mounting a front tire on the rear backwards?

[surviverguy]

I've been looking at Shinko tires for my 1980 GS450ET with mag wheels. The Shinkos are radial tires. The specs for my bike call for 3.00-18 front and 3.50-18 rear. Is a good front tire size 100/90V-18? It's available. I think 110/90v-18 would be good for the rear. The narrowest 18 available in Shinko rear tire is a 120. 120 is too wide; I think- to clear the chaingaurd and swingarm?....
110/90v-18 is available as a front tire. Would it work ok to mount a front tire 110/90v-18 on the rear with the arrow of rotation pointing backwards? Am I crazy?
Doing it that way gives me two new tires at $115.
What do you knowledgeable and experienced guys think?

[TheCafeKid]

They made 18" front wheels for GSes??

[7981GS]

Although I would never mount a front tire backwards intentionally, when I bought my '78 1000E,
It had so many things that the experts say can't be done that it really makes you wonder.

This rear tire is not only a radial, or a 150/70-17 on a 2.5" rim, it is a tubeless, radial 150 on a tube type 2.5" 17" rim that was worn down to the cords installed backwards!






I guess that it could be possible???


Again, I would not do it.


Oh, BTW, that bike now has a 130/90-17 on it that also "Doesn't fit."


Eric

[surviverguy]

They made 18" front wheels for GSes??

Both the Suzuki and the Haynes manuals list 3.00-18 for front tire for GS450. That's also what's currently on the bike on OEM mag wheels. So, yes, they made 18" front wheels for some GS's.

[surviverguy]

Proper tires found

I spent some more time studying the Shinko offerings and found a rear tire of the right size. No- I won't install a front tire backwards on the rear anytime soon! Came up with 110/90-18 Shinko 712 for the rear at $47.00 and 100/90-18 Shinko 230 tour master for the front $55.00
Looks like $102 for the pair!....now to figure out valve stems!

[Big Rich]

Isn't the front mag wheel only 1.6" wide? If so, that's pretty skinny.......I think even a 90/90-18 is about the largest you could safely fit. But that's all from memory.......

[tkent02]

Do they have a 90/90-18?
It would handle a lot better.

[surviverguy]

I'll have to check on that size...thanks for the idea. I don't know jack chitt when it comes to mc tires.

[tkent02]

Fat tires on the front makes it steer like a truck.

[surviverguy]

Fat tires on the front makes it steer like a truck.

Following your advice- I went with a 90/90/18 front. I also switched from the Shinko's because they didn't offer good 90/90/18's... ended up getting a set of Bridgestone Battlax 45's... Those changes added about $40.... still cheap tires, though.

[mawg]

You'll like the Bridgestones,they work well.Make sure to check out the wheel bearings,brakes,and forks while you've got the wheels off.Plan on rebuilding all of 'em, cause of 30 years of past maintenance issues,they're due anyhow after that long.Have fun,and remember ,we like pictures.

[surviverguy]

The font brake shoes were halfway worn out. I've already slipped new brake pads in there. I replaced the old brake fluid with fresh new stuff. I plan to redo the fork seals and fork oil soon. That fork project might wait till after I get her running and carbs jetted/tuned.
For some reason a PO removed the outer dust seals from the forks. The forks aren't leaking yet and the dampening action feels about right.

[subforry]

This past weekend I mounted Shinko 712. The old Bridgestones has tubes. The valve stems looked like a real problem until I found the chrome threaded ones. The rubber seal came split, so it was easy to install. I think they are working.