Okay guys < Decided to go a different route!

CupidsDeathDay

CupidsDeathDay

Been Around the Block
Hi guys!

So i have been working on this 1982 GS450L and since I'm getting a new project next spring for an XS650 bobber project, i have decided to go a different route on this GS project and have decided to go the Cafe-way! I have most everything i need to do so EXCEPT i need some Wheels!

I have my original 16" Rear and 19" Front Comstar's and am looking for a new set of wheels.

My question is: Does anyone know if there is a direct swap for the wheels on my bike?

Im wanting to get a pair of 17"-18" sets. Something that would be a direct swap or that would maybe be an easily done swap. I have never done a Rim swap before but i heard most are as easy as getting the right sized bearings for the rim to fit the axle size and making the spacers needed to align the wheels. Is that right? Or just a fantasy that i wish was real?

Thanks.

Any info would be awesome!

P.S. I would prefer to have 2 drum wheels but i am willing to modify the rear end to get a disk on it if there is a decent enough swap for it. Thanks.
 
The easiest would be to get wheels from a GS450 E or S. They have an 18" single disc brake up front and an 18" rear drum. The GS front mag is skinny though at 1.6" wide, but the front wheel from a GN400 is also a single caliper front and is 1.85" wide. Want Suzuki mags front and rear but dual caliper up front? Then you'll have to go with a 19" mag since they are drilled and tapped for it.

Basically, what size tires do you want to run, and what kind of brakes do you want? I can help narrow down your choices......
 
I am wanting to do both wheels as drums. But I'm not sure how well it will work and that's another thing I wondered about. I have been told the the GS450 S-model has a direct swap for the rear but would it fit the stock front forks? I checked the width on my drum and it seems like it would but then I can't get my speedo in there.. So where would I go from there?

Also., I'm wanting a 120/90 on front and back. So not super wide but not narrow. A good, "in between" feel.


Friends.. Applaud!.. The comedy is over.
 
The rear wheel from the S / E model should be a direct swap with no issues, and the front wheel would be the same. Of course you would need the speedo drive for the 18" wheel, and your fender would have a pretty big gap above the tire.

But if you're looking for a 120/90 tire, forget about the GS450 S/E and GN400 wheels. With a GN400 front wheel and GS450Srear wheel, the max size tire is 100/90-18".

If you want drum wheels front and rear, the GS300 used a front drum brake and a mag wheel. If you decide to go with spoke wheels though, the GS400 wheel will work in the rear and a T500 hub will work up front (with proper forks for the brake stay). With spoke wheels you could lace up the proper size wheel to fit whatever tires you want, but I'm not sure a 120/90 would fit between the forks.

Edit: I would like to add - whatever wheels you go with, try to get the most complete examples you can find. Sprocket carriers, brake plates, spacers, etc don't always swap between wheels. For example, I put a GS400 rear wheel on my GS450S, but needed the sprocket carrier and brake plate since they are different diameters.
 
So if I did the GS450 S-model 18"s then it should fit but I should get a drum speedo for the front. Sound about right?

If its easy enough, I might just stick with the double mag drum brake tires and go from there. 100/90's just seem a little narrow to me. But I guess it wouldn't be too bad, as my front currently has a 90/90 and its not horribly thin.

I'll have to see.


Friends.. Applaud!.. The comedy is over.
 
Drum speedo drive? I've never seen one for a GS. But the GS450L speedo drive won't work with the GS450S front wheel. Actually, it would work, but not accurate at all.

And what do you mean by "double mag drum brake wheels"? You mean a GS300 front wheel with whatever rear? If so, I have no experience with a GS300 front wheel - I just know it has a drum brake.
 
I meant, 2 drums. I want a drum on front and back. Sorry. I should have worded that better.. >.>

But if I can't get it to work then I will probably just go with the s-model rear drum and front disk set up. I just know that I want the 18's.


Friends.. Applaud!.. The comedy is over.
 
Ah, ok. Be sure to research the GS300 front wheel if you decide to use it. I don't know how wide it is, or if it somehow uses the same forks as your current GS450 setup. Here is just my opinion in the matter, so take it for what it's worth:

For a single caliper front / rear drum: GN400 front wheel and speedo drive, GS450S rear mag

Drum brakes front and rear: T500 hub relaced to a wider wheel, GS400 rear hub laced to a wider wheel

Good luck man!
 
So I'm looking around and seem to be having troubles finding the 450S rear 18" mag... I haven't checked with the guys at GSR yet but I just want to know. Are these difficult to get a hold of?...

Still researching, just not finding much.


Friends.. Applaud!.. The comedy is over.
 
The 16" wheel is much easier to find, and the 18" wheels show up from time to time. Heck, I think I have a spare rear wheel unless I trashed it......I can look for it this weekend.
 
That would be awesome if you could find it!

I'm still looking for the 18" front right now. Finding a couple of decent prospects.


Friends.. Applaud!.. The comedy is over.
 
Just ran out and checked. I have the following:

GS450S rear wheel, needs a lot of cleaning up
GS450S front wheel (remember: 1.6" wide), just needs a good cleaning
Generic GS front snowflake wheel, 1.85" by 19", needs bearings and spacers, but can handle dual disc brakes
 
It is in pretty bad shape man. Keep an eye out for a good one on eBay or elsewhere, but I'd sell the one I have for $5 plus shipping or so. The cost of shipping would be pretty high though.....
 
How much for shipping?... If its more than like $35 then ill just look for another one!


Friends.. Applaud!.. The comedy is over.
 
Honestly, I have no idea. It would be a fairly large / heavy box, that's why I said to keep an eye out for another one.

I just checked, there are a couple on eBay.
 
Can you get a link for me? All I'm finding are the 16" and a couple of 19" but none of the 450-S 18"...


Friends.. Applaud!.. The comedy is over.
 
My phone isn't agreeing with me.......

Just search eBay for "GS450 rear wheel", and on the first page you'll see a gold / aluminum wheel. That's a GS450S wheel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light
    • www.jadusmotorcycleparts.com
    www.lostapostle.ca/
    www.sparckmoto.com

    Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom