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72 GT550 cafe project rim/tire suggestions

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 8:44 am
by jabcb
Am using the stock 4LS front & 1LS rear drums. Drums have been polished + clear coated, and now look spiffy.
Am planning on using Avon RoadRiders, and black anodized Sun rims + SS spokes from Buchanan. (Ouch!)

Stock rear is:
rim: WM3 / 2.15x18
tire: 4.00-18 which are 116mm wide + 671 mm OD

Sun rims aren’t available in WM4.

I’m considering for rear:
rim: WM4.5 / 2.75x18
tire: 120/90-18 which are 129mm wide + 675mm OD

Stock front is:
rim: WM2 / 1.85x19
tire: 3.25-19 which are 98mm wide + 664mm OD

I’m considering for front:
rim: WM3 / 2.15-18
tire: 110/90-18 which are 116mm wide + 663mm OD

This results in nearly the same ODs.
Stock width difference is: 116-98 = 18mm
New width difference is: 129-116 = 13mm

This is a “look-cool” setup but what is this going to do to handling?
Is there another combo that would work better?

Re: 72 GT550 cafe project rim/tire suggestions

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2017 6:54 pm
by jabcb
Bump. Any suggestions?

Two other Avon RoadRider front tire options:
Tire: 100/90-18 which are 108mm wide + 642mm OD, for a width difference of 21mm
Tire: 110/80-18 which are 111mm wide + 640mm OD, for a width difference of 18mm

These two smaller front tires will cause a 2mph speedo error at 60mph.

Re: 72 GT550 cafe project rim/tire suggestions

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 7:04 am
by titan performance
I like the flanged Akront style rims myself.....I've seen stainless spokes on Cruizin' Image, or Vintage Avenue......one of those Asian sites. We had some wheels and spokes from Asia ourselves a couple of years back now, and they were very good, in fact, so good I think Akront get theirs from Asia, and simply rebrand them. The spokes were polished, shouldered stainless, and were first class....and they were pennies !
Thumbs up for the RoadRiders....I use those on my 500....they look good and perform well.

Re: 72 GT550 cafe project rim/tire suggestions

Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:13 am
by jabcb
Looked at the Bucanan’s website before I call to place an order.
For SS spokes & nipples, there are enough choices to make your head spin. Any suggestions?

RedZone has a Kenda Challenger 120/90-18 rear tire, so an Avon RR 120/90-18 should be OK.
But RedZone has a Kenda Challenger 100/90-18 front tire, and there isn’t much gap to the fender.

Does anyone know how well an Avon RR 110/90-18 or 110/80-18 will fit with stock forks+fender on a 72 GT550 or GT750?