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Wider rims-form & function

  • Thread starter Thread starter NewOldGS
  • Start date Start date
N

NewOldGS

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Can anybody tell me how wide of a rear wheel I can fit on a '79 GS 1000 L? I'm looking for a wider one (more grip) and I've seen a post about Marauder wheels fitting on '80's GS 550's. Would that work for me? Info would be appreciated.
 
rear wheel

rear wheel

I would go to a new swing arm, you can't get too big a tire on your bike with a stock one. You're a kustomizer, now!!
 
It is possible to go too wide... What do you want? Style/show? Function/Cornering?
 
NewOldGS said:
Can anybody tell me how wide of a rear wheel I can fit on a '79 GS 1000 L? I'm looking for a wider one (more grip) and I've seen a post about Marauder wheels fitting on '80's GS 550's. Would that work for me? Info would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

He want's more grip.
 
In my limited experience...

more grip = softer compound

softer compound = more wear

more wear = more $$$$$$$:shock:
 
NewOldGS said:
Can anybody tell me how wide of a rear wheel I can fit on a '79 GS 1000 L? I'm looking for a wider one (more grip) and I've seen a post about Marauder wheels fitting on '80's GS 550's. Would that work for me? Info would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

i have a marauder wheel on my 78 gs 550 it was a compete bolt on with a nice beefy 150 tire
 
Wider tires are just that. Wider. They don't give you more traction in corners, but they do help if you're having issues with the tire breaking loose in a straight line.

With narrower tires the bike doesn't lean as far for a given corner speed. Which is a good thing. :-) It means you can go faster without dragging parts. And it keeps your suspention more vertical so it can actually do work.

The trend toward wider tires is entirely about dealing with the 100+ modern bikes put out. If you wanna see what racers do with 50hp.. Look at the 125cc motogp riders. They run 110's or 120's in back.
 
Nerobro said:
Wider tires are just that. Wider. They don't give you more traction in corners, but they do help if you're having issues with the tire breaking loose in a straight line.

With narrower tires the bike doesn't lean as far for a given corner speed. Which is a good thing. :-) It means you can go faster without dragging parts. And it keeps your suspention more vertical so it can actually do work.

The trend toward wider tires is entirely about dealing with the 100+ modern bikes put out. If you wanna see what racers do with 50hp.. Look at the 125cc motogp riders. They run 110's or 120's in back.
Click to expand...

Wider tires (or should I clarify- modern, radial tires) have a larger contact patch and they do give you more traction in the corners as well as when the bike is standing up.

I agree that there is only a need for more traction with a 100hp+ bike.
 
I am just curious, ... are you outperforming your tires now? If so, is it in the turns or on takeoff?

I know my tires outperform my bike. Even hanging over the side of the bike I can't corner hard enough to break the tire loose (well, until I start dragging large quantities of metal along the ground, but that's not the tires fault!).
 
JHawkins said:
I am just curious, ... are you outperforming your tires now? If so, is it in the turns or on takeoff?

I know my tires outperform my bike. Even hanging over the side of the bike I can't corner hard enough to break the tire loose (well, until I start dragging large quantities of metal along the ground, but that's not the tires fault!).
Click to expand...

LOL, been there SEEN it...\\:D/ :shock:
 
With this bikes forks I don't do a whole lot of high speed cornering. I was looking more for turning it into a drag bike (still streetable, though). But pretty much all my racing is in a straight line.
 
Hmmmmm?

Hmmmmm?

Could y'all elaborate on the swing arm mods please. Back in the day (as my daughter says) we used to put CB 500 swingarms on our CB 750 dragsters. The swingarm bolted right up and added one inch to the wheelbase. Only those "in the know" could tell the difference. I'm building a '78 GS 1000 and would be very interested in doing the same to it if at all possible. Is there a "Suzuki" swingarm that will bolt up and give me a little more width and / or length? Any tips will be greatly appreciated. Thanx, Guy
 
Last edited:
...coming from a recovering 3-4 tire/year guy, going to a slightly wider tire (140), allows me to run the D205 radial. A tire that grips like crazy, works great wet or dry, and lasts a long time. I get 10k miles on a tire now, vs 5k with bias ply of various makes. So now I'm a 2 tire/year guy, saving money, and getting better traction at the same time.
 
Yeah, I need a pair of them. My stock 2" rim is not good for a 140, the tires wear very badly.
 
Hooked Up said:
Could y'all elaborate on the swing arm mods please. Back in the day (as my daughter says) we used to put CB 500 swingarms on our CB 750 dragsters. The swingarm bolted right up and added one inch to the wheelbase. Only those "in the know" could tell the difference. I'm building a '78 GS 1000 and would be very interested in doing the same to it if at all possible. Is there a "Suzuki" swingarm that will bolt up and give me a little more width and / or length? Any tips will be greatly appreciated. Thanx, Guy
Click to expand...

I just posted this..... after I read an article on a guy, Dennis Smith who set his 1000S up to race and eventaully refigured it for the street years later...

I mention this cause I read where he raced Daytona with a SHORTER than stock swingarm ??? ( ..anyone have any idea why:confused: )

lol also mentions a couple of other sweet Mods; 1023cc kit, 2 ring 11.0:1 pistons, original Wes Cooley cylinder heads and a Suzuki factory close-ratio tranny.....

.... and he got this thing back on the road ...ffs.....:shock:


what a ride that would be....:-D
 
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