front wheel recommendation

[patrino]

Looking to replace the front wheel on my GS1150 drag bike with something light and skinny. Any recommendations from folks?

Front wheel is currently the stock 16" x 2.5" wheel with one disc removed.

I bought a 250 Ninja front wheel (16" x 2.15") and have it on the shelf. It's narrower, and has a thinner disc than the stocker, and I'm sure is a bit lighter, but is still pretty heavy.

I've been keeping my eyes on various forums / FaceBook groups, looking for Kosman wheels (or similar). I also reached out to old road racing friends, to see if anyone had an old Honda RS125 wheel laying around. No luck on either front so far.

Any suggestions? Axle diameter is currently 15mm, but I can probably make something else work if a larger one's required. I've been looking into front MX wheels (KX85s run a 17" front, with disc brake) but haven't pulled the trigger on anything.

[slayer61]

Find the hub you like & contact Buchanan's for spokes & a rim. They could even build it for you if you like

https://www.buchananspokes.com/

[stetracer]

Suzuki made a 18”x1.60” front wheel. It makes for a nice front wheel for a drag bike.

[stetracer]

Or you can do like I did with my Pro Et. Bike and use a 17”x2.15” and use a street tire.

[patrino]

Great suggestions everyone, thank you!

@stetracer, do you know the approximate year/make/model of the bike with the 18 x 1.85 Suzuki rim? I'm guessing GN250 or similar?

[rapidray]

GS 450, 80-82 I believe. I have one in the shop, wheel that is.
Ray.

[patrino]

Looks like Suzuki GN125?

[patrino]

Good news! Picked up a used 2.15" x 17" wheel from a road racer friend. It is off an old RS125 GP bike. Nice and light (the rotor feels like it weighs as much as the wheel) and I believe even the same bearing size as the GS.

I will send some photos this weekend.

[patrino]

Here is the RS wheel with rotor.

I mounted it on the bike yesterday. Since it also uses a 15 mm axle (like the stock GS wheel), installing it was a snap. But ... besides the dings in the rim, it has some serious wobbles. I am taking it to an alloy wheel specialist in town this week; he said he can assess it and fix it if it is possible. (I was pleasantly surprised he was willing to work on a motorcycle wheel ... some folks see liability risk and will not touch two-wheeled stuff ...)

More news as I get it!

wheel.jpg

[hugo151]

Gs 450/gsx250/400 front wheel is 15mm axle, 1.60 x 18" or if you could us 12mm axle, theres early rg125 front wheel , 1.85 x 16 ". , both single disc.left hand