1976 KZ1000a wire spoke wheels to alum. wheels???

Well, I am starting a ground up resto on my newly purchased 1977 KZ1000a bike.
First thing I need is to do away with the wire spoke wheels cause the spokes are all rusted and flaking and I cannot see just sanding them down and painting them.
Questions I have are:

What year model KZ mag rims will interchange on my bike?

Will my sproket, rubber isolator, disc brake caliper, axles bolts and hub stuff interchange or will I need everything off another KZ bike with factory alum. mag rims?

I am working through that same project on my `77 KZ1000 A1, I'm using a `81 KZ750E as my donor. It is also allowing me to switch to dual front calipers, so the forks have the correct mounts and the swingarm fits the rear wheel.

I lucked out got the whole bike for $100.

Good thing, by the time a replace wheel bearings, replace the tires, rebuild the forks, rebuild the calipers, rebuild the master cylinder, blah,blah,blah,,,,,,

:side:

If you can find wheels for a KZ1000, you will have a little easier time with the swap, different width on the calipers and rotors, and alignment for the rear drive sprocket.

the word mags for this era bike may be more close to what you are meaning to ask?...after market spoke rims and other oem bike rims are aluminum too some...that said...the kz1000 early models that first had mags will swap best with your bike....also your bikes yr and model" newly purchased 1976 KZ1000a bike".are off in your post and that is the kicker to knowing for real which brakes and forks /rims ect you have now...also the rims you have now that are icky can be found all year long on line- used in great shape and with the hardware often for a song....why re invent the wheel? just get some nice clean cheap rims and keep the orig look some.....same searches will turn up complete ....kz1000 78....mag set ups complete with all the goodies often

Highlander wrote: ...1976 KZ1000a....

Could this be a 1977 KZ1000-A, or maybe a 1977 KZ1000-A motor in a 1976 KZ900 frame?

Is there a label on the steering neck showing VIN, etc?
The VIN and motor serial number may be compared in zedder.com.

Lots of good info on kawasaki.com, including parts diagrams, part numbers, models sharing same part, availability, etc.
Here's a link for help with navigating the site and finding information.
kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=13&id=376734

Good Fortune!

Just put a disc brake swingarm and wheels off an LTD model, that will give you the wheels, disc brakes and all. Might want to change to the bronze swingarm bushings too

OK. Thanks guys for all the responses. I have updated my original post.
My bike would be a 1977 model. KZ1000. No motor swaps. All original one owner, bought locally at the local Kawasaki shop in my neighborhood.

I am looking to put an LTD style seat and the LTD mag wheels on it. Just need to know what all parts will be needed along with the Mag wheels to put them on my bike.
I dont want to keep the wire spoke wheels look on it and plan to go to the Mag style alum. rims no matter what. I just dont want to get the wrong setup and end up throwing money away.

Highlander wrote: ...My bike would be a 1977 model. KZ1000. No motor swaps. All original one owner, bought locally at the local Kawasaki shop in my neighborhood.

I am looking to put an LTD style seat and the LTD mag wheels on it. Just need to know what all parts will be needed along with the Mag wheels to put them on my bike.
I dont want to keep the wire spoke wheels look on it and plan to go to the Mag style alum. rims no matter what. I just dont want to get the wrong setup and end up throwing money away.

Sorry not to better answer the question, but here's an "option" from Redline:
redlinecycle.com/Mvc-041F%20Wheel%20Options.html

Am thinking the LTD seat is a straight bolt-on, likely from '77 and '78 KZ1000 LTD models, probably having the same seat pan.

Please await more definite advice.

Good Fortune!

if you are a patient and watch your local ( far as you will shop) c-liistings...you will odds on ,find a cheap rolling or better compatible kz-ltd-ect for a song.......then swap the mags and triple discs , binders,swing arm ect......that is the sure fire way to get all the front and rear speedo drives and hangers and brake gear.....axle spacers and axles...the whole salami.....sell the remainder or roll it in a corner for parts...e-bay you "CAN" do it but you really gotta know the puzzle good to buy it it pieces imo...complete rear ends and complete fronts...or whpole bikes parted by the same seller are another way.....


if you wait and watch daily and are ready with the cash....you can pick up a donor kz within the year i bet cheap.......you can buy a mag wheels KZ or LTD for 1000 with keys and papers some days running....bet it goes every bit of 300-400 to swap yours by the time your done ...done!!!!
buying parts here and there...just my opinion....i bought all the stuff to convert my kz900 into a mag rear rim tire swingarm and full disk brake set up...it weighed so friggin much i changed my mind the minute i un packed the rear end..it was an easy 40 lbs more than my drum rear set up

it was also a heavier rim imo

I too was thinking of a swap to Morris or Lester style alminum wheels, but I see allot of great used (and brand new replica) spoke rims on the Web. The PO of my bike put on a wider 3.5(?) back rim on the bike, so I might just replace the rusted/pitted front spoke rim (and both chrome fenders) with new, after my carb and engine rebuild.

Since my son and I want to go thru our 76 KZ900 from front to back, to see what does not work, we are leaning towards a "Resto-Mod" look like the attached black bike.
:woohoo:

Hi Highlander,newbie here.
I have a 1977 KZ1000A1 (Imported from USA in 1996)

I have just changed my Mag wheels to spokes.

Rear brake is disc set up.

The wheels are now surplus.
They have been powder coated silver.

Attached couple of pics of bike before & after.

I will say there is a very slight difference between the front & rear rims,just on the edge of the rim,it is difficult to see,I could take more pics if you like.

All depends on where your location is as I am in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Stuart

Hi Highlander,newbie here.
I have a 1977 KZ1000A1 (Imported from USA in 1996)

I have just changed my Mag wheels to spokes.

Rear brake is disc set up.

The wheels are now surplus.
They have been powder coated silver.


I will say there is a very slight difference between the front & rear rims,just on the edge of the rim,it is difficult to see,I could take pics if you like.

All depends on where your location is as I am in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Stuart

Sorry,
The pic showing the mag wheels didnt come out.
I will try this time !!