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Different hub sizes for 450L VS 450 T wheels?

  • Thread starter Thread starter barnabasantioch
  • Start date Start date
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barnabasantioch

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So, I'm working on Cafe-ing an 81 GS450L. I decided to throw on a set of 82 gs 450T spoked wheels. The front wheel fits fine, as the disc just bolts right on. Before I disassembled the rear wheel I decided to check the measurements and... Houston, we have a problem. I assumed the brake hub and sprocket hub would just swap right out, but I think I'm incorrect. Has anyone had experience with this. I'm swapping a 16" for a 17", so maybe Suzuki enlarged the hub to offset the difference. The other problem is that, when searching for a hub, the seller always lists them as a T, but also says it will fit an L. Obviously, I will have to buy a new hub. And suddenly, my budget cafe is not so "budget".
 
Also just noticed that the T wheels changed between 81 and 82. the 81 450t had a 17" star shaped wheel like the 16" L model, but in 82, they went back to a spoked wheel. I wonder if that's the difference.
 
I went the other way around on my 78 400 - spokes to cast and found the opposite issue. The spoked drum was larger than the cast drum. All 77-78 400's had spoked wheels, so perhaps a drum and sprocket hub from one would fit your spokes. Check ebay, last time I looked a few were available I can measure mine up over the weekend if will help.

Mark
 
What measurements are different though?

If it's width, then perhaps some spacer changes might be enough?

Does it put the chain out of alignment?

I would think as long as the axle diameter is the same then there shouldn't be that much of a difference that you couldn't work around it, but I haven't tried it myself of course...
 
The diameter of each of the hubs is about 1/2" larger than my former hubs. I certainly wish there were a way around it, but it seems my only option is to buy new (used) hubs that fit.
 
Hmmmm... still confused... you bought whole 450T wheels right? So I'm not sure why the hub diameter is an issue?

Are you trying to use the sprocket carrier and drum brake mechanism from the L? That's the only way I can think it would be an issue, and in that case just get them from a T model and you should be sweet... maybe the drum brake torsion arm as well if they're not the same.
 
I only purchased the wheels, no brake or sprocket drum. I assumed my drums would work. Interesting to note... If I were swapping an 81-L wheel with an 81-T wheel, the hubs would have been the same. However, the hub size changed in 82 when the T model went to the spoked wheel. You live and you learn:rolleyes: Anyway... now I'm on the hunt for hubs to fit this wheel. Not as easy to find as you'd think. I've found a few sets for an 81 model, but not an 82. And good call on the torsion arm. I'll try to find a hub with one included.
 
barnabasantioch said:
I only purchased the wheels, no brake or sprocket drum. I assumed my drums would work. Interesting to note... If I were swapping an 81-L wheel with an 81-T wheel, the hubs would have been the same. However, the hub size changed in 82 when the T model went to the spoked wheel. You live and you learn:rolleyes: Anyway... now I'm on the hunt for hubs to fit this wheel. Not as easy to find as you'd think. I've found a few sets for an 81 model, but not an 82. And good call on the torsion arm. I'll try to find a hub with one included.
Click to expand...

Gotcha... re-read your first post and yeah I completely missed what you meant when I read it the first time, I just figured it'd all come together.

Hopefully you can score the bits economically enough so you can keep going... maybe someone's selling a parts bike on Craigslist or something?
 
The "economical" aspect will just be an afterthought. I'm now in "I've-got-too-much-into-this-thing-to-turn-back-now" mode :lol: What's another $60 anyway in the grand scheme of things.
 
barnabasantioch said:
The "economical" aspect will just be an afterthought. I'm now in "I've-got-too-much-into-this-thing-to-turn-back-now" mode :lol: What's another $60 anyway in the grand scheme of things.
Click to expand...

Hahahaha I know what you mean!

I often refuse to think what I ended up spending on mine... and it's still not over yet... I really want an Acewell so I can ditch the flaky stock gauges that just keep bouncing no matter what...
 
Now my concern is with the swingarm. I wonder if the swingarm was changed from the 81 to the 82, or the L to the T. I'm running a 130-90-16 right now, and barely clearing the swingarm. The tires that I planned to get are 130-90-17s. I've seen these exact tires on a T model, so I know they fit the T swingarm, but I'm unsure about mine. The next size down is a 110, and I'm not sure I want to go that small. Oh the joys.
 
And I hear you on that gaudy gauge cluster. I removed mine and mocked up a couple of mini's that I got from dime city cycles. Cleans up the front end tremendously.
 
If the 130's too tight, hopefully there'll be a 120 you can get as a compromise.

Just did some part number searching and the swingarm is different between the '81 L and '82 T, however the '82 L is the same as the '82 T and '82 TXZ. Hopefully that means the same width tyre will be fine.

The main reason I want the Acewell is to get the speedo accurate and not rely on the stock gearing from the speedo drive on the front axle.

Because I wanted dual sport tyres on mine, I ended up with a 100/90-18 tyre on the front which means my speedo will read a slightly slower speed than it should... don't wanna start getting speeding fines so an Acewell will let me set it accurately based on the actual tyre circumference.
 
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