Ok finally got some time.
My father and my uncle were in love with the KZ650. So much so that they spirited away a couple of bikes and a bunch of parts. Both had the intention of resurrecting one from the ashes of both. They wanted an original green one. Both have passed from this mortal garage but their project is now underway. Only one frame was titled and contained a very shot engine with a very crispy wiring harness. The other has a nice engine with 16x miles and a great harness. I also have a pretty good completely stock exhaust, a set of Lester Mags, a Derale oil cooler and a lot of other bits and pieces. Just before he passed my father picked up a set of bodywork in original green in very good shape so the project begins.

I rolled out the titled frame and I don't know why but decided to get the wheels sorted out. I pulled the Lesters and slapped a nice set of Avon Roadriders on them. New brake shoes, progressive rear shocks and wheel bearings and she is a rolling chassis. The swing arm seems fine but I am contemplating just changing that bearing too. I also want to make sure the steering bearings have been updated too but might wait until I get some progressive springs for the forks.

The headlight and ears had taken a ding and were tweaked so I got a set of universal holders and a old Suzuki small headlight was fitted. I'm not sold on it yet but for now OK. Had a set of handlebars in the larder to replace the bent ones. Also a set of small LED blinkers. So here it is as it now sits. I will soon swap the powerplants and wiring. Then clean up a set of carbs and fit the exhaust. Don't hold your breath as I am slow and busy. But it will be done by summers end. I'm lucky I have a 81 650csr bobber to play with while she gets done. Just thought I'd stick a placeholder here for now. Enjoy your rides and ride safe. Wish I had my father and my uncle here to bust my chops and prod me along. Later...

They should really sell this green again. It really is beautiful.

Maybe the wife wants it out of the backyard because it attracts chicks and she gets jealous. In case that isn't what's happening, shoot him in the leg for me too. Troy341

Troy,

Mr. Dave is trying to break my heart with the other bike sale.

I am going to need to shoot him in the leg now.

There are many that I have read, but this was the first to pop into my head. Donor bike was an earlier 90's GSXR 750 I believe, but shouldn't be much different. The concept is identical.
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/340793-tes...kz1000-fighter-build

I have been scouring the buidls threads, but cannot find what I am looking for. I am installing a 01 GSXR1000 swinger on my 1981 KZ750 and am wondering what everyone has done to the pivot area to mate the 2 up. I am wanting to use the stock pivot bolt and have a few ideas, but would like to see what the guys on here have done. Thanks

Ted, I can't believe that you are selling your good bike. HERE Need a specific amount to finish your KZ? Troy341

Get a better machinist,He'll know right away if its bent when he runs a hone through it. :laugh:
That was common practice back in the day when switching from bushings in z1 swingarms to needle bearings,also when swithing from single needle bearings to double needle bearings on the early 76-77 kz900/1000 swingarms back in the late 70s-early 80s.

Waste of time and money to get it honed, if the sleeve slides through the bearings then it's straight, if not then throw it away and get another one.
Honing removes metal, and there goes your bearing fit.

74ullc wrote: I went to the local dealer to get the washer. While there a couple techs came out to look at it and they both think I'm also missing....

42032-081
COLLAR,REAR AXLE

They said it looks like the swingarm is pinched in too far. That part is obsolete so hopefully its not really missing.

Looks like I'll be pulling to check, going to change the bearings while in there too.

Post a picture of what youve got once its apart

I went to the local dealer to get the washer. While there a couple techs came out to look at it and they both think I'm also missing....

42032-081
COLLAR,REAR AXLE

They said it looks like the swingarm is pinched in too far. That part is obsolete so hopefully its not really missing.

Looks like I'll be pulling to check, going to change the bearings while in there too.