850 owners, does this look "normal" ?

[Guest]

So, I just got a "New To Me" (obviously) 1979 GS850. And after I got it home & in the garage, I was looking it over & I noticed how close this tire is to the shaft. What should that spacing be, about... Mine looks to be only about 2-4 mm. That seems a bit tight.

IMG_3102.jpg

Thanks

[BADJACKSON]

I guess I didn't think to check to see if the axle was square in the frame... should have been my 1st move. But the question still remains, what should the spacing be? And if it's off, can I shim it? How would I go about correcting it?

This build is in its infancy (not really even started yet), but this is on my mind now.
Thanks

[alke46]

Correct tire size???

[BADJACKSON]

It's an old tire, I think it was 90-17, which is more narrow than my 1000 rear.

[tkent02]

It's an old tire,

Understatement of the month.

[8ball]

90-17 isn't the entire tire size. 90 is just the aspect ratio. There is another number missing. Yours should be 120/90-17. 120 is the width.

[Brendan W]

It's about 9mm on mine, fitted with a Continental 130/90 TKV12

[loud et]

It's about 9mm on mine, fitted with a Continental 130/90 TKV12

With a 130, mine has about the same gap. Jackson, this is a fixed axle, so unless your frame is bent it's not that. The spacers could be incorrect (check the service manual or parts fiche for assembly.
It's that or you have a 140 or greater tire.

[BADJACKSON]

90-17 isn't the entire tire size. 90 is just the aspect ratio. There is another number missing. Yours should be 120/90-17. 120 is the width.

I am fully aware of how tire sizing works these days. What is unclear to me is how it worked in the '70s & '80s.
If 90 is the aspect ratio, then MT is the size. My tire reads... MT90-17

IMG_3106.jpg

Thanks

[BADJACKSON]

With a 130, mine has about the same gap. Jackson, this is a fixed axle, so unless your frame is bent it's not that. The spacers could be incorrect (check the service manual or parts fiche for assembly.
It's that or you have a 140 or greater tire.

So, I guess when I buy tires, I'll buy a 130 & if I don't like the spacing at that time, I'll look into spacers. I doubt that the frame is bent, I don't see any other signs of an accident. It would have to be warped.
I think that tire is original. Or at least replaced early in the life of the bike.

Thanks for everyone's input so far.

[8ball]

I am fully aware of how tire sizing works these days. What is unclear to me is how it worked in the '70s & '80s.
If 90 is the aspect ratio, then MT is the size. My tire reads... MT90-17

[ATTACH=CONFIG]42625[/ATTACH]

Thanks

That is an Alpha code designation....not used much. "M" is the motorcycle code desig, T is the width "T"=130 (Yours stock was 120 "R"=120),

as I said, we were missing some information.

[kingofvenus]

MT90 is a 130/90 tire.

[Brendan W]

I am fully aware of how tire sizing works these days. What is unclear to me is how it worked in the '70s & '80s.
If 90 is the aspect ratio, then MT is the size. My tire reads... MT90-17

[ATTACH=CONFIG]42625[/ATTACH]

Thanks

MT 90 should be close to a 130/90

http://steelthundercc.com/tiresizes.html

[BADJACKSON]

Ok, thanks guys! I guess when I am going back together, if it isn't right, I'll fix it then. I'll have to keep it in mind though

Thanks!

[loud et]

Jackson, I am reassembling my 850 brat project. The first piece I put on is the swing arm just now. In the manual it says adjust the swingarm left to right with the two pivot bolts to have an even gap between the swingarm and frame on both sides.
The big nut and the Allen head pivot bolt may be slightly adjustable from left to right.
Maybe the po had the L side cranked in all the way before he put the R one in snug and he therefore pushed the swingarm to the extreme right of the gap.
Check it out.
Adam