New Frame?

I was thinking of getting another frame for my 1982 KZ550 LTD because mine was modified (not very well, I might add.) by the prior owner.
I know of someone that has a 1983 KZ550 (LTD??) frame for sale with the title. I want to know if my swingarm, engine and everything else will bolt up without mods since the '83 was a shaft drive and my '82 is a chain drive?
Any help you can give me would be great.
Thanx everyone

Anyone,...anyone?
If anyone knows, or even has an idea about this let me know.
Thanx again:)

I'm fairly certain you're going to need to use both the front bevel gears AND swingarm from the donor bike to be able to mount your engine into that frame. And then you're still going to need to modify the engine cases to accept the bevel gears.
The swingarm on the shafties also houses the driveshaft itself and is large in diameter and width, therefore the pivot point where the swingarm mounts into the frame is also wider.
At least it's that way between my ZN700 and a KZ700 which share almost identical engines.

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2006/03/13 00:39

I doubt it will work. The chain drive bikes have a through bolt and sleeve to mount the swing arm. The shaft drive bikes, generally and according to kawasaki parts diagrams, have a pivot on either side of the swing arm and pass the driveshaft through the pivot axis.

parts diagrams
buykawasaki.com/
select 'order service manuals'
follow the green brick road

If you're up to some welding and want to update, the late 80's gpx600 have a tube frame. I've seen a number of them with blown engines, often cracked water jacket in cylinder head, for sale cheap. They have a nice toaster tank and IMO look good with the plastics removed.

-Duck

Thanks guys, I just wanted to make sure before I got caught up in a lot of fab work. I think I'm gonna wait a few weeks before I start looking for a new frame, because the KZ750 needs alot to get her road worthy and I can just keep riding the KZ550 as is for now.

Once again thanks for the post and info.

Ride safe

Post edited by: NOS, at: 2006/03/13 13:47