Tires for spoked GS 1000 wheels...

[sharpy]

This was my brothers bike but as you can see the 17's just dont look right. same size rims/tyres as a RGV 250.





And the 18's on mine/bosses race Kat. And yes its missing the lower engine mount. Apparentally they say the handle better at Bathurst when they where left out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just wasnt on there when the pic was taken , sorry

[donimo]

Man, I really need to find a book on spoked wheels or something. I wanted them a little bit before, but now I want them a LOT.

I have checked every junker within 200km, not one gs400/450 at all let alone one with spokers...

Any 400/450 guys on here know if other model bikes have wheels that bolt up? I gotta keep it as cheap as possible so lacing up customs is kinda out.

BEAUTIFUL BIKES people

[salty_monk]

18" front with a 17" rear would probably be my preferred route...

[Big T]

A few notes from someone who's done it

My 78 GS 1000 came with wire wheels, eventually the spokes rusted and I had a local guy relace with SS spoke from Buchanon's. $75 parts and $75 labor per wheel. He noted that the SS spoke nipples are a bit larger, so he had to drill the holes in the rim.

I put on Avon Super Venom AM 18s, 100/90-19 and 120/90-18. The rear is the correct size, with a chicken strip of about 3/8".

The front is too big, with a chicken strip of about 1". It is obviously bulged up on the smaller rim and can't get fully on the sides. So, I'd go for a 90/90-19 in hindsight.

[sharpy]

A few notes from someone who's done it

My 78 GS 1000 came with wire wheels, eventually the spokes rusted and I had a local guy relace with SS spoke from Buchanon's. $75 parts and $75 labor per wheel. He noted that the SS spoke nipples are a bit larger, so he had to drill the holes in the rim.

I put on Avon Super Venom AM 18s, 100/90-19 and 120/90-18. The rear is the correct size, with a chicken strip of about 3/8".

The front is too big, with a chicken strip of about 1". It is obviously bulged up on the smaller rim and can't get fully on the sides. So, I'd go for a 90/90-19 in hindsight.

Whats a chicken strip? Seriously thats why you put larger/wider rims on your bike to set it up properly. Yes you can put 160,170 or 180's on but why? Notice the signage on that Kat i raced? Tyres for Bikes was/is a good shop but when my GS was getting better wheels i could have wacked any size/width on but stuck with what 18's because the thing handles nice without any "pressure" or chicken strips to have the latest fad. There old bikes and dont need big wheels execpt to keep up with the jone's. It has exactly the same running gear(swingarm,shocks) as the best superbikes where using in the GS/Katana heyday so why go bigger? Yes there 29 yr old shocks/pipes but are on the list to upgrade. Yes some times its hard for choice running 18's but it looks right with the profile and stuff like that. My brothers Kat had the big wheels because he didnt like my "skinny" wheels, more fashion than anything i say. Thats my little rant, SORRY

P.S.... When you get your wheels done more than likely the hub/rim will need to be drilled aswell to suit the 8 guage spokes they will use. And gest at least 5 spare spokes for later. Not hard to replace just have to have the tyre removed and if a inner spoke about 3 other spokes need to be undone.

[Big T]

Sharpy,

The chicken strip is the unused portion of the tire along the edge around the circumference

Ideally, the chicken strips should be about equal on the front and rear,

Since mine's too wide on the front (23mm)



compared the rear (9 mm)



, my front tire's too wide for the rim

[sharpy]

Sharpy,

The chicken strip is the unused portion of the tire along the edge around the circumference

Ideally, the chicken strips should be about equal on the front and rear,

Since mine's too wide on the front compared the rear, my front tire's too wide for the rim

Was being sarcastic, sorry. I know what they are thanks anyway.

[Big T]

Was being sarcastic, sorry.

Must have been your accent, I didn't understand your question*

See my photos

Going to a 2.15 rim up front would cure that.

[sharpy]

Must have been your accent, I didn't understand your question*

See my photos

Going to a 2.15 rim up front would cure that.

Have a 2.50x18/4.25x18 setup now and no chicken stips here. Dont need 160,170 or 180 wide tyres just need a good setup i say. The front is 112mm wide and the rear 145mm wide with those rims

[first timer]

Have a 2.50x18/4.25x18 setup now and no chicken stips here. Dont need 160,170 or 180 wide tyres just need a good setup i say. The front is 112mm wide and the rear 145mm wide with those rims

excellent info!

Any idea what width those old magnesium morris mags came in? What size tires did they race in back in the day?

[salty_monk]

Spoke wheels I have are 1.85 19F & 2.15 18R

Just for info. Supposed to be Alloy ones from a 1000.

Dan