Change 17" rim with L model 16 " rim

[joe penoso]

Can I.....
Change 17" rim with L model 16 " rim? Any gotchas to watch out for??
This is contemplated for a 1979 GS 850 GN
Joepenoso

 

[1948man]

I did it with a 1983 1100GL and had no problem. I used a 1983 1100G wheel. I tried it with a 1979 850 G 17" wheel and it didn't match up right. The 17" G wheel you use will probably need to be from 1979, I think.

 

[1948man]

https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...quot-G-wheel-on-1100GL&highlight=wheel+offset.

So, looking back, I guess it was a 1980 wheel I was trying to substitute. At any rate, you should be able to swap wheels if you get a 17" wheel from '79 and maybe even from some other years but there are probably some 17" shaft wheels that won't fit. As I reread your original post, maybe your are wanting to put a 16" GL wheel on your G whereas I was wanting to put a 17" G wheel on my GL.

 

[1948man]

I'm changing my answer to "I have no idea." I see there was no 850GL in 1979 and the 750L of that year was chain-driven. The part number for the G wheel of '79 is different from the part number for the '80G wheel so maybe there is some significant difference between those 2 yrs.

 

[Steve]

Yes, it's possible, but why are you wanting to do this? :-k

I changed the 17" wheels on my '80 850G and my son's 80 1000G to 16" wheels from a couple of GL bikes.

The only "gotcha" is the spacer for the caliper. The stock spacer is too thick, I used a couple of washers that fit over the axle instead of a single-piece spacer. I don't remember the size, but you can take the axle to a hardware store to find what fits over it. I used two washers, but you might get a third one, just in case your washers are a bit thinner. You are looking to line up the caliper to get it centered over the disk.

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[sam000lee]

I did it on my GS450L with the 18" wheel from a GS450S. They both have drum brakes and it dropped right in

 

[Guest]

You are comparing apples and oranges, sam000lee.

The shafties are a 'whole 'nother breed than the chain-driven stuff.

 

[joe penoso]

That's why I'm asking.
16" tires have more variety.
Rear 16" wheel is from 1981 850 L
My bike is 1979 GS850 GN

 

[Steve]

If you are simply looking for more "variety", go for it, even though there is PLENTY of "variety" in 17" tires.

Of course, it depends on what you are looking for. :-k

My reason for the 16" wheels on our bikes was to get some LONG-distance tires so we would not have to change the tires on the trip we had planned for a couple of years ago. We got started on the trip, but did not make it very far before we had other problems.

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