Kz1300 drive

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and I'm planning to buy a kz1300 because of the six pack it comes with. Now, the reason why I'm starting this topic may sound weird, but really, I couldn't find any piece of really useful info, so I would really appreciate some advice from you, guys.
The thing is I want to build a lightweight race car and use the kawa engine to power it, but I might have a problem with the shaft drive: the plan is, in fact, to mount the engine longitudinally, which wouldn't be an issue with a chain drive, since I'd "just" have to attach a shaft to where the chain sprocket comes out, but what about the kz1300 architecture? I mean, should I have to try to convert it to chain to convert it to shaft, or does the primary shaft protrude if I remove rhe gearbox cover, thus making it virtually possible for it to drive another shaft?
Sounds contorted, doesn'it?
Anyways, thanks for any suggestions you may want to give me.

Just some links & a cam chain tensioner note.
motorcyclespecs.co.za --- KZ1300 specifications --- 120 HP

Partzilla --- 1980 KZ1300-A2

KZ1300.com
There was a pretty good 1300 page several years ago that either changed hands or is no longer available.
I'm not sure if this is the replacement site or a different site altogether.
Cam chain tensioner. About the only thing I know about the 1300 from the old site is that the cam chain tensioner can be problematic or something. I don't recall any specifics. just something to be aware of.

You did not mention the year or model number, but assuming the front bevel drive is nearly identical on all of them, you can see in the link below that the output shaft gear (between #5 & 6), is splined inside, just sliding over the splines on the shaft. You should be able to make that conversion pretty easily.. There ate quite a few unique parts that may be difficult to source. You may want to spend some time searching the archived discussions here. I seem to remember a couple of old build threads that may be useful.
Please keep us posted on the progress of this adventure.

www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/...VEL+GEARS/parts.html

Keep in mind that the splined portion of the shaft is fairly short, so you may need to run a two-piece shaft with a splined joint in the middle, depending on the suspension setup you will use.

Thank you! I'll try to post the same topic on the 1300 page

Sorry guys, my phone seems to have displayed only the first reply as I opened the page...thanks everyone for the hints, they made me a little more confident about a positive outcome

This funny little car is actually powered with 2 ( yup two) kz1300 engines mounted in the rear..



The Sabarro Super 12. No idea how it was done, but apparently each engine powered one wheel.

The shaft output could be used to drive a jack-shaft with a sprocket, then a chain drive to your rear end. Probably the easiest way to do it. The engine would be longitudinal that way. The output is a simple prop shaft so you can bolt right up to it where the drive shaft would go.