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1980 gs850 gl tire size

  • Thread starter Thread starter 2bearms
  • Start date Start date
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2bearms

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I am new to this forum. I just bought a 1980 gs850 gl and want to get new tires. Ive looked at a bunch of different threads on here and see different sizes. Are the size on my bike the only ones that can go on it?
 
The tire sizes you might find on your bike are a crapshoot -- shops often install whatever they have lying around, so you can't count on that.

First off, be aware that the 1980 GS850GL is a little bit odd -- it has a 17 inch rear wheel. Later GL models used 16 inch rear wheels.

The correct sizes for your bike are:
100/90-19 front
130/90-17 rear

Back in 1980, most tires used inch sizing to express the width, so in the fiches you'll find "4.50H-17" for the rear and "3.50H-19" for the front. (The "H" is a weight rating, so you can ignore that for the moment.)

Very few tires are made in inch sizing these days, so you have to convert to modern metric sizing. Technically speaking, 120/90-17 would be closest to the original rear width, but you can safely go to a 130/90-17, which is much easier to find.

And just to get ahead of the most common questions:

1) Your bike originally used tubes. Therefore, you will also need new tubes, unless it's already been converted to tubeless (in which case you should replace the valve stems). Tube sizing can be a little confusing, since they're made in size ranges (they stretch to cover several widths) rather than specific sizes.

2) Modern tires are marked "tubeless". They can be used with or without tubes.

3) Do not install wider tires; you'll goof up the handling. Wider tires can sometimes improve handling on boring low-tech appliances such as cars, but motorcycles require tires the correct width so they can lean smoothly.

4) Yes, it's possible to convert your rims to tubeless. The safest and best option if you have any doubts whatsoever is always to stay with the factory setup and use tubes. If you insist on converting, you'll need special motorcycle valve stems and special tooling to create a sealing surface for the valve inside the rim.
 
Thanks for the info, im getting the carbs rebuilt and ordered new intake boots and should be up and running. There are little things i can do over time but im looking forward to riding. Do you recommend any good sites for parts
 
I've been running tubeless front and rear on both my '80 GS850L and my '83 GS1100G for several years now, no problems. In fact, the front rim says it's rated tubeless. I buy all my tires from Motorcycle Superstore.com, I install my own. I'm currently running Shinko 705 series dual sport tires front and rear. They handle well even in dirt and sand, that's why I buy them. I get about 8k out of the rear, and 16k out of the front. No problem on pavement, rain or snow either.
 
Do enduro tires look good on these bikes? Are motorcycle tires hard to install yourself? Id like to be able to do what i can in order to save myself money.
 
2bearms said:
Do enduro tires look good on these bikes? Are motorcycle tires hard to install yourself? Id like to be able to do what i can in order to save myself money.
Click to expand...

Negative on the "enduro" tires. Those are intended for dirt bikes, and the 850 ain't no dirt bike, although some people take them down a dirt road from time to time.

Yes on changing the tires yourself. You Tube has lots of videos to teach you the way. Maybe you should do some research and then decide if you are up to it.

Good luck
 
on-line

on-line

Buy your tires on-line. You can find some good prices. Many offer free shipping. Before attempting to mount them yourself, call around. I found a small independant tire shop that mounted the pair for $20.
 
The H was for the speed rating not weight, these were the popular speed ratings back in the early and mid 80s S, H, and V. I always tried to use an H rated tire on my bike when I could.


  • M — Up to 81 mph
  • N — Up to 87 mph
  • P — Up to 93 mph
  • Q — Up to 99 mph
  • R — Up to 106 mph
  • S — Up to 112 mph
  • T — Up to 118 mph
  • H — Up to 130 mph
  • V — Up to 149 mph
  • W — Up to 168 mph
  • Y — Up to 186 mph
Sometimes a Z rating is placed on tires rated above 149mph.

Load ranges use an Alpha rating like Load range B, C, etc.

You also have a load rating index now as well.The Load Rating or Load Index indicates how much weight each tire can safely support.

Wait a couple years, they will come up with something new again.
 
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Got my bike back and its running pretty good, i went for a 2 hour ride and it was a blast. I will be ordering my tires in the next week or so. Im up for giving it a shot when it comes to diy tires. Shops here in idaho falls charge $35 a tire off the bike $45 on the bike per tire.
 
Is it possible to stiffen up the shocks ? I like the ride but wouldn't mind it being a bit stiffer
 
2bearms said:
Got my bike back and its running pretty good, i went for a 2 hour ride and it was a blast. I will be ordering my tires in the next week or so. Im up for giving it a shot when it comes to diy tires. Shops here in idaho falls charge $35 a tire off the bike $45 on the bike per tire.
Click to expand...
That's cheap. Around here, expect $70-95 on or off the bike, whether you buy them at their store or not.
 
For that kind of money, I would DEFINITELY be getting a tire changer from Harbor Freight. :eek:

Actually I would have one now, but don't have any room to store it, so I just just a towel on top of my trash barrel and use my irons. :D

.
 
Tires are required

Tires are required

$36 per tire OFF the bike at my local dealer.. I didn't even ask if I left them on because I really don't trust them to do it right ...I had to tell them the rotation of each wheel to be sure they mounted them correctly....

Looking for a good place to buy tires online..?

Try www.jakewilson.com ...Nice selection, decent prices, and Free Shipping if over a certain $$ amount ..
 
Steve said:
Actually I would have one now, but don't have any room to store it, so I just just a towel on top of my trash barrel and use my irons. :D

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Click to expand...

A sturdy 5 gallon pail, the type with a threaded on lid for example, works great. The brake rotor fits down inside and the working height is low enough to put a knee on one of the levers if you find yourself needing that third hand.:cool:
 
Im pretty sure i can get the tires off and on but how do you balance them. My wheels are not the spoke ones if that makes a difference .
 
Steve said:
Actually I would have one now, but don't have any room to store it, so I just just a towel on top of my trash barrel and use my irons. :D

.
Click to expand...
Another Steve quote that pretty much cover it:pray:
 
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