Yea I knew I was gonna have to fab some stuff, my biggest problem right now is finding anyone local to machine the pivot bearings . Plenty of engine builders around but none I’ve talk to could turn down bar stock ☹️

ghostdive wrote: If you're planning on installing rearsets, your rear master will be mounted there - might take some clever mounting to make even that fit though, the 1000P frame is strange. You may also be able to have a channel cut/welded into the swingarm but that may be a bit thin, based on your photos.

As for the caliper, it shouldn't be too hard to make a bracket to relocate it to the bottom of the swingarm.

Yea I’ve seen this swingarm on this forum being used with the brake caliper bracket being modified and shock lugs being welded on but I can’t remember where I seen it or how old it was, just haven’t seen it on a police frame so the rear brake master and linkage would have to relocate so I could ( hopefully) keep the floorboards .

Hey all, I came across a 04 636 swing arm, I mocked it up just to see what all I would need to do, I know I got to find a local machine shop to fix pivot bushing I have an idea of what to tell them from pics I’ve found here, but I ain’t sure on my back brake caliper will be cause the shock lugs need to be there ( didn’t want the mono shock). My back master cylinder isn’t gonna work either, need some direction from more experience ppl. I’ll try and put pics in.

Small update... the Suzuki swingarm is firmly mounted to the GPz for the first time. Wheel bearings have arrived to accommodate the larger Suzuki axle. The wheel has been disassembled and I'm headed to the fabricator's shop Saturday morning to make up spacers for inside & outside the wheel & get the wheel centered in the swingarm.





And I started bleeding the front brakes... a tedious process with stone age tools & a completely empty system.

Onwards!

Drewgraham89 wrote: I would be fine with 18x3.5 I will probably be going with "sun" wheels. So from what I am gathering is any 40 spoke rim would work? Or does it have to be drilled in a certain fashion to be laced to the hub? Any idea on a spoke length? Tire size for a 18x3.5 on a stock swing arm? This is a cafe build getting an R1 front end assembly with a spoked rim. I have yet to purchase the rim and stem adapter so if someone has a good combination front rear that would be beneficial.

Ideally rims are drilled for the application. its possible to find rims that are drilled close enough that they can work but its not preferred. Additionally rims that are over something like 2.5"W are "deep draw" and require shorter spokes. Sun Rims are Buchanan's in house brand. Might as well call them and get it drilled correctly. A 140/70/18 is a popular choice for resto mods and will fit a 3.5"Rim. Any wider and you will end up with too much tire (for a 18" rim). Not sure if that will clear the stock 650 swingarm, however it clears a KZ1000 which has the same stock tire sizes as a 650.

There are many geometry changes occurring when you swap for that R1 front end. you need to check rake and trail numbers at the bare minimum. You can then use the front tire height to adjust to where you need to be. Many modern fork swaps are too short and the triple trees have too little fork offset to be effective without modifications. I am not familiar with R1 geometry so do your research - there is a lot more at play here than simply swapping forks.

I will say the weakest link link these bikes is the shocks and then the swing arm. without improving those as well any potential gains to suspension performance will be minimal. Its like skipping leg day at the gym, lol. Personally I would rather have a custom pair of shocks and emulators/springs in the stock forks than a USD front end and stock rear end. however if you are after the look than that is something else.

I’d say your best bet is to call Buchanan. There are different spoke patterns. Which would require differs spoke length. I don’t think the hub matters as long as it’s for the same number spokes, its the spoke pattern the rim is set up for. The hole direction needs to be correct on the rim to match the spoke pattern. Then that pattern will dictate the spoke length. Way beyond what I know. Do yourself a favor and call the experts before you buy. [hr]EDIT, sorry I just noticed you had a drum rear, this option won’t work. There is also the option of finding a rear R1 wheel and swapping out the bearings or axle with custome spacers so the R1 wheel would fit your swing arm

Hello all,

First post. Greetings from the Motor City.

AS I am a huge Mad Max / Road Warrior fan and grew up with Kawaski Kz's (I'm 53), I'm going to build a RestoMod KZ1000. I am in process of purchasing a 1981 KZ1000, that has allready had new rear swingarm setup. My question is: is there much of a frame difference between the 1981 and 1977-78 Kawasakis? I'm also looking at buying a 1977 parts bike with good tank/rear tail fin/side panels, and I'd like to install on the 1981 frame.....can anyone give me any feedback as to whether they will attach ok?

Thought you folks might be interested. In my younger days I restored lots of interesting bikes. A H2R racebike, Seeley Suzuki TR750, Rickman KZ 900, Suzuki Rotary and a Rokon Ranger to name a few. Getting married and raising a family ended that.

Recently one of my clients gave me a 1976 KZ900 that was completely worn out , but completely original. My goal was to do a complete frame up restoration but improve on anything I could to make the bike better. The motor was completely rebuilt with all the good stuff, crank welded and all the items related to the cam control updated,, better clutch actuator and such. I upgrad ed to Dyna ignition and coils.

The front forks were rebuilt with all new parts and Racetech emulators, tapered steering head bearings, swing arm needle bearings and stock looking ICON adjustable shocks.

Wheels were redone and new bearing installed, upgraded new style period type tires. Z900 dual disc conversion. I used the shorter turn signal stems and slightly lower period type handle bars.

I have to complete 4 pipe system, stock airbox and restored stock carburetors.

Its a work in process and keeping me sane through this covid mess. Here are a few pictures. If any one finds this interesting,
I can keep reporting on the progress.

So the majority of the front end components have arrived & dry fitted for the first time. Pretty excited that the wheel & brakes from an '84 bolted right up to her '81. Small issue with the speedo drive, but I'm sure evilbay has what I need.
The fender stands a little tall of the 18" front wheel, but she's not opposed to it. I offered to drop it down a little, but she likes it as is... for now.

Also set the GS swingarm in for the first time. There is a little interference with the battery box/brake stay, but nothing a hacksaw won't fix.

Be safe guys.

Another project, I am going to paint the black in spokes. They are bringing some big bucks! Those were on the red dragbike when I bought it. That's the same bike with the spokes and GS1100 swing arm.