Differences between an LTD and a KZ900?

I've got an old KZ900 frame that bears a manufactured date of 1/76. I bought it many years ago for the parts. I also have a KZ900 manufactured in 6/76. It is the standard bike with a drum brake at the rear. I'm working on another bike that needs some sort of generic rear master cylinder.
This old parts bike has been modified. I can see that the mounts for the rear master cylinder were welded on as part of an effort to add a disk brake to the rear of this bike. This master cylinder is of a vertical design. I'm thinking that it's the standard master cylinder from a LTD model.
Does anybody know a part or model number for this master cylinder.?



TIA
Bill

Hi Bill, according to CMNSL this is a "one year only" part so I guess super rare 

 

It is indeed a one year only Wookie and if you need a rebuild kit it uses the same parts as the later KZ1000 LTD rear master but the master is shaped different, the front master is also a one year only and the front master on my 76 LTD has a 11/16" piston which a rebuild kit is a hard to find item.

In addition. The metal rod is specific to the LTD, it's longer. Also used a thinner head shouldered pivot bolt for attachment to brake pedal. Reservoir cap is the same as the front master cylinder, front is a 5/8" master for the duel disc brakes. Front calipers the same as the KZ900 and early KZ1000 but since mounted behind the fork lowers used different hard line brake piping tubes.   

asphalt900 wrote:

In addition. The metal rod is specific to the LTD, it's longer. Also used a thinner head shouldered pivot bolt for attachment to brake pedal. Reservoir cap is the same as the front master cylinder, front is a 5/8" master for the duel disc brakes. Front calipers the same as the KZ900 and early KZ1000 but since mounted behind the fork lowers used different hard line brake piping tubes.   

The front master cylinder on my 76 LTD has a 11/16" piston dia. it's stamped on the bottom, I had to use a rebuild kit from a 76 Goldwing. I must have an ultra rare master when I ordered a rebuild kit for it Brakecrafters sent a 5/8" kit, it was a no go, I worked with the folks at Brakecrafters to come up with the Goldwing Master rebuild kit. The front master on the later 77 and up LTD is indeed a 5/8" piston dia.

The piston on the left is 5/8" the one on the right is 11/16"

Hey Moose! Seemed like quite a quest to find bits for that master. Hate to say it though, it's not an LTD900 76-77. They never had that extra molding for use of a brake switch and if the background represents the reservoir stuff, they didn't start using the plastic trapezoid cup till 1978. The LTD used a 5/8" taller solid smooth reservoir. Yes still unique though. Unlike the accessory 5/8" master used on the Z1 here in the states, some Euro countries it was standard equipment. Heres the piston kit, genuine K. And a couple original examples.   

Hey Clay, I know you know your shit when it comes to these old bikes much more than I do but on the other hand I've owned this bike for almost 48 years and nobody knows it better than me, I bought it when I was 19 I'm almost 67 years young right now. This is the master that came with my bike as new, did mama Kaw stick it too me ? is it a prototype ? who knows, you and I both know the 76 b1 is a true limited edition bike with a bunch of one off parts. Another thing I noticed on the front brake calipers the piston is a bit larger on one side than the other, why did they that ? who knows I forget which side is which but it's another thing I noticed and have seen it mentioned here by Larry C the guy that did the head work here years ago or maybe it was Patton.

Pay no mind to the trapezoid parts, Brakecrafters told me to keep the 5/8" rebuild kit and sent me the 11/16" kit from a goldwing for free, I had trapezoid in need of a rebuild so I did both at the same time.