Z650 wheel conversion Alloy to spokes help

[Infekted]

Hi can anyone assist. Im converting a z650 F series alloys to chrome spoke. The existing setup has the dual front disc. Can a single spoked hub front disc fit?

Cheers!!

[robracer]

This is one for Gos but I will share some of my recent knowledge,
The original alloy rims are bloody heavy! if you can change it will shave off a heap of weight & remember its not just the static weight but with the spoked wheels there is less work required for the wheel to spin so its a really good modification if you can do it.
I am building a period 5 Z500 , this has the same frame & forks as the 650. I have sourced a wheel but buggered if I could find a kawaka spoked hub with dual disks so I have ended up with a Harley hub that I will spoke up to an alloy excell rim. I have some CNC work to do as the calipers are 5mm closer together on both sides but there is plenty of meat to shave off the calipers for the right fit (disks are the same diameter) I will also have to make up the axel & spacers but I would have done this anyway as the Speedo drive is not needed.
Stick to dual disk if you can ...... it will make a big diference to your stopping distance & wack on some braided lines to make the brakes even sweeter.
Mate, when looking at the wreckers take the original hub & a set of calipers & ruler to measure up & make sure you stay away from stainless disks as they are rubbish & where introduced around that time... although they show hardly any wear there is a reason for this...... they are too hard! & therefore do not have the same friction properties as a cast Iron disk.
Good luck with the search

[Infekted]

Cheers mate. I think Ive bitten off more than I can chew. Sourcing stuff for this model is hard. Nothing here in WA. Most stuff is x-east. US Ebay is good when it pops up. The 1979 series came in dual disk and spoked again few and far between. Brisons MCW have been good but your rely on their advice. Dual disc spokes are even harder to source so im consideering the single disc conversion. Your HD conversion is a novel approach. Tx for the tips much appreciated.

Infeketed

[robracer]

Brisons MCW have been good but your rely on their advice

BMCW was my first port of call when I started looking as I have known Rodney for 15 years & his dad (retired) for even longer, but he is always keen to sell even if its not what you want .... the sort of close enough attitude but sometimes close enough is not good enough so the advice should always be checked before committing

[Infekted]

yeah ya right and if your not carefull it can be an expensive exericse...part scarcity = $$$$...dr evil laughing in the background

[Gosling1]

...... Im converting a z650 F series alloys to chrome spoke. The existing setup has the dual front disc. Can a single spoked hub front disc fit?.....

In a nutshell - its not a straight swap. But there is *always* a way around this......

The later 6fiddys (with mags) used the same wheels/brakes/forks as the z750 from 1980-1983. These are the GPz-style disc rotors and calipers. These style disc rotors and calipers are not compatible with the spoked-wheel hub.

The early 6fiddys with spoked wheels, used the earlier style 4-bolt Z1000 discs and calipers - bigger disc, earlier-style single-piston sliding caliper.....

But there is a way to convert your 6fiddy to a twin-disc spoke wheel front. You need to drop in a complete front end from either a 1976 Z900A4, 1976 Z650B1, 1977 Z650B2, or a 1977/78 Z1000A1/A2. These front ends all use 36mm forks which are pretty much *exactly* the same length (give or take 5mm). Its that easy ! (Kawasaki parts compatibility is a sweet sweet thing !! )

Here are some pictures of this conversion on my Z750 (before it was turned into a dirt bike )

1980 Z750, fitted with stock wheels and brakes (same as your Z650)



same bike, now fitted with wire wheels - stock early z650 rear (with drum brake), and 1980 Z1000 complete front-end.


You can't just change the front wheel over to a spoked one, as the brake caliper mounting holes are a different spacing (the mag wheel discs have a smaller diameter) - it has to be the complete fork leg each side.

If you can track down an early Z650 front-end, this will also work fine - even if it only has 1 disc fitted, the hub is already drilled for the disc on the RH side, all you need to do is fit another disc and caliper to that side for double-discs...

Everything worked fine with the above conversion, even the speedo drive could be hooked up to the stock speedo. (not pictured in second photo above, but used in another version of that bike.)

Good luck !

[Infekted]

Cheers Gosling!! That's great info. Now to starting hunting for 6fiddy wabbits! Nice nip and tuck on the bike

regards
Infekted

[Infekted]

Dont you hate when you find local parts by chance and the guy doesnt want to part with it!!!

[Infekted]

Finally have completed the instalation of my spoked rims to my Z650. Well its a Z720 now. Ive installed a new waeco kit through and its done a worls of good. The change over was difficult getting parts from ebay and east was difficult some costly purchases were made which didnt fit the bike... In the end I bought a whole z650 B 1978 and robbed from peter to give to paul. Thanksto everyone with the tips and advice much appreciated Regards Infekted

[Kwak addict]

Wow That's a bloody neat looking Z there, the spokies were worth the effort - they look spot on !!
Ever thought of upgrading the calipers? You won't be sorry if you do.

[devo]

There is a couple of these ol Gals under one of my customers house he bought it new and when he had his first kid he parked it
Been under there for around 18years with about 2mm of dust on it . the other is a spre bike about 2/3 complete.
Am negotiating with him at the moment.
Will see what happens just trying to come up with a $$$ value on them.

[Infekted]

Wow That's a bloody neat looking Z there, the spokies were worth the effort - they look spot on !!
Ever thought of upgrading the calipers? You won't be sorry if you do.

Any recommendations on the caliper ugrades. I couldnt use the F off the original series as they didnt match the 78 B series forks. Puke! I just rebuilt them.

[Infekted]

Hi devo Im alway looking for a spare bike

[devo]

I look at your bike and it brings back memories I like what you have done and it is good to see old school stuff still alive.
The z's I speak of are a resto project maybe if i can get em .
Gotta love the Z's