TOPIC:

Just obtaining information of handling improvements for my 77' KZ1000A. It's still far from running but getting a little closer. I've looked at a few universal steering stabilizers on ebay, but how would they mount to the KZ? I have an original Lockhart 4-row oil cooler on the bike, that I may not even use because it looks like it would interfere with out locating it. What are you guys using?

Also, Steering head bearings and swing arm bushings. What are you using as well? Any help would appreciated again!

Before you expend any effort on a steering stabilizer check your swing arm bearings/bushings. After I upgraded my swing arm bushings to needle bearings I took off the stabilizer I had fitted as it was no longer needed.

Bill

And your probably right. I haven't even yet pulled the swing arm off yet to even look at it. Just trying to do a little homework before. In the past I've used bronze swing arm bushings on my H2 and RD. Seemed to work well. Do they offer these bushings for the KZ or is the needle bearing kit all that's out there? What about steering head bearings?

When I was sorting out my handling problem I found that my KZ 900 used redmetal bushings while the Z1 R used two needle bearings on each end if the swing arm pivot. It was an easy swap.

Not sure about the headstock bearings but I'm sure that Z1 Enterprises has what you need.

Bill

If you are planning on riding the bike hard, I would install some type of steering dampner.

I would not ride any motorcycle without a steering dampner. I broke one of my outer sparkplug caps with my knee one time when my KZ1000 went into a big wobble coming out of a corner on some slightly rippled pavement!!!

I have both an oil cooler and steering dampner on my KZ1000. It took some planning, and a fancy bracket on the frame and lower tree to get it to clear my oil cooler. You can get by with using the copy of the original Kawasaki steering dampners like what came on the old triples.

I would go with the tapered bearing in the steering stem, better rear shocks, bronze bushings, or needle bearings in the swing arm, and a steering dampner to start with on your KZ1000.

Dr. Gamma, That's the direction that I'll probably take. I have a set of bronze bushings and sleeves from a H2 project that I didn't use. I'm pretty sure they will fit the KZ1000 swing arm or would you happen to know?

Now that I think about it, the '77 KZ1000 already has two needle bearings in swing arm stock. I think the '78 had four needle bearings (two per side) in the swing arm. No need for the bronze bushings.

Check the amount of play between the frame, and the stock swing arm bolt. If its over a few thousands thats too much. I had my local machine shop make up some oversize swing arm bolts to take up that extra clearance. I had to tap my swing arm bolt into the frame. I then honed the stock inner swing arm sleeve to fit the new oversize swing arm bolt. I left just enough clearance for just a coat of grease on the bolt.

If you have 15 or 20 thousands play at the swing arm bolt to frame. Just think how much play you will have at the end of swing arm!!

I'll add Fork Brace. This is the single most improvement I made on the front end of my 82 KZ1000 LTD.
Upgraded springs, emulators, new internal bushings, of course seals and oil for the forks.
New stem bearings, with the correct pre-load.
Swing arm bearings, and you can under brace it easily if you can weld.
Rear shock up grade. Well I bought a set of progressives, one failed rather quick, out of warranty and not rebuildable. So I went with a set of Fox Racing Shocks off of a snowmobile. No problems so far, and $100 bucks shipped, fully rebuildable and tunable. Lesson learned.

For your steering stem use tapered roller bearings. Here's the All-Balls kit:
www.allballsracing.com/22-1014.html

Dr. Gamma is correct about the swingarm. Here's the diagram:

Motor Head, I'm interested in Fox shocks that you used? Also, the swing arm bracing? Any pictures? Have any of you guys used the "Bronze" swing arm bushings?

There are quit a few under braced swing arms on the site, but I never took any pictures of mine. Pretty easy to do if you can weld, a mig welder will make it super simple (hot glue gun). My bike is all packed up for this Relay Rally Trip at the moment, so kinda hard to get any good pic's of my work.
As for the Fox shocks, they were from FeeBay. Off of an Artic CAt which took the same length, well 1/2" longer shock. 14 instead of 13.5" This actually made my bike super easy to put on the center stand, well compared to my Concours. I think they were off of a 800 or something Artic CAt. I used to have a ZR580 Artic CAt back in the 90's which had those shocks, that's how I knew about them. Watched several sets on FeeBay, then pulled the trigger. A buddy also did this for one of his vintage MX bikes, and loves them.

Be interesting to know the spring rates of those shocks?