Wheels.

[Glyn.G]

Having restored one Gt380 I've decided to try a second one but this time in a café racer style. I already have the basics eg fully rebuilt engine with new crank, seals & bearings and powder coated frame. Thought this would be a good starting point. I'm trying to decide on which wheels to use. Does anyone know if a pair of GT250 X7 cast wheels will fit in the original swing arm and forks without any modifications, or any other cast wheels from any other models.

[Zunspec4]

Hi Glyn,

It would be very fortunate that a replacement set of wheels would fit straight in without the need for any modifications. Wiser GT380/X7 folk will need to comment. However it is not such a big deal to machine wheel spacers as needed to align the wheels to the forks & s/arm and get the chain run lined up etc. I have a friend who is into model engineering and he turns up spacers for me on his trusty Myford lathe.

Cheers Geoff

[Alan H]

I'm not certain exact sizes of the 380 wheels/tyres but I think your bike would be better with GS500 allys. I would think they are slightly bigger than what you have rather than slightly smaller/same. I fitted GS550 ally 'star' wheels to my GT550 and they are very slightly bigger than the original spoked wheels, but only metric rather than imperial width and the front fitted straight in with twin discs. The rear was fitted with the swing arm (goes straight in) so I could have a disc rear. Dunlop Streetsmarts look just right. Might be worth a thought.
If you search for 'earwig' there are a few threads with wheel info, and my build HERE (clicky linky) might give you some thoughts. You aren't a million miles away from Barnsley if you want to pop by for a cuppa and looksee.

[jabcb]

Getting wider rims is an easier update if you stick with spokes.
Your stocks rim are front 1.60 x 19, and rear 1.85 x 18.

The GT500, GT550 & GT750 front rim is 1.85 x 19, and the hubs are the same.
You can use the front wheel from any of these bikes.
Just need to bolt up your brake disk to the replacement wheel. (Those bikes use a larger OD disk.)

The T500 or GT500 rear rim is 2.15 x 18, and the brake is the same.
You can use either rear wheel (including that bike’s brake panel).

You should also be able to use a GT550 rear wheel. (Not 100% sure.)
Suzuki upgraded the GT550 rear brake at some point, so read the service bulletin about it before getting the wheel.


If you want it to look spiffy, then use new spokes & lace up rims for the above bikes.
(Just don’t use a T500 front rim because the spoke angles will be wrong.)

This last approach is what we did for our GT250 cafe racer project.
(But the front rim is 1.85 x 18, so we used a rim from a 4 stroke bike.)

[Glyn.G]

Thanks for all the info it gives me a good mix of options.
Regards,
Glyn.

[GTandcbr]

Gotta be a scammer!

[Glyn.G]

Gotta be a scammer!

Whats a scammer ?

[GTandcbr]

Glad to see that post has been removed. A scammer is someone joining the forum with ulterior motives. They are a big problem on forums like this!