79 LTD 1000 Rake Question

The 77-80 LTD 1000 have a listed castor angle of 64 degrees with 16" rear wheel and 19" front wheel.

The standard KZ has a 27 degree angle with 18" rear, 19" front.

All these years I thought the difference in angle was achieved from the smaller back wheel changing the angle of the steering stem in relation to the ground. I did not think there was a difference in the actual frames other than different tabs welded here and there. I now believe the frames are actually different.

Tonight, I setup my 79 LTD 1000 frame on blocks, set it to 9" off the floor and leveled it. I put an angle finder on the steering stem and sure enough, it read 64 degrees.

Does anyone know for sure about the frames?

Can't help you any on the frame info, but I can tell you that during my research on converting from a 16" rear to a 18" rear I discovered there is an average of 3/8" difference in diameter between a 130/90/16 and a 120/90/18.

I am looking at my ltd owners manual and it show's the frame to be at 64 degree castor and 90mm(3.5 in)trail.

64 degrees from horizontal is 26 degrees from vertical.