Wheel Swap question for GS 1000

[camp2thebell]

Hey, i have a 79 GS 1000. I have seen a lot of custom GS 1000 bikes out there that have GSX-R rims on them, specifically from around 04-05. I was wondering, has anyone done this swap? Does anyone know how to do this swap? How hard is it? I know if I had the rims sitting in front of me, I could probably figure it out, but Im not gonna buy them unless I know how it can be done. Anyone know? I like the idea for looks, but also cus I wouldnt mind having some sportier tires and I dont know anyplace around where I live that sells a sporty tire for my bike. Only those knobby ones.

[trippivot]

a set of cheng shin or hi-max tires are much more affordable than changing the geometry of your wheels.

last conversion I had my hand in cost the bike owner over $1000 parts and labor.

new wheel, brake, tires, Machine work for the rear and a complete front end with trees forks brakes fender new light mount new gauge mount etc...

if it worth it to you go-head on! modified bikes modified problems

[Big T]

You can order sportier tires from any bike shops catalogs. Pirelli Sport Demons and Avon AV 22s are favorite sport tires.

Newer wheels like that need a new front end, new swingarm and mods. The GS 500 wheels are almost a bolt on, just needs spacers

[nvr2old]

I would think that swapping out the swing arm, forks, wheels and everything else involved would be (as mentioned), expensive, and a handful for someone whose never done it before..me included. If just better/sportier tires are what you're hoping for through it all, then there are definitely tires available. I just spooned on a real nice set of Continental "Cont-Blitz" tires on my '79 GS1000S. Avon makes tires that work, and so does Michelin. Figure on spending close to $300 for tires including mount/balance, but the rewards are there. Cheng Shin makes them, too, way less expensive..but they're not the best choice for performance tires. You get what you pay for with tires, so it basically boils down to your riding style.

[camp2thebell]

What would be something, say, similar to a tire on a rocket? I want the nice rounded tread. Any ideas if its possible to put a slightly wider tire on? It would be nicer to have some extra stability.
Any suggestions? And where exactly to find them?

[nvr2old]

What would be something, say, similar to a tire on a rocket? I want the nice rounded tread. Any ideas if its possible to put a slightly wider tire on? It would be nicer to have some extra stability.
Any suggestions? And where exactly to find them?

The Continentals I put on my S model look like slicks with tread. Beautiful round profile. I mounted a 130/80x18 on the back and a 110/80/19 on the front. Both larger than factory but look perfect on the bike. You can see mine if you click on my profile and go to the album there.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Using an 80 series is pushing the tire size limits of what the GS wheels were designed for

[nvr2old]

I agree 100%. Certainly could've gone with a 90 series, too. I've had these tire sizes on other bikes with the same rim size and have had good success. They handle really nice and wear very evenly.

[1978GS1000custom]

i did the swap. you end up with a different bike entirely (which my wife now wants to take over).when i did the project i found and bought a completely lost gs1000 that was beyond restore within a reasonable budget. if the gs1000e was any bit nicer i would have just restored it back to new like i did before to others. bridgestone battleaxe tires is what i run now and they look really sporty on the stock bikes as well in stock sizes. if you do decide to do the swap its alot of work fabbing and welding things. and quite a bit of tooling and gigs are nessary for it to be a safe switch. with all the new components that get installed suspension tuning becomes kinda interesting. but once you get it dialed in, its quite a machine~ fast as what and with all the handling necessary for safe high speed cornering and performance. the only way to convert to the newer rims is to switch everything. aftermarket custom wheels are available thru alot of dealers in these sizes and look great on these classic bikes. so if she still nice shes better off left original. stock bikes do have a certain charm that cant be replaced. i am looking to buy a stock gs1000 to restore next so i can have both.. cliff