TOPIC:

Hi their
I own a 1980 kz650 f1 with original mag wheels
I'm looking to put spoke wheels on it
The front wheel is a 1.85x19
The rear is 2.15x18 drum brake
I found a set of d.i.d wheels on ebay listed for the 1979 kz650 c3,will these work for my bike ?
I think I have the front figured out.Through some research IT looks as if a z1 wheel, spokes and hub are the same up to 1980,can someone confirm this please ?

I would like to stay with the 18x2.15 rear and use a drum brake , I am unsure of which drum set up I can use .I have seen a couple 1979 kz650 rear drum set up's on ebay which would match the d.i.d wheel set up I am wanting to purchase I just want to make sure they will be compatible will my 1980 f1
Lastly could someone point me to a correct set of spokes for the rear wheel set up,I have searched buccanens and a couple other sites but everythin seems to be for the z1 which I believe has a larger rear drum and will not work on my bike.
I'D like to get a new set of wheels because everything I'm finding at local parts stores and online is rusted and pretty rough looking
Any info would be greatly appreciated,looking forward to hearing back from some of as I know their is a wealth of kz knowledge on this board
Cheers

I own a 1980 kz650 f1 with original mag wheels
I'm looking to put spoke wheels on it
The front wheel is a 1.85x19
The rear is 2.15x18 drum brake
I found a set of d.i.d wheels on ebay listed for the 1979 kz650 c3,will these work for my bike ?
I think I have the front figured out.Through some research IT looks as if a z1 wheel, spokes and hub are the same up to 1980,can someone confirm this please ?
..........

If he is selling a rear wheel with a drum brake the seller doesn't know what models his wheels fit - so beware. The KZ650-C models all had rear disk brakes, not drum. Ed

I sould have made myself more clear ,sorry

The new d.id wheels that I'm looking at are the outer rim only,no spokes ,no hub

javascript:;I think my original post is a little confusing,I'll try to clarify
I would like to switch from mags to spoke wheels and would really appreciate some help with the parts I need
Cheers

Tried to add link to a 1978 kz650b rear spoke hub on ebay but I'm not that computer savy....
Anyways ebay added more confusion because Ed is in fact correct their seems to be quite a few sellers who have no clue as to the parts they are selling which in turn is further confusing me,oh well...lol.....

The 650B wheels are probably the closest match. You can compare the hub components at Partzilla.
I did a quick check of some of the rear wheel stuff, and the 650F has pretty much the exact same components.
same coupling assy (sprocket carrier), same brake panel assy, same spacers, etc.

77 650B >>> www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...rear-hub-brake-chain

80 650F >>> www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...heel-hub-brake-chain

ps: to see the Front wheel/hub diagrams click KZ650-B1 & KZ650-F1 above the drawings in the respective diagrams, then choose Front Hub for the B & Front Wheel/Hub for the F.

Hey Martin csr,
I really appreciate the info,i've been searching a lot on this and couldn't find any definitive info
Very much appreciated
Kindest Regards
Cheers

Just an fyi. You might be able to use a 1000A front wheel. I'm pretty sure the Fr hub is the same (it has a Rr disk brake, so you can't use the 1000A rear wheel). But I'd guess the 650B wheels are more readily available, though..

Also, there was an 81-82 650H CSR that had 48-spoke wheels w aluminum rims (19" Fr but 16" Rr). The 70s wheels are 40-spoke w steel rims (19" Fr & 18" Rr). I don't know if the csr wheels would be an easy swap to the 650F. my guess is that it can be done without too much trouble, but that is just a guess. I've never compared the B stuff to the csr, but the B, F & H CSR have the same brake panel assy.

Cross-reference. At partzilla click the part for the x-ref. their info isn't 100% perfect or complete, so you have to double check. I compare the diagrams for the donor bike at partzilla. and at Kawasaki.com if possible. the Kaw site info seems to be incomplete.
...

Thanks again Martin
I will update this thread when the project is complete so others will know.
That partzilla website is a gold mine of info
Cheers !

If the hub components are the same, then the swap should work.
I did the opposite, replacing wire spoked wheels with cast alloys. refurbishing the stock 48 spokers was going to be too expensive, so I installed the wheels from a 550 Ltd. It was a direct swap. all I needed were the wheels & Fr brake disk. everything else was the same so I was able to keep the stock hub stuff. see link in signature.

Nice looking machine you have Martin.

I may end up sticking with the mags for a while.New quality built wheels and,spokes notably from buccanans are on the pricey side and all the used spoke wheels I've found are very rough in particular the inside of the wheels where moisture will accumulate.

However,I did find a front wheel locally cheap.The guy I bought it from said it was from a 1982 kz750 .The hub was in good shape and looked similar to the one on my bike so I bought it .Threw it on the bike for a test fit and its good to go .So atleast I now have front hub, : ) lol. If ound a set of buccanans spokes on ebay (new) that were listed as 76-77 kz1000 spokes but upon closer inspection of the the pictures the buccanens label actually said kz400 -kz1000, 73-80 ,I think a lot of front spoke wheels will fit my bike, it's the rear with drum brake where it seems to get a little more tricky. with wanting to keep the rear drum .

I also ordered a kz650b rear wheel from ebay(nothing found locally) for a very reasonable price so when it arrives I'll test fit it and report back.In the meen time I'll be trying to find my phone so I can snap a few picks
Thanks again Martin,you've been a huge help
Cheers