Onion Man
New Member
WIthout getting into a huge debate over fashion vs function I would like to get some opinions on running a balloon tire setup with a 16" rim on the front. I have heard arguments for both sides and I am looking for more insight before i take the step of purchasing a new front end
I am building a 1984 GR650 brat/cafe/bobber/blah blah blah and I want to have the balloon tire effect.. here is a pic of my bike as of last season ( im doing a full ground up rebuild this winter) and the pic that has inspired me to run the small front rim. Basically my concern is safety.. I understand that its not gonna handle like im running performance tires but i also dont want to be tossed into the ditch the first time i try to bite into a corner.. In the pic it looks like they are running a 16" Avon Speedmaster rear tire up front on a small rim, is it dangerous to run a rear tire up front or are modern tires pretty universal??.. and since i already have a 16" speedmaster on the rear if it is possible to run one up front that would be the most economic rout to take.. also the front end is shot on my bike so replacing the whole front end to accommodate a smaller hoop is totally an option.. which brings me to my next question, for those who think its not a bad idea to run the 16 up front is there a fork/ rim setup which would fit on the gr that you might recomend??
thanks for the opinions whatever they may be
I am building a 1984 GR650 brat/cafe/bobber/blah blah blah and I want to have the balloon tire effect.. here is a pic of my bike as of last season ( im doing a full ground up rebuild this winter) and the pic that has inspired me to run the small front rim. Basically my concern is safety.. I understand that its not gonna handle like im running performance tires but i also dont want to be tossed into the ditch the first time i try to bite into a corner.. In the pic it looks like they are running a 16" Avon Speedmaster rear tire up front on a small rim, is it dangerous to run a rear tire up front or are modern tires pretty universal??.. and since i already have a 16" speedmaster on the rear if it is possible to run one up front that would be the most economic rout to take.. also the front end is shot on my bike so replacing the whole front end to accommodate a smaller hoop is totally an option.. which brings me to my next question, for those who think its not a bad idea to run the 16 up front is there a fork/ rim setup which would fit on the gr that you might recomend??
thanks for the opinions whatever they may be