Topic: Kawasaki ZR750 Zephyr

[jaytee-nz]

So I've just bought another project, as the title says a 1991 ZR750 Zephyr.
It has the standard Kawasaki mag wheels on it but I really like the look of the later model (D1) wire wheels. These are as rare as rocking horse crap, but i wonder if any other wire wheels could be adapted to fit ?
Anyone got any experience with this ?
Cheers - JT

[Alan F.]

Performing a wheel swap can get pretty involved, it's often easier to swap out an entire front end than to adapt a spoked wheel and disc brake to your present forks. Rear drum brakes are pretty simple...wheel center and chain line, but when you get into disc brakes things get more complicated.

I've heard there is some match-up between some Kawasaki and Triumph bikes in the early 2000s, I'm not sure how early that goes. Maybe get some measurements from a Triumph Thunderbird (triple) from the 1990s?

[jaytee-nz]

Thanks Alan.
I figured that it wouldn't be an easy option but there doesn't appear to be any informative forums on these bikes out there so I thought someone on here might know (or knows someone who might know etc).

[Alan F.]

Have a look here: http://www.zephyr-zone.com/zz/search.php?keywords=Spoked+wheels

Here's a 550 with spokes:


It's in the UK and was reportedly a US spec bike with headlight on all the time.
http://www.zephyr-zone.com/zz/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=502&p=3752&hilit=Spoked+wheels#p3752

[Alan F.]

After a little more looking there were Zephyrs built with spoked wheels.

https://www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-zr750d1-zephyr-750-1996-europe-uk-fr-nl-ar-fg-gr-nr-sd-sp-st_model12731/partslist/#.Yg1TFh5OmyX

https://www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-zr750d2-zephyr-750-1997-austria-fg_model12732/partslist/#.Yg1Tqh5OmyU

There were years when 550 & 1100 got them too but they may not bolt up to your 750.
Cheers.

Looks like the 750 & 1100 front hubs are the same:
https://www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-zr750d1-zephyr-750-1996-europe-uk-fr-nl-ar-fg-gr-nr-sd-sp-st_model12731/drum-assy-front-brake_410341255/

But it looks like the 750 rear hub is 750 only.
https://www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-zr750d1-zephyr-750-1996-europe-uk-fr-nl-ar-fg-gr-nr-sd-sp-st_model12731/drum-assy-rear-brake_410341256/

[desertrefugee]

This triggered me to go off-topic just a bit.  I have a stalled project in the shop - a Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager (repurposed).  I started with the 900lb behemoth and currently have this (it sports a 750 Zephyr tank!)

[Alan F.]

MuscleBike!

[jaytee-nz]

Thanks again for the info Alan. I had already done the CMSNL search and at NZ$1500 for the rear hub I turned my thoughts to other possibilities !

[Alan F.]

Yes I think I would too. If you've got the fabrication skills it wouldn't be tough to make up a front hub for dual disc out of two similar single disc hubs, just cut, face on a lathe and weld the halves together. The rear I don't know much about but measurements from your existing wheel should be useful. A rear hub that's slightly bigger could easily be cut down to fit, not sure if I'd try to use a hub from a smaller bike. The cruiser market probably has something that'll work without too much work. I'll look around when I have time.