Rear Wheel Conversion Question

[sandman]

I've seen a few pics of the old Kats with CBR wheels on them (sinners). The Yoshimura Katana 1135 is a good example but they've got a custom swinger. Does that work with our stock swingarm or the bandit 1200 or no? I know of a CBR900 rear wheel for sale thats within the budget.

Thanks, S

[RJ]

What model bike are you dealing with? 5.5" GSXR wheels will fit a '80-'83 1100E swingarm without any mods. You can use that as a reference.

[brveagle]

What bike is the question... Sometimes the rear wheels of other's swap in no problem, most of the time, it costs a litle bit more $$ than expected...

[sandman]

I think that the rear axle bolt is a little bigger on the CBR wheel. That said, I'm wondering if I can machine out the rear mounts or would that be a bad idea? All that stuff has to line up just so... I missed out on a bandit 1200 swingarm the other day - bummer.

Is there going to be a huge difference in the performance between the GS and the Bandit swingarm? Would the Bandit 600 swingarm work?

S

[Ogri]

I think that the rear axle bolt is a little bigger on the CBR wheel. That said, I'm wondering if I can machine out the rear mounts or would that be a bad idea? All that stuff has to line up just so...

S

Don't hog out your swingarm.... Make a bushing for the bearings, or better yet change the bearings to match the axle.....

[sandman]

Don't hog out your swingarm.... Make a bushing for the bearings, or better yet change the bearings to match the axle.....

Is that very difficult to do? I really like the look of the wheel & would like to make it work.

Thanks, S

[KGB]

Again.......what model GS?

[sandman]

Again.......what model GS?

82 Katana 750 (soon to be equipped with an '80 GS1100E engine and possibly the swingarm if its required. Thanks, S

[Ogri]

Is that very difficult to do? I really like the look of the wheel & would like to make it work.

Thanks, S

Since you are going outside of the brand, you will have to measure and remeasure to make sure you have it centered to determine the required size of the spacers required, etc. but anything is possible. For that matter, even if you use Suzuki parts it still will take a bit of doing, but it's not really difficult.
Get to know a machinist. You are going to need him. It's not so much that it's difficult, but it won't be a simple bolt up. Just measure, measure again, and then remeasure. The machinist I go to likes to do custom work but he does not like to take a lot of time figuring out how to do what I want done. I bring him the materials, the parts I'm working with (so he can check my measurements before the cutting, welding, whatever, and then test fit when it's finished.) and a butt-load of measurements. I try to discuss the next project with him prior to bringing it in. many times he has a better idea, and then I go out to the garage and do the homework prior to seeing him again.

I really like the 900rr wheels too. It was my origional intention to use them. I have a set that I used in my early mock-ups. I really wanted to use them but found that I had been burned by the joker on EBay and ended up with a bent set of wheels. So, of course they were not used. Anybody want some 900rr wheels that are good for nothing more than yard art?:-D

[Billy Ricks]

You should be able to use your stock bearing sizes in the new wheel so it will fit your stock axle. At least on my bike the stock wheel had the same od on the bearings as the GSXR wheel. The id of the bearings is different though so you can just run the GS bearings.