Biggest tire for stock swing arm? Gs550e

[scottJ78]

78 GS 550 e
Stock swing arm. Looking for a non bicycle tire -.-
Don't get me wrong, I'm all about restoring classics but, I want a bigger tire on the rear. Anyone know the max tire size I could use?

Also, caught wind of a rumor that a GSXR swing arm would fit on. Obviously with a little fab work. Curious if anyone has tried this. If so how'd it work out. Thanks!

[jeff.saunders]

A bigger tire changes the handling. Instead of a bike that goes where you point it, you have a bike that over steers and dives into corners.

If you are looking for more grip, get a softer tire rather than a wider tire.

[scottJ78]

I understand I'll lose handling. I'm not trying to go to a 190 or anything. Maybe 160 max. But I didn't know if I could bc stock size is a 130

[Agemax]

you cant fit a wider tyre without fitting a wider wheel

[Steve]

I understand I'll lose handling. I'm not trying to go to a 190 or anything. Maybe 160 max. But I didn't know if I could bc stock size is a 130

The 130 that is on there is not the stock size. Looking in the parts fiche, the stock size is a 3.75 x 18, which translates to about a 95 mm tire. Since they come by 10s, it would be a 100/90-18. It would be reasonable to presume that you could fit a 110/90 on there, but a 120 or 130 would be too wide for that 2.15" wheel. It would take a 2.50" wheel to let you safely mount a 130.

To go with a 160 tire, you will have to go to something like a 4" wheel, but you will also have to worry about offsetting your sprockets and chain to get clearance on the tire. Offsetting the chain also gets into frame clearance, and the whole project starts to "snowball".

Not sure what you are trying to acheive with the wider tire, but know that it is MUCH more fun to learn to ride well, then blast past other riders on larger machines. When they finally catch up with you, they will marvel at your ability to do it on those skinny little tires.

Personal opinion (to which you are entitled) is that "how it works is more important than how it looks".

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[TeamDar]

I understand I'll lose handling. I'm not trying to go to a 190 or anything. Maybe 160 max. But I didn't know if I could bc stock size is a 130

The only way a GS550 would do 160 is if you push it off of a cliff.

[Steve]

The only way a GS550 would do 160 is if you push it off of a cliff.

He's talking tire width, not speed.

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[TeamDar]

He's talking tire width, not speed.

.

Oh I see...but it was still funny

[scottJ78]

Wish I would have had my gopro on when I hit buck20. After a ton up, it turns into a 35 year old vibrator.. Sketchy....

[scottJ78]

Understood. Thanks so much. Unless the GS series came with mag wheels, I don't believe they are stock after looking at it. What's the easiest way to upload a picture so I can show you. ?

The 130 that is on there is not the stock size. Looking in the parts fiche, the stock size is a 3.75 x 18, which translates to about a 95 mm tire. Since they come by 10s, it would be a 100/90-18. It would be reasonable to presume that you could fit a 110/90 on there, but a 120 or 130 would be too wide for that 2.15" wheel. It would take a 2.50" wheel to let you safely mount a 130.

To go with a 160 tire, you will have to go to something like a 4" wheel, but you will also have to worry about offsetting your sprockets and chain to get clearance on the tire. Offsetting the chain also gets into frame clearance, and the whole project starts to "snowball".

Not sure what you are trying to acheive with the wider tire, but know that it is MUCH more fun to learn to ride well, then blast past other riders on larger machines. When they finally catch up with you, they will marvel at your ability to do it on those skinny little tires.

Personal opinion (to which you are entitled) is that "how it works is more important than how it looks".

.

[OldVet66]

Generally you can go up one size from stock on the rim. If you do, balance the equation and go up one size on the front also. Otherwise, you get exactly what jeff.sanunders said.

[Steve]

Unless the GS series came with mag wheels, I don't believe they are stock after looking at it.

Only a few of the very early GSes had wire wheels. Starting with the '79 models, there was no choice, they ALL had 'mags'.

What's the easiest way to upload a picture so I can show you. ?

How to post pictures (<-- click link)

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