Replacement forks

I have a 1983 KZ250 LTD but it has the wrong forks installed, from a dirt bike. I suspect a wreck.
I found two forks but I'm not sure which is the better choice.
80' Kawasaki KZ440 FRONT END
80' Kawasaki KZ250 LTD FRONT END

Any help with this choice is greatly appreciated.

are the 250 and 400 forks the same diameter? are you getting the entire front end (steering stem, triples, wheel, axel, speedo gear, forks), or just the forks?

if you are getting the whole front end, then the only question would be if the 400's steering stem would fit into the 250 frame. if you are getting just the forks, then are they the same diameter? will the 400 forks fit into the 250 triples? what is the difference in length because that will affect steering geometry.

I don't know anything about the 250. you might find some answers on the www.buykawasaki.com parts diagrams.

oh, and if after that you still aren't sure, get the 80 250 forks because they will probably fit. might need new oil and fork seals though

Thanks for the info lifeliberty.

One guy has both sets of forks. They are the complete forks with steering stem, upper plate and forks.
He finally replied to my inquiries and told me the 440 forks are 1" wider than the 250 and 2" longer.
I think I will go with the 250 forks.

I looked at the forks on buykawasaki but I'm confused about the part numbering. The first part or the part number is the same but the numbers after the (-) is different. 1983 fork top = 44039-1067 & 1980 fork top = 44039-078 but they look the same in the diagram.

I picked a tough project to start with.

The first number identifies the class ( fork tube/seals/etc) while the second number identifies the particular part for a specific model. Lots of different models will share the first part of the number, but only parts that are identical will share the second part of the number.

Just because the part number is different does not mean it won't fit, it could be anything from a minor detail (like the finish) to a total difference in design.

For fork tubes, you can see if they are the same diameter by comparing the part number for the fork seals, if both use the same number then they are the same diameter. Makes you feel like a detective trying to figure out what will fit :laugh: :laugh:

Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/04/10 23:25

Thanks steell.


Looks like the old "try it and see" process will have to do.

Do you know if the Kawasaki cross-reference software is worth the money? I posted a question in another kawasaki forum when I needed a starter solenoid and I got a list of part numbers from a member who looked it up using the Zedder software. I got a replacement part from a GPZ900 and it is exactly what I needed.

Nice bike too (KZ750G) but I would have liked to see the "before" pictures.

Snafoo wrote:

Thanks steell.
Nice bike too (KZ750G) but I would have liked to see the "before" pictures.

No problem, here is the pic from the eBay ad when I bought it. Non runner, but I got it to start and run (I rode it) on one cylinder



Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/04/11 15:52

Nice job! That makes me feel a little better but this is what I'm working with.....

(finding the "right" parts seems the toughest part)




Post edited by: Snafoo, at: 2006/04/11 17:59