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Wider rear wheel

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 7:23 am
Author: pignog
I was wondering what would be a suitable size wheel/tyre to have built onto the std drum hub which would fot in the standard swing arm?
17 inch diameter as well, I want to keep fairly standard looking, but with 17" spokes front and rear, and a wider rear.
Thanks.

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 7:31 pm
Author: j.wilson
I started with the question which tyres do I want to fit?

Generally the widest rear fit would be 140/150 or 160- before it rubs on stuff you can't do anything about- depending on what model you are talking about.

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 6:55 am
Author: pignog
It's a Z900,
so a 150/17 would fit with the std swingarm?

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:33 am
Author: j.wilson
The standard rear tyre of a gpz1100 is a 130- it will take a 140 and some 150s, but I doubt the old z900 has clearance for such a large tyre.

I'm sure you will have to measure things and make a list of what will need modifying- such as chain guard, brake torque am- offset sprocket etc etc.

What wheel will you use- as oboviously you can't fit a 150 tyre on the original wheel as it will totally change its shape (loose grip)? Modern 150 tyres are designed for much wider rims (they are lower profile so wheel size and tyre size are closer).

Tyre choice is the important factor as the wheel design is specific to the aspect ratio of the tyre. Its a big change and needs to be done right.

Fit a nice stable modern low profile tyre and you will need to closely match the wheel to the tyre, however if you go for some sort of cruiser Harley type high profile tyre then you can go for a different wheel design and width. Of course these tyres work in pairs- I found a difficulty in matching the front and rear wheel widths and diameters.

For my 160 tyre I use a 5" rim to get a pretty stable and good grip shape. I went for radial tyres used on the on/off road style of the modern trailies which match the wheel sizes (widths and diameters) I chose. They have loads of grip and designed for the sort of lean angles that I get to, and are speed and weight rated for my bike.

There are people here who know lots more about the z900 than I.

wider rear wheel

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:43 pm
Author: Spen72
Image
This is my z1b with an American 16" rear rim...not sure of the tyre size...will find out in the morning. ..it just about fits into the standard swing arm. ..might be going as want a standard rim for it.....

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:15 am
Author: j.wilson
Those big tyres transform anything!

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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:29 pm
Author: zmaxmotorsports
A 3 1/2" rim with a 130 tire is usually plenty of rubber to fill a stock swingarm :)

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:35 am
Author: Jumbo
I am going to fit spoked wheels back onto my bike. I have all the parts now polished by Mikey. The rear rim is 18 x 3.5". The bike has a metmachex swing arm and will probably fit a 150 tyre.

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:10 am
Author: pignog
thanks for the replies. I think a 17" wheel may look too small a diameter within the bike, and look a bit odd, so 18" dia 3.5" wide, may be the way to go.

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:05 am
Author: j.wilson
Good luck with it- post a before and after picture.