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Suggestions to make KZ1000 lighter
- Exitpupil
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79 KZ1000 LTD B3, 1075 kit, BS34 carbs, high velocity ported heads, K410 cams, V&H pipe w/custom baffle
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- Bad Kaw
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- Flying Squirell
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We need to know the "what" on your mods; such as 'what' sort of modification do you want to do. Do you want to maintain the same vintage 'look', so you want similar looking parts? If so, I don't think you're going to save any weight.
If you are considering switching to later-model wheels, forks, and swingarms then there are some simple strategic points to pay attention to.
Front end: the easiest way to address the front end is to replace your front end with an entire 'front clip' (the triple clamp on down); this way all you have to do is modify the clamp-to-be in a way that it bolts on. The remainder of the parts will bolt to your triple tree b/c they're made for it. There are several model of motorcycles that are easier to swap parts from (gixxers, etc...).
Address the rear end of the bike in the same way by installing a 'rear clip' (the swing-arm on back). Again there are pit-falls and considerations to be made. Rear wheel width (if the 'new' rear wheel is significantly wider you will need a spaced front sprocket at a minimum, if you go hog-wild you will need an outboard bearing support plate). Other considerations on the rear-end: single-shock conversion (requires a mount welded to the frame for the top mount for the single rear shock) or dual-shocks (requires rear-shock mounts be welded to the swingarm if it doesn't have them); 520 or 530 chain. One simpl solution to the swingarm is a GS1100E swingarm which is wider-rear-wheel friendly and already has rear-shock mounts; but then you would need to piece the rest of the rear-end together (a catch 21 situation) ... frustrating if you are new to the sport.
ON YOUR SIDE: There are LOTS of bikes in the projects forum that have done all of the above and have documented the progress step-by-step. I have gleened much wisdom from the likes of Solumnrus, plummen, steell, and many other gurus-of-the-lathe/mill/welder. In short: you're in the right place.
-KR
Now: give us an idea of what you want to do with your bike. Remember: it's YOURS...do what you want with it.
78 Kawasaki Z1R
81 Kawasaki KZ1000J (mods)
82 Kawasaki ELR Clone (1000 J)
82 Kawasaki KZ750R1/GPz750 ELR-ed
70 Kawasaki KV75
83 Honda CB1100F (few mods)
79 Suzuki GS1000 (rolling frame / project / junk)
84 Suzuki GS1150ES (modified project)
83 Yamaha XJ900R (project / junk)
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- pstrbrc
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- '81 GPz 1100 project
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And if spirited street riding is what you're looking for, wouldn't ADDING weight through proper gusseting make sense?
While one was it it, how much does the starter weigh? I mean, without getting into serious stuff, how much "easy" weight is there to lose on one of these?
\'81 GPz 1100 project
Elkhart, Kansas USA
\"Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.\" Groucho Marx
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- bountyhunter
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as cruel as that is..... body weight is a big deal when it's sitting on a 450 pound machine.thats easy keep my ol 200 lb fat ass off of it!:laugh:
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- bountyhunter
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How about a list of suggestions to make my 79 KZ1000LTD lighter please.
If it has stock exhausts, they weigh a ton.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- timebomb33
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1973 z1 2-1974z1-a,2-1975z1-b dragbikes1015cc+1393cc, 1977kz1000,1978kz1000,1981kz1000j, 1997 zx-11, 2000 z12r,1428turbo nitrous pro-mod and a shit load of parts thats all for now leader sask.,CANADA
I THINK MY POWERBAND BROKE
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- PLUMMEN
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doyou still have the parts from that setup?I usually like to start lightening with the unsprung weight by using different calipers and discs. Often times the newer discs and brake calipers(dual discs) weight less than the stock single disc alone. Using newer lighter calipers and lighter discs will not only give better braking, but will also give better handling through less unsprung weight.
I had this set up on my 76 900 for a while and it made a very noticable difference in handling and in braking. Aluminum rims (on a spoked wheel) will also save some weight.
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- PLUMMEN
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Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- bountyhunter
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try psychological warfare, put some kz650 emblems on it!works for the fat women on the streetcorners who think they are all that just because the can somehow grease up their size 14 ass into a size 5 dress! :ohmy: :huh: :dry: :blink: :blush: :S :woohoo: ive oficially gone blind visualizing that one!:laugh:
Remember the classic episode where poor Al Bundy had to squeeze some cows size 14 foot into a size 9 shoe.... and after all the fighting to get her foot in the shoe looked like a stuffed sausage.
She limps a few feet in the shoe, obviously in great pain and utters those immortal words:
"Get me a half size smaller...":woohoo:
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- Old Man Rock
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That's not a small bike... :whistle:
For our Canadian KZ brothers, she'll keep you warm all winter long.... sonsofabitch, she'd be able to keep whole house/igloo warm.
NOTE: Keep fridge full of Moose Head beer for the winter.
Remember, a 2 at 10 is a 10 at 2....
I know, with all the rear modifications going on and with an abundance of old KZ swing arms, strap one of those arms on your ass so you don't fall in to the abliss. :blink:
And Patton: WTF is that.... Is that your pig with a wig?
OMFG, you're one sick bastard... hahahahahahaha
OMR
1976 KZ900-A4
MTC 1075cc.
Camshafts: Kawi GPZ-1100 .375 lift
Head: P&P via Larry Cavanaugh
ZX636 suspension
MIKUNI, RS-34'S...
Kerker 4-1, 1.5" comp baffle.
Dyna-S E.I.
Earls 10 row Oil Cooler
Acewell 2802 Series Speedo/Tach
Innovate LC1 Wideband 02 AFR meter
Phoenix, Az
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- PLUMMEN
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Al Bundy and Red from that 70s show hve always been my heroes!:laugh:PLUMMEN wrote:
try psychological warfare, put some kz650 emblems on it!works for the fat women on the streetcorners who think they are all that just because the can somehow grease up their size 14 ass into a size 5 dress! :ohmy: :huh: :dry: :blink: :blush: :S :woohoo: ive oficially gone blind visualizing that one!:laugh:
Remember the classic episode where poor Al Bundy had to squeeze some cows size 14 foot into a size 9 shoe.... and after all the fighting to get her foot in the shoe looked like a stuffed sausage.
She limps a few feet in the shoe, obviously in great pain and utters those immortal words:
"Get me a half size smaller...":woohoo:
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- riverroad
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- 1980 1000LTD B4
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Warm in the winter, shady in the summer.
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