Wide 17" spoked wheels on a Katana 1100 .

[robinjo]

I was dreaming a little, thinking of things to modify on the bike and came across a pair of spoked wheels suitable according to the ad for the GS550-750-1000 for sale. My idea was to use the hubs, beadblast them, paint em black or silver and put on a 3,5" front and 4,5" rear wheel rim (aluminium! yummie =P~ ) with a 17" diameter and new spokes and use my old sprocket, sprocket carrier, speedo drive and brake discs.

Can I use the hubs or are they different? axle diameter? Mine are 29mm back and 12mm in the front. Pro's and con's? I already thought of speedo inaccuracy

[robinjo]

Nobody? OK lets seperate the thing I need to know from the rest of my babbling What diameter are GS750 wheel axles?

[Katana]

A deafening silence!!
I don't know if I could help , although I'd love to be kept in touch with your progress.
I do know that if you undersling the brake calliper on the rear tyre you can get away with a HUGGGEE rear tyre! :twisted:

cheers Michael

P.s. love the avitar!!

[Doze]

Michael, why does underslinging the caliper make a difference on what size tire you can run versus putting the caliper on top?
Doze.

[Diamondj]

Hey Robinjo,

This is the first time I've seen your message. I have seen pictures of other Kats with spoked wheels so it should be possible. I want to say the axle diameters on my '78 GS1000 are 17mm front and 20mm back but the diameters you are giving for your stock axles (12mm front & 29mm back) are making me think I'm not remembering it correctly? I'll check tonight when I get home. Either way if this is something you really want to do, you can always change the wheel bearings to give you the I.D. you need and then use the stock bearing spacers out of your current wheels.

More later!

Jim

[Anonymous]

they should fit no probs the front hubs are the same from waterbottle gt 750 right through.. rear from gs750 on fits all gs 1000 gs 1100 katana etc .. 8) ozman

[Anonymous]

Discovolante (spelling...) has all sorts of parts for making wire wheels. If you're lucky there will be a standard # of spokes and standard pattern which will allow you to mix and match outer bands.

Steve

[robinjo]

Discovolante (spelling...) has all sorts of parts for making wire wheels. If you're lucky there will be a standard # of spokes and standard pattern which will allow you to mix and match outer bands.

Steve

Thanks Steve, i checked out the website but the're way out of my budget. But they do make sell some great stuff, drooling material! =P~ Lots of good info in the other replies as well, THANKS! If I go through with it I will keep you guys updated...

[saaz]

Agree with ozman. I have a GT750 wheel that fits on the GS. The Kat used the same spoked wheels, they brought out special models for proddie racing in Australia (my current wheels were used on one I think). When I put on the 18" front spoke wheel, I used a speedo unit off an 18" suzuki....450 I think

[Anonymous]

The most economical source I have found for spoke wheel bits is Central Wheel Components in the UK. They were cheap enough that even with shipping to Canada (which was a LOT), it was cheaper to do a set of supermoto rims from them than from Buchanan's in the US. Check them out before you give up:

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/home/index.shtml

Mark

[Paul]

The most economical source I have found for spoke wheel bits is Central Wheel Components in the UK. They were cheap enough that even with shipping to Canada (which was a LOT), it was cheaper to do a set of supermoto rims from them than from Buchanan's in the US. Check them out before you give up:

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/home/index.shtml

Mark

I used to have wheels laced there years ago. The company was a lot smaller then, & the wheel was built whilst you waited, (& watched it being built!).
They were one of the cheapest around then, & as it is only about 15 miles from where i live......
The staff used to work at the Triumph motorcyle factory before it went bust and turned into a co-operative. This was the original Triumph, not the Triumph that we have now.

[robinjo]

The most economical source I have found for spoke wheel bits is Central Wheel Components in the UK. They were cheap enough that even with shipping to Canada (which was a LOT), it was cheaper to do a set of supermoto rims from them than from Buchanan's in the US. Check them out before you give up:

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/home/index.shtml

Mark

Thanks for the link and NO I'm not giving up Still making up my mind about a few things though. Should I go 17" front and back or use a 18" up front and a speedo drive from a 450 to keep the speedo correct. Do I want aluminium rims or chromed steel, i can probably get some nice chrome rims at the local boneyard if I'm lucky for a lot less.

Another thing, instead of the set of wheels in my first post wich are 150 miles away I spotted an ad from a guy 20 miles away who's parting out a '78 GS1000, did they have wire wheels? with 2 front discs or 1? Haven't received a answer to the mail I sent him and barely have time or the memorie to call him...

[Anonymous]

If it was me, I would only go for 17" wheels now. At least that way you get access to current tire technology. Why go to all of this trouble and still be stuck with old-tech rubber? With 17's you get to have that retro look with all of the modern traction. Perfect!

Mark

[robinjo]

Okay now were getting somewhere, went to the classic bike and parts event and spoke to Cok van den Heuvel the old Japanese bike specialist who was there. In the near future I'm bringing over the Katana so we can check what fits a what not from his huge stash of parts. Why I didn't think of that ealier I don't know ](*,)

So that's the hubs probably taking care of [-o< I can get spokes (zinc coated, stainless, or chromed) at Haan wheels overhere and probably rims too or else at this place: http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/home/index.shtml as suggested earlier.

Already have a nice extra set of perforated discs from another Katana coming this way from a Katanaclub.nl member along with another front fender to mess about with or put on another one to match the 17" front wheel.

[sharpy]

wheels

For a start the 550 didn't come with a spoked/disc rear wheel. yes they will fit but on some models there is a 5mm steel plate that sits between the hub and disc which you have to sus and find out for yourself