'78 KZ1000 makeover
- testarossa
-
- Offline
- User
- Attack life, it's only trying to kill you.
- Posts: 3678
- Thanks: 82
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
20 Jan 2011 20:57
Where did you lose the length? From the front end or the back? I figured that the swingarm would be a little longer than stock.
1978 KZ1000 A2 Click--->Build Thread
2004 ZX-10R
2007 Harley Sportster 1200
2020 Harley Street Glide Special
Angola, IN
2004 ZX-10R
2007 Harley Sportster 1200
2020 Harley Street Glide Special
Angola, IN
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- porchev914
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Whats that? Half of my swingarm is missing?!?!?
- Posts: 2716
- Thanks: 19
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
20 Jan 2011 21:15
Both, I think. The SSSA was only 3/16" longer, but I moved the swingarm pivot forward with the frame widening. The front end is shorter, so that moves the centerline of the axle back as well. I may not have lost a full inch either, it was a rough measurement. Either way, it didn't get any longer :ohmy:
FRANKEN Z!
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Marneman
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 281
- Thanks: 5
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
20 Jan 2011 22:40
Man that looks great Adam. Definately worth the wait

77 KZ1000-A1 "Bushido" Project
82 KZ1000 LTD "Terri Lee"
You know what, I don't have a one to some other number of douche-bag scale. So.. Six!
82 KZ1000 LTD "Terri Lee"
You know what, I don't have a one to some other number of douche-bag scale. So.. Six!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- camaroguy
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 351
- Thanks: 5
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 03:14
seeing it on the kick stand looks like it has a pretty good lean. meaning the bottom of frame is just about right height.what kind of bars are going on it?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- porchev914
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Whats that? Half of my swingarm is missing?!?!?
- Posts: 2716
- Thanks: 19
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 06:21
Either answer protapers, or renthal fatbars in black. I'll put the bars from my yzf on there to see how it feels, then choose a bend from there.
FRANKEN Z!
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 79MKII
-
- Offline
- User
- Love Them Kaws!
- Posts: 2494
- Thanks: 43
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 07:41
Did I read that somebody has an itchy box?? :ohmy:
Looks awesome! I think polished triples would look too busy with the black frame and gold forks....really came out nice the way it is. This thread is bad news for me...I really want to do a modern suspension conversion now.
Without the custom triples you would have lost about 1.5" of ride height?
Looks awesome! I think polished triples would look too busy with the black frame and gold forks....really came out nice the way it is. This thread is bad news for me...I really want to do a modern suspension conversion now.
Without the custom triples you would have lost about 1.5" of ride height?
The Kaw List:
Current: 79 KZ1000 A3 MKII, 78 KZ1000 A2, 78 KZ1000 Z1-R, 78 KZ650 SR, 80 KE175
Former: 03 KLX400SR, 99 ZRX1000, 82 KZ750 LTD, 80 KZ1000 A4 MKII, 80 KZ1000 LTD, 78 KZ1000 A2, 74 H-2 750 Triple, 78 KL250
Current: 79 KZ1000 A3 MKII, 78 KZ1000 A2, 78 KZ1000 Z1-R, 78 KZ650 SR, 80 KE175
Former: 03 KLX400SR, 99 ZRX1000, 82 KZ750 LTD, 80 KZ1000 A4 MKII, 80 KZ1000 LTD, 78 KZ1000 A2, 74 H-2 750 Triple, 78 KL250
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- porchev914
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Whats that? Half of my swingarm is missing?!?!?
- Posts: 2716
- Thanks: 19
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 08:00
To be perfectly honest Mike, I'm not sure what I would have lost without Irishwills triples. I have a feeling my initial measurements may have been skewed by clapped out stock suspension. I'll need to compare some measurements fully dressed against a fresh sticker. Thanks for everyones kind words

FRANKEN Z!
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- kz1k
-
- Offline
- User
- You Cant Fix Stupid!
- Posts: 1464
- Thanks: 0
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 09:47
adam, before we had a cell phone issue, i wanted to compliment you on the look of your front rotors. they really make that front tire stand out. very nice.
1978 KZ1000A2
"JUST IN! A MAN WHO HOLDS THE WORLD RECORD FOR USING THE MOST DRUGS DIES TODAY. HE WAS WAS ATTACKED BY A PACK OF WILD DOGS HE THOUGHT HE SAW"
WHY FART AND WASTE IT, WHEN YOU CAN BURP AND TASTE IT?
"JUST IN! A MAN WHO HOLDS THE WORLD RECORD FOR USING THE MOST DRUGS DIES TODAY. HE WAS WAS ATTACKED BY A PACK OF WILD DOGS HE THOUGHT HE SAW"
WHY FART AND WASTE IT, WHEN YOU CAN BURP AND TASTE IT?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- jus1975
-
- Offline
- User
- www.tripleaperformance.com
- Posts: 251
- Thanks: 0
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- mark1122
-
- Offline
- User
- Keep twisting it
- Posts: 5359
- Thanks: 109
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 11:49
porchev914 wrote:
the new forks wont dive as easily as the kz forks , so u haven’t lost as much as u may think.
in the end , the more height the better, if u are riding at the track, but on the street its not a big deal. on the street, header clearance is now the important thing. speed bumps and unusual obstacles can hit the header if u are not careful.
The Trees look great.
To be perfectly honest Mike, I'm not sure what I would have lost without Irishwills triples. I have a feeling my initial measurements may have been skewed by clapped out stock suspension. I'll need to compare some measurements fully dressed against a fresh sticker. Thanks for everyone’s kind words
the new forks wont dive as easily as the kz forks , so u haven’t lost as much as u may think.
in the end , the more height the better, if u are riding at the track, but on the street its not a big deal. on the street, header clearance is now the important thing. speed bumps and unusual obstacles can hit the header if u are not careful.
The Trees look great.

76 KZ, frame gusset work,1200CC.Ported by Larry Cavanaugh, 1.5mm.over intakes, Carron Pipe, ZRX12 rear end, and seat,96zx9 front end.
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
~ ~ ~_@
~ ~ _- \,
~ (k) / (z)
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
~ ~ ~_@
~ ~ _- \,
~ (k) / (z)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- porchev914
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Whats that? Half of my swingarm is missing?!?!?
- Posts: 2716
- Thanks: 19
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 21:18
No track days for this old bird Mark. I'll wait for a Duc before I do that
She is strictly a road bike and intend to enjoy the hell outa her as soon as I can.
Leon, this one's for you
This is the stem nut I ordered

Leon, this one's for you

FRANKEN Z!
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
1978 KZ1000 A2A with 08'Speed Triple SSSA and '06 GSXR1000 front end
Attachments:
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- kz1k
-
- Offline
- User
- You Cant Fix Stupid!
- Posts: 1464
- Thanks: 0
Re: '78 KZ1000 makeover
21 Jan 2011 21:37
porchev914 wrote:
Leon? who is that? havnt seen him forever...lol:laugh: he might be putting out a fire in his garage...:blush:
1978 KZ1000A2
"JUST IN! A MAN WHO HOLDS THE WORLD RECORD FOR USING THE MOST DRUGS DIES TODAY. HE WAS WAS ATTACKED BY A PACK OF WILD DOGS HE THOUGHT HE SAW"
WHY FART AND WASTE IT, WHEN YOU CAN BURP AND TASTE IT?
"JUST IN! A MAN WHO HOLDS THE WORLD RECORD FOR USING THE MOST DRUGS DIES TODAY. HE WAS WAS ATTACKED BY A PACK OF WILD DOGS HE THOUGHT HE SAW"
WHY FART AND WASTE IT, WHEN YOU CAN BURP AND TASTE IT?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.