Rim swap question

[78550Detroit]

I have a 78 GS550 and a 79 GS550E and I wanted to swap the rims. The 78 which is the bike that I am fixing up has the spoke rims on it with the disc brake on the front and a drum brake on the back. The 79 has the light alloy wheels with discs on both the front and the back. Can I swap the drum brake onto the rear wheel or would I have to take the master cylinder and rear brake system off the 79 and swap it all over to the 78 in order to swap the rims? Here are the links to pics of the two different bikes I am talking about.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/suzuki-history/1978/1978_GS550__450.jpg

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/GS/GS550E/1979_GS550E_black_Japan_450.jpg

If it is more pain then it is worth then I am just going to try and clean up the spoke wheels using naval jelly to get rid of the rust on them. Unless anyone knows a better way to clean up the spokes.

[Vegerito]

on my friends bike we just switched out the forks and put on the tire, and the rear tire just bolted on

[78550Detroit]

were the back brakes the same though? I don't think I could just bolt on the back wheel on the 78 it has a drum brake on the rear now and the rim I want to put on the bike has a rotor and caliper set up for disc brakes on the rear wheel.

[Tom MLC]

Try to get your hands on the factory manual for each. Use the book to compare the difference.

[scotto58]

Rim Swap

The wheels should swap okay but you Will have to swap the master cylinder and other rear brake parts from the 79 to the 78. Good luck with your project.

Scott

[badbrown]

The first question is, Is the rear drum set up cable or hydraulic? If it's cable accuated you will need to swap out the whole system with master cylinder. Then, my best guess is you may want to swap the swing arms. After that the wheels will go right in. Fronts should be a direct swap. I only have rear disc on mine so this is my best offering, good luck.

[78550Detroit]

Thanks everyone for the info

Thanks for all the good info everyone I decided today that I am just going to keep the spoke rims on there for now. I am just going to ride the bike this summer. I will probably swap them out this winter, as of right now the plan is to just ride this summer then tear down and restore this winter. I want to repaint the frame so I will just wait til then to do the swap. But, thanks again everyone for the info.

[Rock]

Coca-cola and tin foil from the kitchen works wonders on rusty chrome. Sounds odd but it really does the job.

[78550Detroit]

Coca-cola and tin foil from the kitchen works wonders on rusty chrome. Sounds odd but it really does the job.

How does that work do you pour the coke on the tinfoil then scrub the spokes? I did try using the naval jelly and it didn't seem to budge the rust at all.The outer edge of the rims are fine just the spokes are rusty.

Any one ever change their spokes is it hard to do? Can you get spokes from anywhere?

[gustovh]

Don't know how rusty your spokes are, but chrome polish has a rust cutter in it. Just scrub with scotch brite lightly with chrome polish. Use a tooth brush for the cracks and hard to get at places.
V

[Rock]

How does that work do you pour the coke on the tinfoil then scrub the spokes? I did try using the naval jelly and it didn't seem to budge the rust at all.

Yes, just keep the foil wet and rub it. I used it on my exhaust that came on the bike originally and it realy worked well. It will clean up some nasty rust.

I have since put a Vance and Hines on it and really like it.

[78550Detroit]

Thanks for the tip I will give it a try.

[derwood]

You should weigh your wheels, a lot of the alloys were actually heavier than the spoked wheels

[78550Detroit]

You should weigh your wheels, a lot of the alloys were actually heavier than the spoked wheels

If there is a difference in the weight what type of problem would that cause? If they are heavier or lighter would this cause a problem with the handling or could it put more wear on the chain and transmission?

[derwood]

No problem at all, the less unsprung weight the better, you just said in your initial post that you wanted to change to the light alloy wheels, I just thought i'd let you know that they probably aren't light(er)...than spokes.