KZ1000 Modern Front End Swap

Hello KZR users, I'm new to this site and I could use some advice. I recently acquired a 1981 Kawasaki LTD 1000 and I'm looking to do a front end swap. This is my first motorcycle project so I have many questions. I need to do this swap very soon because I am moving in about a month and I won't have my tools readily available. I've mostly been looking at GSXR and ZX front ends, but I'm not sure how complete I need them to be. Some still have the clip-on bars (which I don't plan on using,) and others are missing the triple trees. Will I even be able to use the stock GSXR/ZX triples? Also there's lots of talk about swapping stems/bearings etc... I guess what I'm trying to say is I need a front end that will be the closest thing to a bolt-on as possible. If anyone has any advice or has possibly done this before I would really appreciate the help. Thanks

I used a ZX9R upsy dupsy front end on my CSR. It took a stem swap then bolted straight in. I went with a complete front end (wheel/forks/brakes etc)as it was a lot quicker/cheaper/easier than trying to mix and match parts.
The top yoke was already drilled to accept normal bars. I also had to remodel the steering lock tab to avoid banging into the front of the tank.It wasnt difficult though I have lost a bit of the turning radius.
From what I understand ,the GSXR is also a popular swap but the ZXR has the longer forks. I still have very low ground clearance under the exhaust and might go with fork extenders ( cheaper than a dropped top yoke) but I want to get it on the road first and see how it goes.
Another thing is that once you do the front,youre going to want to do the back as well. (matching wheels?) and the ZXR front mudguard is fugly,youll probably want to change that ( I built one from fiberglass)
Thats about it . Its all in my thread somewhere (link below) if you want to look for it.
Latest is,I ordered a ZXR speedo cable which is too short by about 5cms. I reckon the CSR will be too long so Im looking for one in the middle. 'Z Power' are going to sort me out with something.

Thanks for the reply, I'll keep an eye out for a ZXR front end. I can use a ZXR swingarm with some modification as well right? Here is the bike as of now:

No idea about the ZXR back end. Youll have to ask someone else about that. I used a GSXR600 swingarm which slotted straight in and only needed a couple of washers either side to take up the slack.
Youll need to think about the chain run .Not sure what tyre a ZXR has (180?) then youll be looking at either cutting out some clearance from the frame or running an offset back wheel.Not sure what else. Have a look through the forum,theres a lot of good ideas and Im sure someone has fitted a ZXR back end at some point.

it's so refreshing to see someone slick off the sub-frame,can't wait to see where you go from here.
do you know what header you plan to run?
here is an old members bike i helped him convert.





this is using a zx636 front end.
the zrx swinger can work with some mods .

keep us posted,

leon

Wow, that bike looks mean! I've seen a lot of your projects Leon and I gotta say, beautiful fab work man. As for the exhaust, I've been eyeballing the Vance & Hines 4 into 1 but I'm a little worried about ground clearance with those. The bike will sit a good bit lower with the new front end and the 4 into 1s give you less clearance than a couple of 2 into 1s. Maybe it's not that big of a deal, but I'm more than open to recommendations.

thanks for the kind words man.the sidewinder in the pic has ground clearance but hinders right hand cornering clearance.you have to slow down slow enough not to touch it down or it will punt you out into the bean fields(ask lesholt).
imho the marving 4 into 1 offers the best ground clearance.
exactrep.com/acatalog/Kawasaki2.html

i've always kept this pic around thinking i might try this design if i wanted dual outlets on a custom.



leon

Man, I hadn't thought about that episode for a while!!! I changed exhaust so I've not had that problem since!

Les Holt

Christmas came early! My 2013 ZX10R front end has arrived. Now I need to find a top yoke I can put my bar mounts on. Any recommendations?

z1000 perhaps?

otherwise a lil machine and fab.
leon

MoparMan777 wrote: Christmas came early! My 2013 ZX10R front end has arrived. Now I need to find a top yoke I can put my bar mounts on. Any recommendations?

Can you not just bolt a pair of risers on the ZXR top yoke? Thats how mine came in the post.I thought it was OEM until I noticed the holes hadnt been drilled straight. Its only noticable from undernath so I left it as is. Works fine.