Dropping Bias tread from a GS650L, shafty

[Guest]

The OP mentioned that his rims are marked "tubeless applicable" but someone installed tubes.

You need metal motorcycle valve stems -- the ones made for cars are too fat, and you can't use rubber snap-in stems either.

Here's an example of what you're looking for -- not sure where you'd get them in Canoodia:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/44692/i/bikemaster-chrome-tubeless-valve-stem

Note that these are the same diameter all the way down (about 8mm or 5/16") -- valve stems made for cars have bigger threads near the base.

Excellent, thanks. Canada's Motorcycle has the exact same item: https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/bikemaster-chrome-tubeless-valve-stem-151402.html


Mark

 

[Cipher]

Will it take Madura 1200 wheels? I know they fit on other shafties without too much trouble. No idea of the dimensions but cant imagine they put skinny ineffective tires on a bike that heavy and powerful.

 

[Steve]

Will it take Madura 1200 wheels? I know they fit on other shafties without too much trouble. No idea of the dimensions but cant imagine they put skinny ineffective tires on a bike that heavy and powerful.

Regardless of what WHEEL you put on there, the swingarm won't hold a tire that is much wider than 130. You might squeeze a 140 in there, but there is serious danger of rubbing the inside of the swingarm.

By the way, the Madura wheel is a 3.00 x 16. The stock 650L wheel is a 2.75 x 16.

.

 

[Cipher]

I had no idea. Are the swing arms swappable too?

What is this ironic unseemly plying of a biased bias against bias btw? I have driven bikes with both ( though no high performance bikes ) The difference in fel was not that dramatic. I am by by no means a racer or anything like that though.

 

[Jedz123]

I have a matching Dunlop American coming in for the front with angled steel Valve stems.

Progressive Front Springs, fork brace and steering stabilizer is also coming in to attempt to strengthen the front end some. This little 650 handles worlds better then my 750 ever did... Or maybe I have just come so far as rider since then.

I'm past looking for a wider tire, it's not necessary. Although I officially have NO chicken strips left on the back.

I get this front tire and front end sorted I'll be a happy camper.

There is a difference in Bias to Radial tread, I can feel it but I don't think most would. Most of my other bikes ran ZR tread and there is a difference, especially in speeds of excess of 100mph or multiple hard turns at speed. Which is very easy to do on a modern liter (or bigger) sport or sport based bike.

But there is some good bias style tires out there now. I like this Dunlop American on the rear, I'll see how this combo stacks up. Tread is setup very much like a Radial and rated to 130mph, more then adequate. It's a dual compound too softer on the sides hard in the middle. It's also made in the USA, which is an added perk.

 

[Steve]

Are the swing arms swappable too?

Evidently you have no experience with GS shafties. :-k

GS shafties, as well as virtually all other Japanese shafties, run the shaft through one side of the swingarm. The pivot area is different, too, as there is no long bolt on which the arm pivots. Since the shaft is going front-to-back through the pivot area, the long cross-bolt simply will not work. There are, instead, two threaded pivots with tapered roller bearings that hold the swingarm.

On a chain-drive bike, it is possible to use offset sprockets and/or a thinner chain to gain a bit of clearance, but the large tube that encloses the driveshaft is not nearly as flexible in its relocation.

.

 

[Jedz123]

The OP mentioned that his rims are marked "tubeless applicable" but someone installed tubes.

You need metal motorcycle valve stems -- the ones made for cars are too fat, and you can't use rubber snap-in stems either.

Here's an example of what you're looking for -- not sure where you'd get them in Canoodia:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/44692/i/bikemaster-chrome-tubeless-valve-stem

Note that these are the same diameter all the way down (about 8mm or 5/16") -- valve stems made for cars have bigger threads near the base.

I have run metal car stems on motorcycles... Actually quite a few times on different models and years in example: 01 FZ1, 98 Bandit 1200, 83 GR650, 79 XS750, 82 CB450, 81CX500. I got all the stems from the car auto parts store... Fit right in and never leaked... FYI

 

[bwringer]

I have run metal car stems on motorcycles... Actually quite a few times on different models and years in example: 01 FZ1, 98 Bandit 1200, 83 GR650, 79 XS750, 82 CB450, 81CX500. I got all the stems from the car auto parts store... Fit right in and never leaked... FYI

Many bikes have bigger valve stem holes and some use rubber valve stems, so these can use the same valve stems as cars. And some folks have drilled out the valve stem holes in their GS wheels in order to use more easily available valve stems, although that doesn't seem like the best idea to me. See what you have and buy the appropriate valve stems. All the GS wheels I have encountered use the smaller diameter valve stems unless they've been drilled out.

NAPA used to carry motorcycle valve stems -- part # 90-426 (or NTH 90426), "Motorcycle Tubeless Clamp-In Tire Valve - TR430, 1.19" length, fits .327 rim hole". I bought a batch last year, and they told me they were discontinuing them, so I bought all they had in stock.

NAPA's web site shows that they're still available for special order, so they must have just meant they weren't going to stock them in the stores any more:
https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/search/?text=90-426

 

[Guest]

NAPA's web site shows that they're still available for special order, so they must have just meant they weren't going to stock them in the stores any more:
https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/search/?text=90-426

Just for the interest of the Canucks watching, I called my local NAPA (Airdrie, Alberta) and they still stock this part # but the cost is $13/each up here so it is an expensive option.


Mark

 

[Guest]

Just for the interest of the Canucks watching, I called my local NAPA (Airdrie, Alberta) and they still stock this part # but the cost is $13/each up here so it is an expensive option.


Mark

But that's only $10 in real money?..or 9 gallons of crude oil. Besides, a tube costs that or more now, so you've broken even.

 

[Guest]

But that's only $10 in real money…..or 9 gallons of crude oil. Besides, a tube costs that or more now, so you've broken even.

True, but Canada's Motorcycle sells an equivalent for $7.29.

https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/bikemaster-chrome-tubeless-valve-stem-151402.html

Since I am buying a set of tires from them shortly I will add the valve stems in and get free shipping on it all.


Mark

 

[Jedz123]

Many bikes have bigger valve stem holes and some use rubber valve stems, so these can use the same valve stems as cars. And some folks have drilled out the valve stem holes in their GS wheels in order to use more easily available valve stems, although that doesn't seem like the best idea to me. See what you have and buy the appropriate valve stems. All the GS wheels I have encountered use the smaller diameter valve stems unless they've been drilled out.

NAPA used to carry motorcycle valve stems -- part # 90-426 (or NTH 90426), "Motorcycle Tubeless Clamp-In Tire Valve - TR430, 1.19" length, fits .327 rim hole". I bought a batch last year, and they told me they were discontinuing them, so I bought all they had in stock.

NAPA's web site shows that they're still available for special order, so they must have just meant they weren't going to stock them in the stores any more:
https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/search/?text=90-426

Very likely that a PO along the line had drilled out the holes on my GR... I'll look into those options per your recommendation! Especially since I'm the third owner and the second owner that actually rides it. I'm willing to bet if you say the holes are small from the factory that those holes will be too small.

Thanks so much!

 

[wymple]

You drill the holes to match the valve stems, easy enough. Make sure the valve stems you buy will be long enough, your rim is pretty thick. It is also popular on some rims to tap the hole 1/8 NPT and screw in a tank valve. About 5 bucks. Many rims have the correct size hole for tapping already. Use a Loc-Tite sealer on the threads.

 

[JJ]

...but the cost is $13/each up here so it is an expensive option.

Mark

A few dollars extra is nothing from a safety standpoint.

 

[Guest]

A few dollars extra is nothing from a safety standpoint.

While I agree, I can buy the same thing from a different supplier for $7 so there is no point in spending $13.


Mark

 

[JJ]

While I agree, I can buy the same thing from a different supplier for $7 so there is no point in spending $13.


Mark

True, that!