Rear tire for 1980 Gs1100E??

**cleonard** · 01-10-2008, 04:27 PM

The best way to decide on a tire sire is to use the tire manufacturers recommendation. The first thing you need to know is the size of your rim. Then go the the tire manufacturers website and look up the tires. You will see a recommended rim width. Get a tire that is for your rim width. I have found that you can go one size over and still have a decent fit. When you go to two steps the tire just doesn't fit right. For example putting a tire that is speced for a 3 inch width rim on a 2.15 just does not work well.

**paco13** · 01-10-2008, 07:42 PM

The stock rear rim on my 1980 GS1100E has 2.50 rim width, stamped on the rim near valve stem. I run Pirrelli 130/90/17

**chuckycheese** · 01-13-2008, 09:29 PM

130/90-17??

I measured my tire on my 1980 GS750L, which is a 130/90-16......based upon the width of that tire and the size of those tires specified on the internet (about 5.1 inchces)...there is zero chance that such a tire would fit on a 1980 GS1100E....there simply isn't enough space to make it fit. I measured the distance between the swing arm brace and the chain guard on the GS1100; it won't fit!!!!!!!

Comments would be appreciated because if someone's got a 130/90-17 on a 1980 GS1100E, I'd be interested to know how you did it.

**Guest** · 01-14-2008, 03:56 AM

I have a tire mounted in my shed on one. I'll check the tire size tomorrow.

**chuckycheese** · 01-14-2008, 10:20 AM

Great!

Thanks, Bill. I'll be interested to see what you find. Paco says he has a 130/90-17 mounted on his '80 1100E but I just can't imagine how he got it to fit based on my measurements. Maybe we'll hear from him...hope so!

EDIT: I measured it again and I was just, plain wrong. It's fairly tight but should fit with no problem. I don't know how I missed it the first time....could have been all the beer I drank.

**paco13** · 01-14-2008, 08:48 PM

I just had to go outside and check to make sure I wasn't crazy then came back and saw your edit.

**paco13** · 01-14-2008, 09:07 PM

Just in case

kinda hard too see but.....

**Steve** · 01-14-2008, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by lurch12_2000

By the way I recently put Cheng Shin Hi-Maxx tires (100/90-19 front and 130/90-17 rear) on my GS1100G and like the handling, looks, and ride. Since I only have a few hundred miles on them I can't report on wear life span.

Well, let me give you a hint or two about tire life with the Hi-Max tires. I put some on my wife's 850L a couple of years ago. Mind you, she is emphatically not a peg-scraper in the corners, so I can't comment on cornering grip, but the wear bars are finally showing in the center of the tread after 14,000 miles. \\

/ The tires have never disapointed us, we have ridden on gravel roads and in lots of rain, with absolutely no problems. For an economy-priced tire, they are actually rather respectable.

.

**chuckycheese** · 01-14-2008, 09:40 PM

Thanks!!

Originally posted by paco13

I just had to go outside and check to make sure I wasn't crazy then came back and saw your edit.

I never for a minute doubted your judgment!!! Thanks for the information. I realize it's a 'tight squeeze'...but 'do-able'. With that, I intend to go the 130/70-17 route!!

:-D:-D:-D

**lurch12_2000** · 01-14-2008, 09:46 PM

did you mean 130/90-17?

**chuckycheese** · 01-15-2008, 09:04 AM

Yes

Originally posted by lurch12_2000

did you mean 130/90-17?

Yes!! All these numbers are starting to mix me up even worse!

**alang07** · 08-08-2008, 02:22 PM

80 gs1100 e tire- can i go tubeless?

Can I run a tubless tire on my gs?

**doctorgonzo** · 08-08-2008, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by alang07

Can I run a tubless tire on my gs?

Depends on the year, pretty sure that spoke wheel = No.

**Zook** · 08-09-2008, 10:33 AM

I have to agree on the Cheng Shin (I have another name for them) Hi-Max.
The OEM Pirelli rear was toast in 4k miles and I was in Norfolk, VA when I saw the tire was bald! Had gobs of tread when I left STL....only tire in town in my size (120/90-18) was the Cheng Shin.
Pulled the wheel off in their lot, they changed and balanced it and lubed up the wheel splines real nice and I was out the door for about $80. Norfolk Honda folks were pretty nice, too.
I put about 8k on it before changing it. Still had tread but it was squaring off a bit due to mostly Interstate riding and I was heading to Deal's Gap so I went with my usual Conti Tour, which costs a bit more but works better.

**Guest** · 08-09-2008, 11:10 PM

I just bought a Cheng Shin Hi-Max. I'll install it on Monday and let everyone know.
Alot of praise sung here for these.