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1986 GS550es wheels and suspension

  • Thread starter Thread starter zig06
  • Start date Start date
Z

zig06

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Does anyone know how wide I can go with the rear tire on my '86 550es? Buying newer tech tires this size is getting impossible. Now, i'm only wanting to go wide enough to get into a radial tire, if that's possible. And if I have to change the wheels then I will.

Also, is there a bolt on front end that would eliminate the anti-dive forks? I would consider a totally different front end, but I do want the wheels to match.

I'm partly thinking that something off of a late '80's 600 may do the trick, but the sprocket alignment is a concern.

Thanks.
 
The stock inside swingarm width is 8 3/8" (I just measured it). Also, I've heard about offset countershaft sprockets, what are those?

Again, my cycle experience is mostly off road. So getting my hands dirty isn't a problem. But knowing how to do what I'd like to do, is.
 
zig06 said:
The stock inside swingarm width is 8 3/8" (I just measured it). Also, I've heard about offset countershaft sprockets, what are those?

Again, my cycle experience is mostly off road. So getting my hands dirty isn't a problem. But knowing how to do what I'd like to do, is.
Click to expand...

Is that at where the rear axle is, or at the pivot point? (front of swingarm)
 
the 600 katana wheel will fit the swingarm, ask LeeGS550E, he has them along with Katana front end on his 550 frame....hope that helps..
 
distraction628 said:
the 600 katana wheel will fit the swingarm, ask LeeGS550E, he has them along with Katana front end on his 550 frame....hope that helps..
Click to expand...

Yes it will. The more information the better!

And I think that kingofvenus' wheels might be turning on something too, so he's got my attention as well.
 
I was thinking along the same path. I figured the 600 kat parts would fit a 550 too, I have 600 parts (rear wheel and entire frontend assy.) on my 750. Was trying to see if the swingarm width was the same as my bike, I looked up bearing sizes and saw that they match up. The 600 kat wheel fit my stock arm like it was made for it. Parts are easy to find and cheap on ebay.
 
kingofvenus said:
I was thinking along the same path. I figured the 600 kat parts would fit a 550 too, I have 600 parts (rear wheel and entire frontend assy.) on my 750. Was trying to see if the swingarm width was the same as my bike, I looked up bearing sizes and saw that they match up. The 600 kat wheel fit my stock arm like it was made for it. Parts are easy to find and cheap on ebay.
Click to expand...

Any particular year?, or all the 600 Kats about the same? And did you have to use an offset countershaft sprocket?

And if I haven't said it yet ~ THANKS FOR THE HELP!
 
'89 to '97 and no, the stock front sprocket. Mine has Dunlop Sportmax radials, 140/70/17 rear and 110/70/17 front, (can go as big as 150 and 120) and a Hagon shock on the rear. Handles better now than it ever did before the swap. The 600 kat brakes work great too, for the rear you need the kat caliper and mount with the axle spacers from one too. You'll need to make (or modify your stock) a stay arm for the caliper. You might want to get info from LeeGS550e on what else you would need for this swap. I'm glad to be of help.
 
kingofvenus said:
'89 to '97 and no, the stock front sprocket. Mine has Dunlop Sportmax radials, 140/70/17 rear and 110/70/17 front, (can go as big as 150 and 120) and a Hagon shock on the rear. Handles better now than it ever did before the swap. The 600 kat brakes work great too, for the rear you need the kat caliper and mount with the axle spacers from one too. You'll need to make (or modify your stock) a stay arm for the caliper. You might want to get info from LeeGS550e on what else you would need for this swap. I'm glad to be of help.
Click to expand...

Excellent, this is what I'm looking for! And in your case, did you use a complete front end off of a 600 Kat?

I did PM Lee550e just to see if he has anything to add.
 
The 86 GS550ES doesn't have an antidive fork. It has an adjustable damping fork.

you can directly fit the wheels from a GS500 on the bike. They're more importantly 17" diameter, which means you can fit modern rubber.
 
Just to follow up on this post, zig and I have been talking over PM, and yeah, I'm running kat parts on my 550 frame. Kat rear wheel, front end, and front wheel. Brake torque arm is the only thing that needs to be modified (read: big hammer and a vice :-D), and you have to add your own bump stops to the forks. I added some ride height to mine by welding in a section of steel on one of the rear shock linkages, but that's up to the modifier's taste as far as that goes. I wanted to speed up my steering and get back an inch or so.

PS. I've also got a 700 aluminum swingarm that looks to be a direct bolt-on, and will give me about 3/4" more length on the rear end. I'll post it up when the time comes.
 
Thanks guys, you've given me enough insight to forge ahead on my project. I'll keep my eyes pealed in the parts section, you never know what might pop up. Plus there's a big cycle swap meet coming up in Feburary in Novi Michigan. It'll most likely be 50% Harley, but there could be a Kat wheel or two laying about...

Lee, if you get a chance to snap a picture of that 700's swingarm feel free to send me a copy (zig06@altelco.net). It sounds like that could be a worthy upgrade.
 
zig,
Just want to make sure you don't think you need the 700 swingarm. You can still fit the kat rims just fine without it. Its just a nicer looking piece than the 550's steel unit. I don't expect to see much in the way of a performance return, but its a better looking part for sure.

Anyway, good luck scouring for the kat parts. I got my deal on craigslist. Some dude had a gs500 frame with the kat front end and rims, along with some other parts that he didn't know about, and I got the whole setup for $200. You'll find it eventually, even if you have to go to fleabay. Let us know when you start bolting it on. As you can see, many people here have done it.
 
Lee,
Sorry for the miss understanding, but yes, I am interested in the 700 swingarm. Check your mail for a PM.
 
Quick progress update:

Found a '85 GS-700 aluminum swingarm in California, hopefully it'll be here in a few days. I think I may have paid a bit more than what I should have. But for $90 I got the arm, all the front spacers and the pivot bolt. I also got the rear bolt and all the wheel spacers.

I also found a '94 Katana 750 for $200. It's a bare frame with all the suspension, wheels and brakes. The only thing that's really missing is the front fender and the rear brake disk.

Is there anything that I need to do to verify that the sprockets are lined up??

Also, one thing that I'm not liking is the blue/purple color of the wheels, any suggestions on painting? Or would it be better to just strip them and clear coat?
 
UPDATE!

Here's what I've done so far.

1. Installed the '84 GS700 swingarm. The suspension link off of the swingarm and connects to the rocker, isn't quite a match. My 550 link is too narrow to bolt on to the 700 arm. And the 700 link is too wide for my 550 rocker. So I'll have to cut the 700 link. But this is also an opportunity to raise the rear of the bike by making it longer than stock. So all is not lost. I did have to spread the frame a touch to get the swingarm in the frame. This was done with a 2 ton bottle jack. I only needed about 1.5mm, so no biggy.

2. Installed the '94 750 Kat rear wheel into the 700 swingarm. It pretty much bolted in, but I did need to slightly bend the brake torque arm.

3. Bolted up the '94 Kat 750 triple clamps and forks (plus the Kat front wheel). The steer tube is a direct bolt in item, even though it's off of a bike that 9 years newer.

Now for the "problems".

1. The 550 ignition key switch will not bolt up to the 750 triple clamps. With enough cutting and welding it would, but it just wouldn't look right in the end. So I've elected to purchase a new '94 Kat ignition switch and modify it's harness to clip into mine. In the end, this is the only decent solution that I could find.

2. The 550 mount for the instrument gauge cluster has to be modified to fit the 750 triple clamps. Not a big deal, but again, it has to be done.

3. So far, this is the biggest pain. With the 700 swingarm and the 750 rear wheel, I need a 10mm offset sprocket. A few places offer them, but no one stocks them... So far I've waited about 3 weeks on an order from Drive Systems. I don't blame them ~ AFAM just needs to make one and ship it.... And even then I had to order a 16 tooth instead of a stock 14. Which also means that I need to get a new rear sprocket, and not that many people make 54 tooth Katana sprockets.

After that it's shake down time and then paint!

Does anyone know if I can powder coat these wheels ('94 Katana's) with out worring about them warping in the oven? [-o<
 
Do a little part number research, and I think you'll find that the bolt pattern on the Katana sprockets matches early SV wheels - that might get you closer to your 54 tooth. I had to go through this when I put a 520 chain on my setup. Can't recall the numbers, but I think the year range was around an '01 SV.

And nice job!
 
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