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Post by ecose1 on Dec 16, 2013 21:33:32 GMT -5
I have been wondering what was behind the change to 16" rear wheels on my 72 Z1 and 75 H2, they look like harley rims
why did people change these and how, was it a rim they bought and laced the stock hub onto it or did you buy them like that
speculation has been to drag race them or fit a bigger tire for sportier riding
anyone know for sure?
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Post by JA-Moo on Dec 16, 2013 22:32:02 GMT -5
Good question! Hard to say what all was going through guys minds in the last 40 years. Maybe they liked the big donut look. I went to a 16 on my J 1000, of course it was on the front!
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Post by drewski on Dec 17, 2013 9:38:45 GMT -5
Good question! Hard to say what all was going through guys minds in the last 40 years. Maybe they liked the big donut look. I went to a 16 on my J 1000, of course it was on the front! Ya John, I have a hard enough time figuring out what's going on in my own head!!  Probably they are stock hubs with Harley or aftermarket rims and spokes. I'd guess, like John, that it could be for the "look" as well. Wider rubber and a smaller wheel for a better launch might be a reason too. Pretty tough to say unless you lived in, or studied the goings on in that era.  |
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Post by Walms on Dec 17, 2013 9:45:15 GMT -5
This was the "in" look back in the early eighties... With the desirable bikes like the Suzuki "low slingers" Honda V65 magna, Yamaha V-max
They all had that big bun on the back...
I recently just saw a blue Tracy bodied H2 on one of the boards with the same setup. Not my thang, but I bet it still is to some?
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Post by daffey1 on Dec 17, 2013 9:47:06 GMT -5
I think it's all about trying to get that pro drag racer look and all  |
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Post by III on Dec 17, 2013 9:51:47 GMT -5
If anyone cares to go to the 16" look, I have a nice set of Ninja mag wheels and a front end that should slide into the triple tree, as well as the swingarm, which I have also heard fits the H1 H2 frames.
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dickjny
2nd Gear
Wish the best to all my KTC, US & Canadian Triple rider friends! Dick J. - NY
Posts: 211 
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Post by dickjny on Feb 1, 2014 22:29:46 GMT -5
- I think the 16" rim for drag racing was just to get the bike lower, so it pushes less air; it also gives you better drag racing gearing without changing sprockets. ... Cheers, Dick J - NY
Drag racer - If you can't win, make your competition set a new record!
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Johnny O
2nd Gear
Ride it like you stole it !!!!!!!!
Posts: 334
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Post by Johnny O on Mar 23, 2014 8:29:03 GMT -5
I always thought shorter spokes ,more strength in the rear wheel??
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Post by Jim on Mar 23, 2014 11:58:41 GMT -5
For drag racing, lowering the center of gravity puts more weight on the rear tire and less on the wheelie bar.
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Johnny O
2nd Gear
Ride it like you stole it !!!!!!!!
Posts: 334
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Post by Johnny O on Mar 23, 2014 12:15:43 GMT -5
Jim I understand what you are saying but, when this was done it didn't change the stance of the bike!! For instance I had a 71 750 Honda which I put a drop center rim on the rear , the tire diameter did not change, just a different rim, causing shorter spokes. Hence the Harley drop center rim, which was common install.
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Post by Jim on Mar 23, 2014 12:34:21 GMT -5
Understood, Johnny. I was really responding to Dickjny's post that was specific to drag racing.
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Post by terryc on Mar 25, 2014 18:14:58 GMT -5
Had an 85 FJ1100 that came with 16" front and back and it handled marginally better than my Z1. Slightly exagerated but i never had a bike that pushed so hard and slid in corners even at slower speeds. I always assumed it was the wheels more than the geometry....
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Post by daffey1 on Mar 26, 2014 7:03:42 GMT -5
Could be the 16"rear wheel, but the FJ is also a very long bike as was the Z1
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Post by elmpark367 on Mar 28, 2014 12:46:51 GMT -5
There were many factors involved with wheel and rim combo's ,biggest problem was and always is ,trying to get HP to the ground. 18" wheels were commonly used on Kaw, Suz and Honda's and most came with that rim size on the rear thru the 70's and part of the 80's. Tire man. made tires(slicks)in various widths and compounds in 18" not so much 16". The sanctioning bodies eg.(NHRA , IDBA)also defined rim size for certain classes(Pro stock etc.)
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