Mag wheels changed to spoke wheels

[Nick B]

Hi Everyone
I have recently perchased an 82 GS 550 e and would like to know if older wheels from the same or similar models will interchange easily? Specifically I am wanting to go for a laced/ spoke wheel and ditch the mag type wheel. I realise older spoke type wheels had a drum type rear brake set up, is it possible to swap the disc brake set up from the mag wheel to the older wheel? Is there a spoke wheel from another model I could use?
Many thanks for any advice you may be able to offer.

Cheers, Nick

[salty_monk]

Use the wheels from the 750 or 1000 that had a rear disk...

The 1000 ones had an Alloy rim, 750 had a chrome rim.

Dan

[Nick B]

Been looking around and unfortunately the older GS 750, 1000 wheels are rare as rocking horse poo here in New Zealand. Does anyone know if wheels (dare I say it) used for other makes of bikes from the same era could be used on a Suzuki? Putting it out there, all comments and suggestions welcome of course.

[dsg78]

Hi Nick B,

Did you have any luck with the swap as I myself am looking to do the same.

1982 GS 450T mags to spokes off a.........?

[Who Dat?]

Hi Nick B,

Did you have any luck with the swap as I myself am looking to do the same.

I see that you are new to the forum. Did you by chance take a moment to notice that "Nick B" is now just a "guest", which means that he is no longer an active member? Also please note that the last post in the thread was five and a half years ago.

Rather than resurrect a dead thread from a (now) non-member, it might be better to start your own.

[John Park]

Hi Nick B,

Did you have any luck with the swap as I myself am looking to do the same.

1982 GS 450T mags to spokes off a.........?

I have the same bike and run wheels from a'77 - '78 400. The rear brake is a different diameter so you need to use the spoke wheel backing plate, etc. OTW it's a drop in.

The front is easy; just move your brake rotor over to the spoke wheel.

You'll find that many wheels from the mid '70's Suzukis will fit; some with fiddling and some not. I think the GT 380 is the same, as is the 500 rear. You can even use a 19" if you get a higher fender and accept the speedometer will read slow and the steering may be somewhat lazy.

I prefer the feel of the bike with spoke wheels; the original cast wheels seem heavy and dead by comparison. You can also lace wider rims if you like; a 2.15 front and 2.50 rear are on my project list.

[John Park]

I forgot to add that the '78 sprocket carrier is also different so you'll need that as well.