Re: 1979 KZ400
BLSully said:
What front and rear end swaps do you have worked out in those secret text files?
Ha ha. No secrets, just pieces I've picked up from things others have reported in forums, some guesses from putting 2 and 2 together, but not a lot of things I know for certain. But basically some fairly easy front end swaps should be: EX250, EX500, GSXR650, GSXR750, R6 and R1 depending on whether you want traditional forks or USD forks. EX250 and EX500 swingarms should be easy swingarm swaps but will require welding shock mounts to the swingarm if you don't want to do a mono shock conversion. If you want an extended swingarm the ZL250 (Eliminator) swingarm is said to be "almost a direct bolt on" that is 29" between pivot pin to axle - about 10" longer than my stock swingarm.
Here is an unedited example:
Early (1998-2001) (YZF-R1) R1 USD forks front end are said to be a direct swap to RD400. RD400 said to be a direct swap to the KZ400... so early R1 (and R6?) forks and triple could be a direct swap to the KZ400. Probably any year R1 or R6 because the bearing sets are the same for all years.
KZ550 front end is a straight bolt on, but they are a little longer than KZ400 and even KZ440 stock and have a leading axle.
Suzuki RG(V?) 250 frontend is a direct bolt on with better brakes and suspension
XV250 Virago front end is a direct bolt on swap too. Maybe xv125 and xv535 too.
1996-1999 (maybe 2000-2003 too) gxr600 forks/triple should work too (non USD)
gsxr750 front end fits great but the stem is a little long, just needs a spacer
zx6r front wheel with the gsxr forks
94 Katana front end fits on well with the Katana stem. Ah, Katana = GSX so that makes sense
EX250 front end fits nicely but the stem is a little long. Spacer should work.
Same goes for the EX500.
EX250 and EX500 also both have 15mm front axles so should be able to use stock wheel with possibly custom spacers
EX250 Ninja swingarm will bolt right up. However EX250 used 16" wheels through 2007. 2008+ have 17" wheels. So there may be clearance issues with KZ400 18" wheel on earlier EX250 swingarms. Use the KZ400 bolt and bearings. If you use swingarm, wheels, brakes, etc. from the EX250 it is all an easy fit, sprockets line up, etc but you'll need a custom 520 front sprocket.
EX500 swingarm may be a little wider than the EX250 but it should fit with some tweaking. EX500 used 16" wheels through 1992, but 17" from 1993 on. But ninja swingarms were made for mono shock so shock mounts would need to be welded on or a mono shock conversion.
Kawasaki ZL250 Eliminator swingarm is said to be "almost a direct bolt-in", but its pivot pin to axle distance is about 29"
XT500 swingarm will fit but will also need shock mounts welded on
FZR400 and FZR600 swingarms might also be an option since they are a common swap onto the EX500.
GSXR750 swingarm may fit too with a little work, and I bet if those do then so the GSXR600.
KZ400 uses the same front and rear sprockets as the KZ440 and KZ750 twin
Dual front disc brakes by using lowers and discs from SR650
The main crank bearing shells are the same part as the GPZ900R
KZ400 Upper 30x48x14
Lower 30x48x14
30x48x14
30x52x17 EX250 (Ninja) 86-12, EX500 (Ninja) 87-09, KZ550 80-83, KZ650, KZ750 76-83, KZ900 76, Z1R 78-80, KZ1000 77-80
30x55x17
30x55x17 GSXR600 97-12, GSXR750 96-09 11-12, YZFR6 99-06, YZF-R1 99-06, SV650 03-06,
Triumph Daytona 675 06-10, Triumph Sprint ST 05-10, Triumph Tiger 07-10, Triumph Street Triple 08-10
KZ400 - 15mm front axle, GSX600/GSX750, EX250/500 are the same size.
KZ400 - 17mm rear axle