm with the GSX600/750 wheel? I used a 2000 GSX750 front end and both wheels for a 750 four conversion, then turned around and sold the frame so I still have the parts.

The frame number would help narrow the search down. The engine serial number will also give you lots of information - the stuff before the 'E' is what's important.

I've got a '77 KZ1000A1. I'm looking at the pictures to see what is the same as mine, but keep in mind that most of the liter-class bikes (650, 900, 1000, maybe 1100) from this era used a LOT of the same parts. FOR THE MOST PART the frames were largely the same for all of these bikes, as were the forks, swing arm, brakes, etc. Anyplace where I say "'77" I mean that era of '75-ish to '79-ish.

The single front brake with the dual rotor LTD wheels is one of the things that I've done on that bike. I've added an LTD front brake system to mine to get the dual front brakes onto the calipers.

The seat is definitely off a different bike - the rear fender mount is exposed, and normally it's covered by the seat on the original A1 seat pan. There are aftermarket seat covers that will convert the flat seat to an LTD seat, but I think the pan is from another bike, so that's probably why the LTD seat.

The carbs are the older mechanical slide carbs that are stock on the '76 through '78.

The front brake master cylinder is the older '77 era. The gauges look like the standard gauges from the '77.

The rear fender looks identical to the '77, but the missing front fender and missing 'Kawasaki' cover on the front forks don't say anything conclusive.

The tank and fuel cap are right for a '77.

The rear brake master cylinder is definitely different than my '77, but there appears to be some bolt-on metal there that could mean the rear MC is from something else.

The headlight mounts are the same as on my '77 (except that mine has a Vetter now). The headlight looks like it's not chrome, but it seems to me that this was an option, rather than a differentiator.

The "DOHC" point cover was a specific part from the '77 era bikes IIRC.

There's something missing under the left side cover. That's where the rear MC sits on mine,

Fuel petcock is a mechanical petcock from the '77 era.

The handlebars look after-market - pseudo "cafe-racery". The throttle is a standard dual-cable system (which makes sense with those carbs).

Update on the build. Should be picking up my powder coated frame, swing arm, center stand very soon. Ordered a few new parts such as; chain, all balls steering bearings, fork seals (installed) and swing arm bearings. Also made some progress on the tank. After lots of ideas and research I plan on doing a bare metal tank, any advice on coating or clear coating to prevent rust and have a nice appearance would be appreciated. Pics are the tanks progress. Still have a little more sanding to do to get the grain on the metal where I want it but loving the appearance thus far. In my previous post I put up a picture of the powder coating it was thinking about and is what I've chosen to do. Should be a good contrast to the bare metal tank.
Last picture is the powder coating that will be on the frame, swingarm and center stand .

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