Z1000a2 mag wheels.

[James]

Just got a z1000a2 for restoration,and considering putting mag wheels on it,are there any from other models that will fit straight on.thanks in advance.james

[warren3200gt]

You can cross reference on cmsl what fits what. I would imagine J mags may be a straight swop but J's have 7 bolt discs, a2 has 4(?). Possibly 650 c's may be a better possibility as same year.

[000zeds]

Z1R Wheels will suit

[Garry.L]

Weren't Alloys a factory option on the later A2?...

[Kev1R]

I think Garry is correct that (possibly the Henry Abe type) mags were a factory option.
Having owned a Z1R the only thing I would say about that style of wheel is they are significantly heavier than spoke wheels.

[Ultim8pc]

You need the same wheels as fitted to the MK2 and H. The Z1R wheels have a slightly different spoke design where the spoke meets the rim.

[KevinH]

I have a pair of mag wheels removed from my 1977 Z1000 A1please see attached image

[Sgt.Pinback]

Z1-R (D1) front wheel is 18"

You dont want that on your A2

[DeadZedDave]

Hello James, the wheels which Kevin H has shown in the pictures are the ones you need.
There are a number of different 7 spoke Mag wheels from different model / years and aside any consideration of all the extra work it will be to fit wheels originally from a 1000J for example, IF YOUR TALKING ABOUT RESTORATION of your A2 then most likely you'll devalue the bike by fitting the wrong wheels.
In '78 when your A2 was new, Kawasaki offered a pair of Mag wheels as a dealer fit option and also sold these as an accessory for owners to fit themselves.
With the CORRECT wheels you can legitimately say the bike is "standard" - although my own observation of the market is that chrome rim / wire spoke wheel bikes seem more popular / fetch better sale prices.
If you follow the route of fitting the Mags like Kevin H has, your existing FRONT spindle ,speedo drive and disc(s) PLUS brake calliper(s) will just bolt straight back together with the Mag.
At the REAR you need the sprocket carrier which goes with the Mag (A2 spoke wheel one is different) ALSO you need the spacer sleeves (3) which go on the spindle / match the Mag - (these are also different from the A2 spoke wheel) Your rear spindle,disc sprocket and calliper will then bolt straight together with the Mag (Take care to check that the rear disc is reasonably central between the pads in the rear calliper when you assemble for the first time - I have know the odd difference in spacer widths to cause minor misalignment - but if you get this far I'm sure you'll be able to sort it out !)
Z1000Mk2 (1000A3/1000A4 - 1979/80) are to all intents and purposes identical to the '78 optional wheels. These fit as above.

Z1R had an 18 inch front as Sgt. Pinback highlights. (Z1R rear is same as Mk2)
SOME models of z650 had similar mags but most have a smaller diameter rear spindle set up - so different bearings / spacers etc which do not match your swinging arm - these can be converted with standard parts to fit - but its more work.

A set of (correct) 7 spoke mag wheels complete with sprocket carrier and spacers is the most straight forward way to do it. You can also buy it all "one piece at a time" but thats getting harder to do.

Henry Abe, Lester, Melba, CMA and others are ALL NONE STANDARD aftermarket options which were available back in the day but they're also becoming rare and you wont be able to call your A2 "standard"

From personal experience I'd also say that for a bike you might want to ride regularly, Mag wheels are a LOT EASIER to clean.

At the end of the day however, you can fit any wheels you want ! Its your bike so you can decide !
Dave

[ADRIAN H]

You need the same wheels as fitted to the MK2 and H. The Z1R wheels have a slightly different spoke design where the spoke meets the rim.

Picture of my Z1000A2, which has had these alloys on it from new. Which are identical to Z1R wheels. 18 inch rims front and rear.

Not sure what you mean by spoke design, or how that affects anything ?

[DeadZedDave]

@Adrian H

Re: "wheels have a slightly different spoke design where the spoke meets the rim"
Not the first time I've read this !

I think this is a reference to the later J series wheel design.
Every single Z1R wheel I ever saw had the same "spoke design" as the Mk2 (and optional A2 wheels) Just like your own!
Only difference: Z1R front = 18 " dia.
Mk2 etc front = 19 " dia.
The exception was the wheel I came across which had the spokes modified with an angle grinder......

HOWEVER, wheels for Z1000J / Gpz1100 and ELR's DO HAVE "a slightly different spoke design where the spoke meets the rim" The "inside edge" / inner diameter of the rim is machined where the earlier rims were left "as cast" - the result .... the area where the spoke joins the rim is / looks different..... An 18 " example of one of these later wheels could only be found on an 1100R ELR.

The Mk2 ones are the right ones to bolt onto an A2 though - assuming the "standard" 19 inch / front 18 inch rear set up is to be maintained.

Re the "spoke design" issue; one other possibility is that the Z1R wheel in question was a 19" front from a D3 (not officially imported to UK) Very late examples of A4 cast wheels I have come across have "thicker section" spokes... c. +1mm - the "edge" of the spoke has a slight bevel to the section before reaching the outer machined face. This COULD possibly have been noticed as a difference where "the spoke meets the rim" ! I imagine the Z1R D3 used exactly the same wheels as the Z1000Mk2 A4 (late)

I'll zip my anorak up again now ....

Good to know your own A2 left the factory with a Z1R D1/2 type 18" front. Over the years I've arrived at the conclusion that anything was possible at KHI back in those days !

Dave

[compo z1r]

Z1-R (D1) front wheel is 18"

You dont want that on your A2

well get a d2-3 front their 19" z1r

[Z1streetfighter71]

All KZ1000 ltd from 77 to 80 have a 19" front wheel, cheap and easy to find and the brake disks, axle and speedo drive too. 18 rear would be a Z1r wheel or as mentioned before a factory available z1000 A1/A2.
https://www.partzilla.com/product/kawas ... 5c934b3144
https://www.partzilla.com/product/kawas ... 1b155a83c6

[r3sc]

This post reminds me of my post below where I tried to identify the wheels taken from my A1.

I never even advertised them as I wasn’t 100% sure what they were from originally, all I knew was that they fitted my A1 perfectly.

Some good knowledge being shown by you guys!


viewtopic.php?f=4&t=48930

[ADRIAN H]

Z1-R (D1) front wheel is 18"

You dont want that on your A2

Why not, 18 inch front and rear - perfectly balanced Z10000.
Easy to extend the bolt holes on the front mudguard so it sits right.