Katana Wheel/Front end upgrade for a 85GS550ESF

[Colorado85gs550]

when you say "complete" does this mean it will come with the bars, brakes, fender, etc? so that all I would have to do is make my brake lines work and make a bracket for the guage cluster to work? or just the forks? If I read this correctly I'd still need a front wheel too? Do you have a picture of everything I'll get? Sorry for so much.....but I've never ventured into this kind of swap and I don't want to be down without a bike for too long. I may need to get the front end from you and get it ready for the swap AFTER I get the rear swap done first......I'm assuming the rear swap with the swingarm and rear tire/wheel will go easier/cheaper first.....with less downtime.

What year/model can I get the 4.5 inch rear wheel for this thing?

[Colorado85gs550]

how much do you think shipping would be up here to Colorado Springs?

[Colorado85gs550]

this is my starting platform..........

[kingofvenus]

I'm in Texas. $100 complete with triples and bar mounts above the triple. I have a set of rotors I'll throw in. One is warped, don't remember which one. For the cost of seals I would even put them on for you.

Kingofvenus' wheel is the one I believe he won from me in a charity auction we held here. It's a 3.5" wheel from an '88 I believe.

Yes, that is the one. I just switched to a 4.5 from an '89 1100 gsxr. The 3.5 was way easier to swap in. I'd let it go for $20 plus shipping from here in Wi. Includes the rear caliper mount, rotor also but no caliper or bearings. had to use center spacer for mine but have new one to pick up from dealer to include.

[Colorado85gs550]

did the swap to the 3.5 also require the GS700 swingarm? What size tire fits on the 3.5 inch wheel? can you figure shipping for me to 80809? Thanks...

Paul

[kingofvenus]

Looked like Lee550es had the Kat wheel on his with the stock swingarm. My '83 750 has the same swingarm as the 700's I would think shipping wouldn't be much more than $10 or $12 via USPS. 140/70 radial is the biggest you would want on a 3.5, I changed to the 4.5 to go up to a 160/60.

[Colorado85gs550]

how do you want payment.......will paypal work? I can send you $50 paypal to cover paypal's fees and to be sure there is enough money for shipping. will this suffice?

Paul

[Colorado85gs550]

Looked like Lee550es had the Kat wheel on his with the stock swingarm. My '83 750 has the same swingarm as the 700's I would think shipping wouldn't be much more than $10 or $12 via USPS. 140/70 radial is the biggest you would want on a 3.5, I changed to the 4.5 to go up to a 160/60.

what size tire is currently on the wheel?

[Old Colt]

Here is a pic of a Katana 750 fork on my 83 550,

This was a straight bolt on, I also modded the original front fender to mount to the fork brace of the new forks.

[Colorado85gs550]

which rear swingarm are you using and how wide is that rear tire?

[Old Colt]

The swingarm is also from the Katana. It is wider than the original frame at the pivot. This bike has a GSXR1100 engine in it and the frame was widened to suit. This is running a Yamaha R1 6" wide rear rim, Not exactly a simple bolt in.

[Colorado85gs550]

definately not what I'm after......but sure looks COOL

I'll go with the GS700 swingarm swap, and the 88 Katana 750 front/rear swap for now.....sounds like almost a direct bolt-on. I think I read somewhere about milling the rear wheel for the sprocket to align with the drive sprocket.......is this correct? Or will this 3.5 inch Katana rear simply bolt on using my spacers?

[Old Colt]

For the 3.5 rear wheel the GS500 would be a similar chainline. It's sprocket mount may be the right choice with the later style wheel. I Have been looking into this to install a 4.5 wheel on another GS550. I just have not done it yet.

[skidMarkNZ]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=139826&highlight=gs650g

Thats mine there i went with an rgv250 vj22 front end...

Here is a list of all bikes with same bearing sizes (makes life real easy for front end swaps)

http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/OCRStemSizes.pdf

I found it useful maybe you can dig something out of it.

Skid

[kingofvenus]

what size tire is currently on the wheel?

A 140/70/17 D205 Sportmax with about a 1/4 of it's tread left. The wheel itself is bare aluminum (no paint) with the edges polished. There were raised letters that were cast into one of the spokes that were ground off smooth. I stipped the black paint that was on it off to polish the wheels center section but never got that far with it. I guess a paypal deal would be okay.