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I have an opportunity to pick up a 1994 ZG1000 bike that runs with body panel damage. I have 2004 and am impressed with the torque and was thinking that his engine would work well for swap. Anyone work the drive line of a Kawasaki and think conversion from shaft to chain would be worth while?

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthu ... sp?code=79

The ZX1000 motor is retuned for the ZG1000. The carburetors are a little smaller and the cam is different. This results in more torque in the bottom end to move the heavy sport-tourer. You can tune the ZX1000 for torque, but I don't know what will cost less: The torque retune or the shaft conversion to chain.

Conversion to chain can happen at the motor or at the wheel hub on the end of shaft drive. Either way a jack shaft will have to be used to get the output to the center of the frame, so maybe attaching a jack shaft to the driven portion of the wheel hub is an option?

This engine swap would probably go into a sand machine with possible street licensing if I can move the registration over from the Connie. Reverse would be nice for street use, but not needed on the dunes.

If you're willing to have a part machined somewhere along the way, then there's no reason why driving off either the trans output or the final drive wouldn't work. In fact, may be able to use parts from the rear axle or wheel for the final drive option. I looked at that briefly a little while back when I had a chance at a goldwing 1500. But when I got out my tape measure, found the distance from the front of the engine back to the final drive is so far that there was no way I wanted to make the back of a buggy that long. Needless to say it didn't work out.

Your jackshaft idea would definitely work - but then drive to what... If using a protodie spool or custom spool, then you've got your rear drivetrain figured out. If using an RPM gearbox, then it looks like it has gear reduction built in so no jackshaft is necessary. Guess you could use one just to center the drive, though.

That 67 ft lb of torque, couple with 95 hp sounds nice. I really like the fact it takes less than 6500 rpm. Keep us posted.

Greg

Anyone that wants me to check this out, let me know:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2513222329.html