Different front end ?

I might be able get my hands on an early KZ13 without front end. Leaning towards a Cafe style anyway. What upgraded front ends have you Guys used on your 13's ?

I have not done anything yet, but am planning to.....I'm looking at upside down gold-coloured Öhlins gas shocks with Brembo brakes, but the more I think about it, the more questions I have as obviously all the measurements will be different, the length and headstock pins will be different, and so the stance of the bike will be affected. triple-tree is different so I may have to fashion that myself. Then there is also the question of finding shocks that can 'withstand' the weight of the KZ... anyway, lots of things to think about.

Paul

The Hyabusa weighs 266kg
The zx14 weighs 269kg
The KZ1300 weighs 314kg
I would think the front end from either the Hya or the ZX14 would be fine. Might have to change out the spring but the weight difference is only 45 kg's which is shared front and rear so weight on the front end difference maybe 30 kg's? And a little more air in the front can make a big difference

Then there's Robert Bolduc's ZRX1200R with a KZ1300 transplant. Drop dead georgeous !!

I've heard that the Hayabusa front end will go on. You need to press the stem from a Z13 lower yoke out and then press it in to the busa lower. Then use 3 to 4" extensions to get the height back

Kawboy wrote: The Hyabusa weighs 266kg
The zx14 weighs 269kg
The KZ1300 weighs 314kg
I would think the front end from either the Hya or the ZX14 would be fine. Might have to change out the spring but the weight difference is only 45 kg's which is shared front and rear so weight on the front end difference maybe 30 kg's? And a little more air in the front can make a big difference

Then there's Robert Bolduc's ZRX1200R with a KZ1300 transplant. Drop dead georgeous !!

That is so good looking

That Canadian KZX 1300 is perfection in my book

I fitted a ZZR 1100 (ZX-11) front end about 20 years ago. The forks had to be extended by about six inches using sleeves clamped at both ends & I had a one-off billet ally bottom yoke made. The steering stem slotted straight in from memory. The original ZZR 1100 4-pot calipers were more than adequate in hauling the 13's 300kg up, but I later went the whole hog & fitted some bespoke Pretech 6-pots.