TOPIC:

I've been collecting parts for a swingarm swap on my '78 LTD. I bought a Gpz750 swingarm a while ago, but it requires shock mounts welded on (looking for more of a vintage look so don't want to convert to monoshock). Recently I picked up a Zephyr 750 swinger, Shock mounts are there, but it is WIDE. I doubt I can keep the rear frame triangles (muffler and passenger peg mounts).

I would like to get a bigger back tire (Yes for looks, I know it'll slow the steering. I have a Buell for the curves of i ever find them around Houston). Problem is the three spoke sportbike wheel that everyone seems to use looks too modern, and won't really match my front mag. I have a few ideas,but am happy for any suggestions.

Idea one: 150/80/16 tire on stock rim

I know that 130 is the correct tire for a 3" rim. 3.5 is recommended for the 150 tire. But the manufacturer wouldn't list 3" rim as an option for that tire if was dangerous. 150 tire on 3" rim is normal for Harleys.

Idea two: widen stock rim

Found some examples of widened motorcycle wheels, but don't know of any reputable shops or how much not would cost. Wouldn't be cheap, but might be cheaper in the long run when you consider all the incidentals when doing a wheel swap.

Idea three: zx10/gpz1000 wheel





16x3.5, so I could run a 150 correctly. Would look OK matched with gpz750 front wheel. That is if a gpz750 wheel would work with my stock forks.

Idea four: cruiser wheel

Best one I've found so far is for a V Star 1300.



7 spokes. 16 by maybe 4. Stock tire is 170. The bike is a belt drive, not shaft, so it is equipped with a cush drive.
Best match I've found to the stock Kaw mags, but no idea now much machining it would take to make it work.

Kosman used to widen wheels but I don't know if they are still working.

80B4 wrote: Kosman used to widen wheels but I don't know if they are still working.

I thought I had read they are closed, but I could be wrong.

nitrokeeb wrote:
I thought I had read they are closed, but I could be wrong.

That's too bad, they have done some great work in the past!

You may want to reconsider widening the rims. Take a look at the link below. Ed

www.m109riders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121605

Don't try to put a 150 on your stock rim. The tire manufacturer may list it as possible, but the tire will just be squeezed upwards and it will not be allowed to take its intended profile. The tire beads may also not seat properly. I put a 150/60-18 tire on my Zephyr 550 3.50 rim and it just pushed the center up and still measures 140mm wide. The stock tire was 140. And the Bridgestone website showed it was a approved rim width for the 150 tire.
The cheapest route is do as you have done and find a Kawasaki wheel that is kinda close to matching the style of the front stock rim, or to buy matching front and rears.

The expensive route is to get a PMC 4.75-18 rear rim from Japan. They are made to look just like Kawasaki wheels, only much wider.
japan.webike.net/products/21124372.html

I read about the cracking rims when researching widened wheels.

The PMC wheels look nice, bit still don't match the stock seven spoke. A closer match might be these, but I'm not spending 1200 on a wheel. www.rolandsands.com/blog/452/morris-line

I would love to find wider Kawasaki wheels, bit to the best of my knowledge they never made similar wheels any wider than 3".

Good point..PMC sells 7-spoke MorrisMag magnesiums as well. They look real nice, but are stupid expensive.

www.win-pmc.com/other/morrismag/