I'm in the twin club….

[tkent02]

Yeah, don't tell her I said so, but she's a keeper.

[Charlie G]

Tom,

They've been putting the upper end of a GR 650 on them. Don't know the particulars.

cg

[tkent02]

Tom,

They've been putting the upper end of a GR 650 on them. Don't know the particulars.

cg

I know about that one, if I can find a running engine to throw in I'll consider doing this over the winter.

[pete]

Good deal Tom!

If the engine's as bad as that, I'd be tempted to get a donor 500 engine and do the cylinder/piston swap... "bwanna" on here has done the swap, so you might want to PM him for the details.

[Charlie G]

I know about that one, if I can find a running engine to throw in I'll consider doing this over the winter.

Of course you do....what was I thinking

[tkent02]

Anyone have an engine opened up that could check something on the transmission for me?

Or even better, anyone have a spare 450 engine they don't want?

[Flyboy]

What is that I smell........................
A nice light twin.............screaming for a wee HP increase................it couldn't be................could it?......................nah.....................o r maybe it is...........................a stylish little cafe?

[tkent02]

What is that I smell........................
A nice light twin.............screaming for a wee HP increase................it couldn't be................could it?......................nah.....................o r maybe it is...........................a stylish little cafe?

Who knows? Could happen. I do have a Sawzall and a license to use it. And a new 50 year old welder. And a hammer. And some paint.

But I would have to buy a 450L to do that. Can't cut a real motorcyce with a soul and everything. That would be so wrong.
Alas, I have no such plans. The second 550 was going to be a bit of a cafe something or other. Not in the stylish cafe way of today, but more of a low budget speedster like the originals. Cut everything off that doesn't make it go, stop, or corner.

This one, probably more of a stock looking bike that blows away the bigger stuff. Yeah, that 500 motor would work.

But for now just want an engine to throw in it. See how I like it.

I have still never ridden a Suzuki twin since the T500 was new.

[tkent02]

Ok, another question. The 450 has a 100/90-18 on the front, and a 110/90-18 on the back. That seems really odd to me.

Needs tires before riding it too much, which sizes will let the bike handle the best?

[pete]

Tom, I have first hand experience to tell you those sizes will be ok and rideable, but she'll have some weird tip in feelings with the front that wide being pinched onto that tiny rim. In addition, you will kill the centre of the rear tyre quick smart.

I had those sizes in Sport Demons (narrowest front they have) and thought they were great at first until I kept going through rears in 5500km's.

Then I put the Avons on in a 90/90-18 front and a 100/90-18 rear and am running 32psi front/rear. They are superb! The tip in is so much better... it is consistent all the way over and they grip all the way. You know how good the RoadRiders are so I don't need to sell them to you

Apparently Avon says the correct rear is a 4.00-18 but I didn't know that at the time... however I'm having no issues at all with the 100/90-18 on there.

I've only got nearly 1200km's on them so far though, haven't done any big day rides since getting them on yet but will be rectifying that next Sunday.

[tkent02]

I found in the manual 3.00x18 front and 3.50x18 rear was the original correct size, does Avon make them that small?
I'm not finding the small sizes in any of the sticky performance tires.
Shinko's 30 smallest front is 100 width, I know going fat makes the bigger bikes handle like trucks, don't want to go there with this one.

Have found smaller in dual sport type tires, Shinko 244 etc.

Don't want to go there either.

[pete]

Yeah they're the stock sizes alright but the Avons don't come in those... the 90/90-18 seems to be the closest you can get to the 3.00-18 and same with the 100/90-18 for the 3.50-18... Their 4.00-18 is the only other option there.

I'm using this for reference:

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/roadrider

Seems they have no tyre really recommended for our 1.60" front rim!

[tkent02]

OK, I guess 90/90-18 and 100/90-18 Roadriders will be it.

Thanks!

[pete]

Yup, indeed! And no worries at all, I know you'll enjoy 'em

[tkent02]

If I find an engine fir it. There's one on Craig's for $200, but it's a long drive, the guy hasn't been forthcoming with much information. I fit was closer, or if it was $100, or if he wanted to sell it more...