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I need radials on my 1100

Jethro

Jethro

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I am trying to figure out the easiest and most stock looking way to get some radials on my 83 1100E. Robinjo has a set of 1150 wheels I am thinking of getting, but after 5 posts back and forth, I rememberd that the front is a 16". I did some searches, and a lot is covered here, but it's mostly people looking to get much wider tires. I don't really care for much more than a 140 rear, I just wanna run radials and I can't find any in a 130 width. And before people tell me I can put a 140 on my stock rim, I know it fits, but the 2.5" stock rear rim width makes for a poor tire profile and even worse wear. So I need new rims.

I thought the easiest way was to simply get 1150 wheels, but I can't go down to a 16" front rim. And I'd rather not change the front end. And I want the front and rear tires to match. Does anyone have the answer?:-D
 
First generation GSXR had an 18" wheel up front. You can probably still find raidals to fit them and had the same spoke pattern as the later GS models. Rotors and calipers may even fit.
 
Bridgestone still offers a radial to fit the early GSXR wheel. The BT020 comes in a 110 width radial. Dunlop offers the D205 in that size as well.
 
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The wheels Robinjo have are from an 84 GSX1150. Is the front an 18" then? If so, I'd be happy with that, as long as I can make it all work.
 
Jethro said:
The wheels Robinjo have are from an 84 GSX1150. Is the front an 18" then? If so, I'd be happy with that, as long as I can make it all work.
Click to expand...
The 1150 had a 16" wheel.
 
US version 1150's got the 16" front wheel. I am reasonably sure European and Australian versions came with an 18" front rim.

Earl

Billy Ricks said:
The 1150 had a 16" wheel.
Click to expand...
 
I was under the impression that wheels originally made for bias will not accept radials? Were these early wheels you speak of originally fitted that way to begin with, or does the type of rim really matter?
 
earlfor said:
US version 1150's got the 16" front wheel. I am reasonably sure European and Australian versions came with an 18" front rim.

Earl
Click to expand...

Nah we got 16" fronts too, I have read Dink telling about a different diameter rear rim for the Ozzies I think.

Earl do they still make a radial for the 1150 front wheel and if so what brand and model?
 
robinjo said:
Nah we got 16" fronts too, I have read Dink telling about a different diameter rear rim for the Ozzies I think.

Earl do they still make a radial for the 1150 front wheel and if so what brand and model?
Click to expand...
The narrowest 16" tire I've run across is a 120 from Avon, AV45. Probably still a bit too much tire for the stock 1150 wheel. The first generation GSXR had an 18" wheel that matches the later GS bikes. Michelin, Dunlop, and Bridgestone all have tires to fit those wheels.
 
Jethro,

You can run the rear 1150 three spoke, preferably a 3.5 and run Dunlop 205 140/80 17. I know there's all this talk about mixing radials and bias. I think its hogwash.

I'm ectremely impressed with the 205 rear, far better than the bias Pirelli Sport Demon. The Pirellis gripped well, but have harsh compliance compared to the 205

I run the Harley Dunlop 591 100/90/19 bias up front and prefer it to the 501 Arrowmax. Tubeless valves are installed.

I've done trackdays with the radial bias setup and it works fine.

The feedback and grip are suberb. If the front starts to push on a crowned corner it slides predictably, lets you know you're getting close.
 
Well, that's good information. But I'm really anal, and I want radial front and rear. Hopefully a matching set as well, Dunlops preferably.

So it looks like I am SOL unless I change the front end. Anyone else have any other options?
 
Carter Turk said:
Jethro,

You can run the rear 1150 three spoke, preferably a 3.5 and run Dunlop 205 140/80 17. I know there's all this talk about mixing radials and bias. I think its hogwash.

I'm ectremely impressed with the 205 rear, far better than the bias Pirelli Sport Demon. The Pirellis gripped well, but have harsh compliance compared to the 205

I run the Harley Dunlop 591 100/90/19 bias up front and prefer it to the 501 Arrowmax. Tubeless valves are installed.

I've done trackdays with the radial bias setup and it works fine.

The feedback and grip are suberb. If the front starts to push on a crowned corner it slides predictably, lets you know you're getting close.
Click to expand...
I believe the old rule was if you're going to mix run the radial on the rear.
 
Jethro said:
Well, that's good information. But I'm really anal, and I want radial front and rear. Hopefully a matching set as well, Dunlops preferably.

So it looks like I am SOL unless I change the front end. Anyone else have any other options?
Click to expand...
I think you can get away with the GSXR 18" wheel and still use your stock brake setup. The only thing I know you'll definitely have to deal with is bearing sizes. The GSXR used the hollow large diameter axles from the get go. If your front axle is the same as my stock unit it is small diameter and the stock wheel bearing has a smaller od than the GSXR likely will have. You could shim the stock bearings in the GSXR wheel or try to match a bearing to fit the wheel and have the smaller inner diameter of the GS axle.
 
Billy Ricks said:
I believe the old rule was if you're going to mix run the radial on the rear.
Click to expand...

This is the rule I was refering to. Some folks probably wouldn't even do that.
 
Stock front tire size on my 85 1150 is 120/80/16. I have not found a radial front tire in that size anywhere. I use a Metzeler 33 on the front and am on my 4th Dunlop D205 140/80/17 radial on the rear. Rain or shine, all conditions and speeds, I have had no problems at all with those two tires together. Handling is normal.

Earl


robinjo said:
Nah we got 16" fronts too, I have read Dink telling about a different diameter rear rim for the Ozzies I think.

Earl do they still make a radial for the 1150 front wheel and if so what brand and model?
Click to expand...
 
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Just for the record I think the 84 1150 has the same width REAR rim as your 83 1100e. In 85 the 1150 went to the 3.5 inch wide rear to fit the 140 tire.
 
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