Fitting sportbike front end and rear wheel

[Julian@MotoCARR]

I've done a fair amount of research, and I now know the process and what all is needed to complete the swap, but what donor bikes will work with a '82 KZ750 is what I am lacking. As I look around here there are pics TONS of bikes with swaps, but not a whole lot of info on what the bike the front/rear wheel/swing arm are off of.

So I guess my first questions would be:
-Where/how do you guys with front end swaps find out what stems will work with your bike?
-And the tapered bearings?

I have yet to find OEM KZ750 length & OD so I can search other bikes that have a similar/close setup and buy the appropriate bearings and shims to get the triples to bolt into the neck.

 

[teazer]

I can't tell you what anyone else did but I'll tell you how I approached it.

I was building the GT750 in my avatar and wanted more modern suspension. I started off looking at a bunch of bikes and then I zeroed in on what was affordable. I did not want a huge black solid overpowering modern swingarm. What I was looking for was something that looked modern enough but still in keeping with the older resto-mod look.

That took me to a 2001 GSXR600. Silver, no braces and clean. That was the back end. Then I selected a front end that looked like it would work but I had to measure a few and ask a lot of questions of people selling stuff on ebay. My choice was a 2001 GSXR silver (matching)_set of USD forks. Wheels and disks were one model older 200 GSXR750 and went in with minimal mods.

How did they fit?
I measured the steering stems and realized that All Balls had a set of bearings with ID that matched the GSXR stem and OD that matched the GT frame. They now list all manner of swaps. The stem was the right size, so that end was dead easy.

At the back the swingarm had to be measured to determine the centerline of the wheel and was machined slightly. The spindle and spacers also had to be machined to make it all work together and then I had to work out shock linkages and work out what geometry I wanted and measured it all as I zeroed in on the right set up.

Sometimes parts just fit and other times you get into it and realize it isn't going to fly and it's time to change plans and dump what you have to fund the next attempt. fear of failure would definitely get in the way on this one.

One trick is to find the pics and then track down a build thread or comments by the builder. I often reach out to other builders to see if they will share ideas and if they think I'm serious, usually they will. What they won't do is to give me an instruction sheet on how to do it.

Start off by measuring what you have or borrow one to measure or ask someone to measure theirs for you. Then go to the bike store or bone yard and start measuring forks or stems or whatever you need. At least that will get you to the starting line.

 

[crazypj]

Realistically, what is your skill level?
Can you weld?
Can you machine stuff?
Can you measure? (not a dumb question, many people don't know how big an inch is and are totally lost by millimeters)
If none of the above, you'd better have a big cheque book (check for USA)

 

[hillsy]

Use the search function. Here's where you start:

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=20951.0

Find your bike, note the bearing sizes, then find another bike that will work.

It's obviously more complicated than that (otherwise EVERYONE would be doing it). Stem length, steering stops, etc will need to be custom made (I can't say I've ever come across a straight bolt-on fit). Get a COMPLETE front end (mixing wheels, discs and calipers is a total world of pain).

And yeah - you need some skills and tools to do it. Good luck

 

[teazer]

Or do it the easy way. All Balls have done the work for us.

http://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconvertion

They don't have every combo of old bike stuff, but it's a great place to start

 

[JRK5892]

as PJ said man... also what is your budget... cuase it is not cheap even fi you do the work yourself your looking at 5 - 700 in parts between the arm, wheels and front end

 

[smoketriples]

My suzi GT750 has '88 honda CBR front end and swingarm (and brakes, wheels, tires, etc). Works fine, you can do pretty much whatever you want as long as you have the tools and the desire.