18" cast (5-point style)

[Guest]

Hello, All!

I ride a GN, not a GS but the wheels are a similar design, just painted differently. The GN has an 18" front wheel and 16" rear and I would like to change it to an 18" rear.

Most of the 18" wheels I've found are from the 750's (and up) and have disc brakes. I want to keep a drum brake if I can.

It looks to me like some GS450 models have 18" wheels and a drum brake... The S for sure, but I also see ST and T models referenced but no good summary exists that I can find.

So I guess I'm just asking for a list of models with drum brake on the rear and an 18" wheel? I'll at leas know what I'm searching for then and then I can work out axle sizes/bearing needs, etc.

Thanks in advance! I love this site!

-Deek

[ILoveThumpers]

Sorry I should have posted some pictures of what I'm after...

I'm looking for this:


Not this:


Thanks!

-Deek

[Nessism]

450 is the only drum brake GS with that style wheel.

[ILoveThumpers]

Thanks for the confirmation. I've seen a few on eBay so I guess I'll start there.

Thanks again! I'll have more questions, I'm sure!

-Deek

[greasyjonny]

i have a 81 GS450t and it came with a 17" 5 point wheel on the rear.

[ILoveThumpers]

i have a 81 GS450t and it came with a 17" 5 point wheel on the rear.

It looks to me (based on stock tire sizes) that the S and ST are the 18" wheel models. (Both with drum brakes)

-Deek

[GSX1000E]

Neither the S or ST models ever came with drum brakes.

[ILoveThumpers]

I think you are mistaken.



The parts fiche disagrees as well (Those sure look like shoes to me... no disk in sight):



-Deek

[ILoveThumpers]

I bought a 450ST rear wheel on eBay last night; hope it's straight.

Just working out axle/bearing stuff now.

-Deek

[GSX1000E]

I think you are mistaken.
-Deek

The majority of GSers only think about/refer to the Cooley's as S and ST models. '79 and '80 GS1000's.

[Gorminrider]

In Canada,'80-'81 Canadian and Euro GS400E and GS400S have 18" "star" rear. (front is also 18")
In the US, '80-81 US models 450E and 450S which also have 18" star-type rear (and front too)
These above are the same bike except...Just the difference in the motor... 8 valve GSX400 and 4valve GS450 so I call the GS400's as GSX400's. (I am not the only one but you will see them listed as GS400's in Canada part-books).

The S+E these years are the same bike, but the S has a fairing

The GSX400T is a different bike and has different wheels size(17" rear and 19" front but same star type. I think the L will have 16" rear wheel.

The '82's and 83's change this up and change to the other rim you show.

[ILoveThumpers]

The majority of GSers only think about/refer to the Cooley's as S and ST models. '79 and '80 GS1000's.

Suzuki disagrees.

I guessed there must be a difference between Canada and US in the NA market; there are references to models I'd never heard of.

...In the US, '80-81 US models 450E and 450S which also have 18" star-type rear (and front too)...

You know, I can't actually find any reference to an "S" model in the US in '80 or '81, only "ST" and "SX" I think I must have got that from an erroneous eBay posting or something.

I didn't know about the "E..." model, which is a bummer because there are a few nearer by and cheaper than the one I bought. Oh well.

Does anyone know how to decipher Suzuki's part numbers? The wheels ST vs E are a different part number, but only by one letter. (64150-44000-12U vs ...V)

So I've verified the bearings are the same so the axle will fit; the spacer is the same part number too, so the width must be the same as well. The only bogey I forsee is the "panel" (the part that the brake parts attach to) is a different part number. The brake cam is the same part number so I don't think it can function differently but I wonder how they're different.

Oh well... won't be able to see anything until it gets here.

So: any tire recommendations? (18x1.85)

The bike will be just over 300lbs plus a 200lb rider, mostly city streets and the occasional jaunt down a dirt path just for giggles. No passenger though I may occasionally carry a pack up to 30lbs with a tent/sleeping bag. (It's a general purpose commuter)

-Deek

[tkent02]

We have lots of tire threads. My favorites are Avon RoadRiders AM 26 (not RoadRunners)

[ILoveThumpers]

We have lots of tire threads. My favorites are Avon RoadRiders AM 26 (not RoadRunners)

I had Avons on my GL before I tore it apart; I like them too. Wouldn't go down a dirt path with them, though.

There are precious few tires in the range I'm looking for... There's a handy guide over at Hagon Shocks that shows rim and tire compatibility. For a 1.85 rim, they recommend 300, 310 and 80 widths with 275, 325, 350, 360 and 90 as alternates.

The Metzler ME77 are popular for this rim, but it's strictly street. I guess I'm looking for a dual-sport tire. (Probably not many GS's in the dirt, huh?! )

-Deek

[Steve]

You know, I can't actually find any reference to an "S" model in the US in '80 or '81, only "ST" and "SX" I think I must have got that from an erroneous eBay posting or something.

No, you just need to bone up on some Suzuki terminology.

The "T" and "X" at the end of the model name is the year designator.
If you see "GS450ST", it is a GS450S from the 1980 model year.
If you see GS450SX, it is the same GS450S, but from the 1981 model year.

.