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850 owners, does this look "normal" ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BADJACKSON
  • Start date Start date
B

BADJACKSON

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So, I just got a "New To Me" (obviously) 1979 GS850. And after I got it home & in the garage, I was looking it over & I noticed how close this tire is to the shaft. What should that spacing be, about... Mine looks to be only about 2-4 mm. That seems a bit tight.

IMG_3102.jpg

Thanks
 
I guess I didn't think to check to see if the axle was square in the frame... should have been my 1st move. But the question still remains, what should the spacing be? And if it's off, can I shim it? How would I go about correcting it?

This build is in its infancy (not really even started yet), but this is on my mind now.
Thanks
 
It's an old tire, I think it was 90-17, which is more narrow than my 1000 rear.
 
90-17 isn't the entire tire size. 90 is just the aspect ratio. There is another number missing. Yours should be 120/90-17. 120 is the width.
 
Brendan W said:
It's about 9mm on mine, fitted with a Continental 130/90 TKV12
Click to expand...

With a 130, mine has about the same gap. Jackson, this is a fixed axle, so unless your frame is bent it's not that. The spacers could be incorrect (check the service manual or parts fiche for assembly.
It's that or you have a 140 or greater tire.
 
8ball said:
90-17 isn't the entire tire size. 90 is just the aspect ratio. There is another number missing. Yours should be 120/90-17. 120 is the width.
Click to expand...

I am fully aware of how tire sizing works these days. What is unclear to me is how it worked in the '70s & '80s.
If 90 is the aspect ratio, then MT is the size. My tire reads... MT90-17

IMG_3106.jpg

Thanks
 
Last edited:
loud et said:
With a 130, mine has about the same gap. Jackson, this is a fixed axle, so unless your frame is bent it's not that. The spacers could be incorrect (check the service manual or parts fiche for assembly.
It's that or you have a 140 or greater tire.
Click to expand...

So, I guess when I buy tires, I'll buy a 130 & if I don't like the spacing at that time, I'll look into spacers. I doubt that the frame is bent, I don't see any other signs of an accident. It would have to be warped.
I think that tire is original. Or at least replaced early in the life of the bike.

Thanks for everyone's input so far.
 
BADJACKSON said:
I am fully aware of how tire sizing works these days. What is unclear to me is how it worked in the '70s & '80s.
If 90 is the aspect ratio, then MT is the size. My tire reads... MT90-17

View attachment 42625

Thanks
Click to expand...

That is an Alpha code designation....not used much. "M" is the motorcycle code desig, T is the width "T"=130 (Yours stock was 120 "R"=120),

as I said, we were missing some information.
 
Ok, thanks guys! I guess when I am going back together, if it isn't right, I'll fix it then. I'll have to keep it in mind though

Thanks!
 
Jackson, I am reassembling my 850 brat project. The first piece I put on is the swing arm just now. In the manual it says adjust the swingarm left to right with the two pivot bolts to have an even gap between the swingarm and frame on both sides.
The big nut and the Allen head pivot bolt may be slightly adjustable from left to right.
Maybe the po had the L side cranked in all the way before he put the R one in snug and he therefore pushed the swingarm to the extreme right of the gap.
Check it out.
Adam
 
Looks like the PO got a fat 130 - maker variations on a 'standard'. I've had 130s that were nearly as skinny as a 120 and some were as fat as a 140. Otoh, I was lucky enough to find a 140 that was skinny enough to go on/in, but it's not a thing you can rely on.
 
loud et said:
Jackson, I am reassembling my 850 brat project. The first piece I put on is the swing arm just now. In the manual it says adjust the swingarm left to right with the two pivot bolts to have an even gap between the swingarm and frame on both sides.
Click to expand...
Yes, that works to center the swingarm in the frame, but it does nothing for tire-to-swingarm clearance.

.
 
MY problem looks to be the spacing between my tire & my shaft housing. It's less than a cm. But I suppose I can put spacers in the third member when I am going back together. I think I'll strip this bike down to the frame and shave any unnecessary tabs. So, it's nothing pressing, but I just wanted to know so I can start formulating a plan of action in my head.

Loud et don't forget to post some pics in the Brat thread.

Thanks
 
Steve said:
Yes, that works to center the swingarm in the frame, but it does nothing for tire-to-swingarm clearance.

.
Click to expand...

Haha oh yeah. I thought I saw the light, but I didnt...... it's an axle spacer or tire width issue I guess. Lol
 
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