Honda XR650L Thumpster
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Cuba Libre
Been Around the Block
I'll second the suggestion to play around with offseting either or both sprockets before you do anything drastic with the wheel itself.
Having said that, I'm still somewhat shocked by the situation. I mean, there must be, what, a few million XRs out there with your wheel setup and no issues...
How much is the extra space you need to gain?
M.
Having said that, I'm still somewhat shocked by the situation. I mean, there must be, what, a few million XRs out there with your wheel setup and no issues...
How much is the extra space you need to gain?
M.
compoundcycles
Been Around the Block
From what I can measure i need about 7mm.
Cuba Libre
Been Around the Block
And is the distance/clearance between the outer edge of the tyre and the inner faces of the swingarm (on both sides) the same?
M.
M.
offsetting the rim with spokes is common on supermoto wheels on dirtbikes. i had to offset my 17" wheel set with rad hubs for my crf450 and it was easier than i thought it would be. just pay attention to where you start and dont over tighten any. My method was done on the bike while it was on a center stand.
loosen each nipple on the chain side 1 flat or 90* then tighten all the spokes on the other side 90* three or four times around the wheel and you should get the clearance you need. after a few rides recheck them all for loosening and your golden.
dual pipes look killer by the way!
loosen each nipple on the chain side 1 flat or 90* then tighten all the spokes on the other side 90* three or four times around the wheel and you should get the clearance you need. after a few rides recheck them all for loosening and your golden.
dual pipes look killer by the way!
crackerman
Been Around the Block
moshpete said:
How do you know how much you should offset? As long as the wheel is true it doesn't matter?
i just kept doing it until my chain stopped rubbing ended with maybe a total of 10mm offset to the right.
it shouldnt really affect anything if you are careful about how much you are tightening or loosening spokes. with it on the bike i was able to spin it and recheck for true as i went. i taped two spokes as a marker for my start and stop position.
it may in theory cause some changes to turn initiation from one side to the other. but when you consider the changes in pavement, tire deflection, fork deflection, frame and swingarm twist while leaned over i cant imagine it would cause anything you could feel.
it shouldnt really affect anything if you are careful about how much you are tightening or loosening spokes. with it on the bike i was able to spin it and recheck for true as i went. i taped two spokes as a marker for my start and stop position.
it may in theory cause some changes to turn initiation from one side to the other. but when you consider the changes in pavement, tire deflection, fork deflection, frame and swingarm twist while leaned over i cant imagine it would cause anything you could feel.
compoundcycles
Been Around the Block
After a long ordeal with the local sportbike shop over my wheels rubbing the chain too hard I decided to take matters into my own hands, buy a spoke wrench, and dish the rear tire myself.
By loosening the sprocket side spokes and tightening the rotor side spokes...round and round... I managed to pull the tire almost completely away from the chain with just a little pressure against it. There was just enough clearance between the sprocket and the swingarm for me to space the rear sprocket out about 2.5mm off the hub with washers.
The chain still rubs...but it rubs about as light as a feather. Took her for a ride and came back with no chunks of tire missing! The wheels feel great! So smooth, and they lower the bike a bit so it's not so awkwardly tall for street riding.
When I brake hard in the front I think I can feel the forks twist a bit. Can this be fixed by installing a fork brace?
By loosening the sprocket side spokes and tightening the rotor side spokes...round and round... I managed to pull the tire almost completely away from the chain with just a little pressure against it. There was just enough clearance between the sprocket and the swingarm for me to space the rear sprocket out about 2.5mm off the hub with washers.
The chain still rubs...but it rubs about as light as a feather. Took her for a ride and came back with no chunks of tire missing! The wheels feel great! So smooth, and they lower the bike a bit so it's not so awkwardly tall for street riding.
When I brake hard in the front I think I can feel the forks twist a bit. Can this be fixed by installing a fork brace?
Attachments
compoundcycles
Been Around the Block
compoundcycles
Been Around the Block
The chain does not run through the swing arm. I'm limited to how far out I can space out the rear sprocket before it hits the swing arm. And, I'm pretty skeptical about spacing out the front sprocket. I'm really no longer concerned about the chain rub. All of the super moto guys I've contacted for advice about the issue have all said "dish it to the right" and "a little chain rub is fine". I almost have no chain rub and I'm stoked about that.
If I do need more distance there is probably another 2-3mm I could shave off the inside of the swing arm where there is a small lip before the boxed part, and space out the sprocket the same amount. I think after riding anther dozen miles the tire will wear down the 0.25-0.5mm it's rubbing and be a non-issue. I hope.
I have to take 1-2mm off the front tire spacer so the wheel sits even between the forks, then I should be set for some real testing.
Aside from the functional aspects of the bike I feel like I'm struggling with how to bridge the gap between the neon road looks to the vintage aesthetic that's so pleasing. I'm going to post some 70's F-1 photos as inspiration soon.
If I do need more distance there is probably another 2-3mm I could shave off the inside of the swing arm where there is a small lip before the boxed part, and space out the sprocket the same amount. I think after riding anther dozen miles the tire will wear down the 0.25-0.5mm it's rubbing and be a non-issue. I hope.
I have to take 1-2mm off the front tire spacer so the wheel sits even between the forks, then I should be set for some real testing.
Aside from the functional aspects of the bike I feel like I'm struggling with how to bridge the gap between the neon road looks to the vintage aesthetic that's so pleasing. I'm going to post some 70's F-1 photos as inspiration soon.
HollywoodMX
Coast to Coast
Re: Re: Honda XR650L Thumpster
I might be able to help you with this. Can you take a pic of the rear sprocket for me? I'm particularly interested in a good shot of the area where the chain isn't on the sprocket.
compoundcycles said:
I might be able to help you with this. Can you take a pic of the rear sprocket for me? I'm particularly interested in a good shot of the area where the chain isn't on the sprocket.
compoundcycles
Been Around the Block
Sure Hollywood, I can post a picture of that. But I was referring to now that I know how the bike is going to sit on the tires I can start thinking about how to better modify the seat and downtube part of the frame...to clean things up a bit. Were you thinking of modifying the swingarm? I don't think that's necessary for my current setup.
coyote13
Over 1,000 Posts
Nice, well I'm glad that's all sorted! I was going to recommend if you hadn't already to check out Supermotojunkie.com for a good resource. I think the easiest way to give that bike a different look is gonna be to change out the seat. Something a little leaner, with a clean line. Check out (again, if you haven't already) Ocaspersen's build on here. Coming along nicely.
HollywoodMX
Coast to Coast
Re: Re: Honda XR650L Thumpster
I might have an easy solution for the chain rubbing the tire.
compoundcycles said:
I might have an easy solution for the chain rubbing the tire.
7aliveatlast7
the bearded hessian
those wheels are killer! what kind of tank is that that you posted a pic of a few pages back, and when will it be going on??
compoundcycles
Been Around the Block
7aliveatlast7 said:
Thanks 7alive, the tank is off a Hodaka Ace. It might not be going on this bike, it's too narrow and long. I'm going to try a cb360 tank on there and see how it looks. The Hodaka tank, as cool as it is, will have to wait for another project.
7aliveatlast7
the bearded hessian
Ah I gotcha. Nothing wrong with storing up cool tanks on the back burner for later builds though! I've got quite a few laying around for just the right bike haha.
