Rear tire size - 1982 GS450T

[powernurse]

Hello all. I have recently acquired a 1982 GS450T that has been literally hiding in a barn for 23 years. The tires were new - in 2002 - and that's when the bike was parked for unknown reasons. The stock rear tire size is 110/90-17, which apparently has been nearly unavailable for a long time. The tire that was put on the bike in 2002 is slightly wider at 120/90-17, probably because the PO couldn't find the 110 width. It looks good, but it rubs slightly at the chain guard. What have other people done - go wider in width as was done here, or fit a shorter tire of 110/70-17?

[Nessism]

IRC Durotour RS310 110/90-17 60H Rear Motorcycle

IRC

$87.39

https://www.americanmototire.com/street-cruiser-touring/irc-durotour-rs310-110-90-17-60h-rear-302556-mc.html

[Nessism]

Free shipping from these guys

Screenshot 2025-08-20 090134 by nessism, on Flickr

[LAB3]

Never had a problem running a 120 on mine, probably had three or four different tires on it during the time I owned it. Are you sure you have the axle spacers on the correct sides? That would do it!

[Nessism]

Never had a problem running a 120 on mine, probably had three or four different tires on it during the time I owned it. Are you sure you have the axle spacers on the correct sides? That would do it!

A 120 on a 450 is like a fat girl in a bikini. The rim width is way too small for a 120.

[grcamna2]

I had a 1982 GS450TXZ with spoke wheels;I also Could Not find a 110/90x17.. looked everywhere.
I bought the bike with a Chen Shin 120/90x17 and it was bad,so had to change it.
I decided to replace my back wheel with an 18" rear wheel from a GT250.
I researched it and found the hub is the same part # as my GS450TXZ,so I installed the wheel using my GS450 brake plate/shoes.
The GT250 rim is only 1.85x18" (the GS450TXZ has an 2.15x17 rear rim) and it comes stock with a 3.50x18 rear tire on the GT250,which isn't as wide as my original size 110/90x17 tire,but it worked ok.
I don't recommend doing it this way,but just saying,I did it.

[LAB3]

A 120 on a 450 is like a fat girl in a bikini. The rim width is way too small for a 120.

That could very well be but I put over 20k miles on that bike running 120's, what is YOUR personal real world experience?

[Nessism]

That could very well be but I put over 20k miles on that bike running 120's, what is YOUR personal real world experience?

Okay, I take it back...somewhat. For the 1982 450T the rear wheel is a 17 x 2.15. A 120 can be used on a 2.15, although it's max size for that width. I was thinking it was a 1.85 width tire, and I would not use a 120 on that size.

[powernurse]

Never had a problem running a 120 on mine, probably had three or four different tires on it during the time I owned it. Are you sure you have the axle spacers on the correct sides? That would do it!

I have not removed the wheel yet, but I will take careful note of the current configuration before removal and replacement. This was helpful; thank you.

[powernurse]

I had a 1982 GS450TXZ with spoke wheels;I also Could Not find a 110/90x17.. looked everywhere.
I bought the bike with a Chen Shin 120/90x17 and it was bad,so had to change it.
I decided to replace my back wheel with an 18" rear wheel from a GT250.
I researched it and found the hub is the same part # as my GS450TXZ,so I installed the wheel using my GS450 brake plate/shoes.
The GT250 rim is only 1.85x18" (the GS450TXZ has an 2.15x17 rear rim) and it comes stock with a 3.50x18 rear tire on the GT250,which isn't as wide as my original size 110/90x17 tire,but it worked ok.
I don't recommend doing it this way,but just saying,I did it.

This is an impressive solution, but perhaps a bit too ambitious for me at the moment. Certainly I will keep your approach in mind; thank you.

[grcamna2]

This is an impressive solution, but perhaps a bit too ambitious for me at the moment. Certainly I will keep your approach in mind; thank you.

The solution to find the exact size 110/90x17 which member Nessism mentioned with an IRC Duro-Tour RS-310(it is available !)or another brand may be possible,but certainly is aLot of work and time-consuming on the computer.
The use of the same size tires, will yield you the best handling bike.
I think,as long as the width & circumference of the replacement tire are very close to the original size,it can be tolerable.
Different brand tires have some slight(width,outside diameter..)size differences which may allow you to install a 120/90x17 that is the smallest profile available from a manufacturer,somewhere..