KZ650 (c?) Coupling / Damper Questions

I will start by saying this: I am young and inexperienced, so please talk to me as if I am an ignorant child. My dad gave me a 1978 Kawasaki 650B in pretty poor condition. The spoke wheels were rusted, and his advice to me was to purchase solid wheels and do away with spokes. So, I went to ebay. I purchased the wheels from seperate sellers, and the front wheel came in great condition for $50.00 and fits up perfectly. The rear wheel, on the other hand, does not. It seems to be a fairly common problem when switching from spoke wheels to solid wheels for the rear coupling / sprocket carrier to not match up. The rear wheel I bought was only listed as "1978 Kawasaki KZ650 Rear Wheel). I believe it's from a KZ650-C2, but I'm not positive. It is an 18" wheel.

Now, I'm pretty sure what I need is Part# 42033-1004.

Here is the wheel I purchased.



My question is: What kind of coupling / damper should I look for, and where can I purchase this assembly at a decent price? There are many to choose from online, but I don't want to purchase something without knowing if it will fit or not. Also, if someone would like to sell these parts to me it would save me a lot of hassle and be much appreciated.

There's a lot more than just the rear wheel that is different between the KZ650-B and C models. The rear brakes are totally different. You will need to buy and mount a rear brake master cylinder and brake line in order to use the rear disk brake on the "C" wheel. You will also need to buy a "C" torque arm. You will need to buy a "C" swingarm or modify the "B" swingarm to relocate the torque arm mount to the top of the swingarm. There will be other items, such as wheel spacers, etc., that need to be dealt with. It can be done; and is easiest if you buy a "C" swingarm, spacers, etc., but there is more to it than simply removing the spoked wheel and installing the alloy wheel.

On the front wheel, you will need a second brake caliper and brake line, a different splitter, a 5/8" bore master cylinder and maybe a couple other little things in order to use the twin front disk brakes becasue the "B" model only came with a singe disk. Ed

650ed wrote: There's a lot more than just the rear wheel that is different between the KZ650-B and C models. The rear brakes are totally different. You will need to buy and mount a rear brake master cylinder and brake line in order to use the rear disk brake on the "C" wheel. You will also need to buy a "C" torque arm. You will need to buy a "C" swingarm or modify the "B" swingarm to relocate the torque arm mount to the top of the swingarm. There will be other items, such as wheel spacers, etc., that need to be dealt with. It can be done; and is easiest if you buy a "C" swingarm, spacers, etc., but there is more to it than simply removing the spoked wheel and installing the alloy wheel.

On the front wheel, you will need a second brake caliper and brake line, a different splitter, a 5/8" bore master cylinder and maybe a couple other little things in order to use the twin front disk brakes becasue the "B" model only came with a singe disk. Ed

I have all of the parts for the disc brakes. The front spoke had a single disc before, but I went ahead and purchased dual front calipers, a rear disc caliper, new front and rear brake discs, rear master cylinder/brake pedal setup, a dual front brake splitter, new sensors, etc. I still need to purchase new pads and some caliper rebuild kits since these are in rough shape, but besides that I'm pretty sure the only thing standing in my way is the coupling and damper.

But now that you mention it I'm not sure the spacers for the rear wheel will match up.

Dang after going through all that maybe you should just buy another spoked tire and resell that one on Deezbay :dry: then you have spare spokes and brake parts

drive hub, damper, and spacers for a C model is what you need, just look on fleabay and get you some.

I have been on the search, but sellers on ebay like to say something like:

"Kawasaki KZ650 KZ650B KZ650C KZ650SR 1976 77 78 79 80 81 82 Hub"

Could someone show me a picture of the back side of the hub?

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationThe '77, '78, '79 KZ650-C models all used the same part number. This guy says this one is from a '79 KZ650-C. The rubber damper is still an active part, so any dealer can order it; ronayers.com lists it at about $50. Used ones are available on eBay, but they may be so worn as to make a sloppy drivetrain.

Thank you 650ed. I went ahead and purchased that hub along with a 650c damper, and a 650c swingarm because I found one for 25 bucks and it beats modding my B swingarm.

While I wait for it to arrive, anyone know if I will have any trouble mounting the B sprocket to the c hub? And does anyone know if the spacers will work from a B rear wheel to a C rear wheel?

the B sprocket is different. You will need to find a C sprocket. The spacers are different also.

The teeth are at least the same right? Or will I need a new chain and forward sprocket?

Still A 530 chain and sprockets just the mounting hole in the center of the driven sprocket is a different Diameter. You will want to keep the same tooth count to keep your current final drive ratio and use your current chain.

Just realized the hub comes with a sprocket. :pinch:

Shows how much attention I pay. Also realized the seller is the same guy I bought the rear wheel from.

Lol.