[mlap5150]

Hi. Welcome onboard.

In 2012 Kawa did cosmetic and frame changes, but I believe the front end has stayed the same through all generations - so there is a good chance that it would fit. I read on another forum that a guy fitted 2004 ZX6R front forks to his 2012 model - which is basically the same as your '15.

Although, if you don't want to use clip-ons with that front end, you are going to have to fit up a different top triple tree, and from what I understand, it's not just a simple swap, there's a fair bit of work involved.

Thanks for the info! I'll try to get some measurements to confirm.

Just to share an update with you guys, I built the 15 I picked up a year and a half ago into a road race bike. I swapped in a 2005 ZX10R front end using the info from this thread which worked, but the issue I ran into was pressing the 650 steering stem into the ZX10 lower. The lower got bent in the process and is giving me problems (probably also aggravated by a recent crash 😂) so I'm looking into other options. I know a guy selling a ZX6R front end from his 08, hence my original question.

 

[Ozninjaguy]

Thanks for the info! I'll try to get some measurements to confirm.

Just to share an update with you guys, I built the 15 I picked up a year and a half ago into a road race bike. I swapped in a 2005 ZX10R front end using the info from this thread which worked, but the issue I ran into was pressing the 650 steering stem into the ZX10 lower. The lower got bent in the process and is giving me problems (probably also aggravated by a recent crash 😂) so I'm looking into other options. I know a guy selling a ZX6R front end from his 08, hence my original question.

Since you have the ZX10 front end, why not just buy another lower and get a good machine shop to press the stem into it like before. Might be a hell of a lot cheaper than a complete new front end swap.

 

[mlap5150]

Since you have the ZX10 front end, why not just buy another lower and get a good machine shop to press the stem into it like before. Might be a hell of a lot cheaper than a complete new front end swap.

Yeah I will probably do this eventually and keep the ZX10 front end as a backup. I have a fork issue that needs repair also, and besides I'm getting a really good deal on the ZX6 one. Never hurts to have spares when you're racing

 

[AusEr6guy]

2008/10 zx10 triple trees are the right size for the 04 zx10 forks and also bolt right up to a 650. thats how i got mine on -

If you have a zx6 front end though...

 

[mlap5150]

2007/08 zx10 triple trees are the right size for the 04 zx10 forks and also bolt right up to a 650. thats how i got mine on -

If you have a zx6 front end though...

Does the 07/08 zx10 steering stem fit as well? Or do you still have to press in the 650 stem?

The 650 stem in a 05 zx10 lower is a half inch too short, I had to get it pressed out to fit which means the bottom of the stem isn't flush with the bottom of the hole in the lower. I think that might have created a weak point and could be another reason why it got tweaked.

But yeah I know one of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup riders who has a complete zx6 front end he's getting rid of at a good price so I'm going to go with that and keep the zx10 front end as a backup.

 

[AusEr6guy]

Yes the 2008-10 zx10 triple tree is a bolt on fit for a er650
It holds 50/54 forks
No mess, no fuss
03/04 zx10 forks use a similar axle to the er650 and you can use the same front wheel
All other zx10 forks use a different wheel. You can check the bearing numbers to verify

The zx6 front end is typically 50/52 mm and uses a different axle size so uses a different wheel to the er650

*** This post has been updated ***
I had originally said that the 07/08 ZX10r triple tree is a stright fit for a 650; This is incorrect you need an 2008-10 ZX10r triple

 

[mlap5150]

Yes the 07/08 zx10 triple tree is a bolt on fit for a er650
It holds 50/54 forks
No mess, no fuss
03/04 zx10 forks use a similar axle to the er650 and you can use the same front wheel
All other zx10 forks use a different wheel. You can check the bearing numbers to verify

The zx6 front end is typically 50/52 mm and uses a different axle size so uses a different wheel to the er650

Gotcha, good to know on the 07-08 zx10 triple. I'll keep an eye out for one.

Still going to get the zx6 front end though. It's a complete 05 front end with upgraded forks (springs and valve kit) and includes a wheel.

 

[AusEr6guy]

Yeah the zx6 kit sounds like what you need, especially with a valve kit and wheel

 

[AusEr6guy]

Gotcha, good to know on the 07-08 zx10 triple. I'll keep an eye out for one.

Still going to get the zx6 front end though. It's a complete 05 front end with upgraded forks (springs and valve kit) and includes a wheel.

Correction you need the 2008-10 zx10r triple

 

[mlap5150]

Got the ZX6R front end on the bike. It's actually an 05-06 front end with 03-04 lower triple, so it bolted right on with no modification. Only catch was that I found one of the brake rotors was bent. Thankfully I was able to swap in the 650 rotors, which bolted right onto the ZX6R wheel. Excited to let it rip at the track this weekend 😁

 

[AusEr6guy]

Great to hear it worked out. Note that you have a hydraulic clutch ?? Would you share any details you might have of that ? Did you do the conversion yourself ?

 

[mlap5150]

Great to hear it worked out. Note that you have a hydraulic clutch ?? Would you share any details you might have of that ? Did you do the conversion yourself ?

That's actually a hand lever for the rear brake I got from a stunt bike shop (tacticalmindz). I can't use my feet so I need hand controls for the rear brake and shifter. The normal clutch lever is below the rear brake lever (see 1st pic).

 

[AusEr6guy]

That's actually a hand lever for the rear brake I got from a stunt bike shop (tacticalmindz). I can't use my feet so I need hand controls for the rear brake and shifter. The normal clutch lever is below the rear brake lever (see 1st pic).

i see… I don’t know how Id go with that. My levels of coordination aren’t that great.How do you manage mid corner upshifts? I reckon your a bit better rider than I am …

 

[mlap5150]

i see… I don’t know how Id go with that. My levels of coordination aren’t that great.How do you manage mid corner upshifts? I reckon your a bit better rider than I am …

I try to avoid them but a quick chop of the throttle will allow me to upshift quickly without the clutch. Hoping to find a suitable quick shifter to make the process even easier.

 

[AusEr6guy]

I try to avoid them but a quick chop of the throttle will allow me to upshift quickly without the clutch. Hoping to find a suitable quick shifter to make the process even easier.

Only ones ive seen are with Power commanders or similar. Our bikes have only very basic ECUs and never had it from factory.

 

[Obsidianice]

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