110/70 on 3.5" front wheel?

[kidsixteen]

SO I just purchased my kat wheel to go with the slew of mods I've been throwing @ this lil bike lately. I've got a K6 Gsxr FE that's going on in the next few weeks too...

The question is, the stock size for a gsxr front tire is 120/70 on a 3.5" wheel... Stock size on the GS 3" wheel is 110...

From what I can gather. I'd rather have a 110 on the front as the 120 will cost me handling and agility in trade for grip that I'll have plenty of either way.

The extra .5" will bring the profile down a little on a 110/70 and flatten it out some.

So which ends up being worse? A 120 that's the right size for the wheel and too big for the bike? or a 110 that's the right size for the bike and too small for the wheel?

The added benefit of the 110 is that I could throw it on the stocker and rock it while I'm collecting the parts for my FE swap so I can get rid of the bias-ply front and not have to wait to put my kat rear and radial tire on the back...


then again.. imagine how night and day a difference it'll be if I ride it on beat up bias plies and stock, leaking suspension until the day I drop k6 gsxr 750 forks/wheel/rotors, r6 radial calipers, r6 rear shock and a kat rear wheel w/ a new set of Metzeler M3s all at the same time.

All I need is to pick a front tire size and for my steering stem to be finished.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

I personally would run the 120, but that may only be cause I already am.. What size rear tire are you going to run?

[kidsixteen]

Rear is 160/60 Metzeler m3

[Phil B]

then again.. imagine how night and day a difference it'll be if I ride it on beat up bias plies and stock, leaking suspension until the day I drop k6 gsxr 750 forks/wheel/rotors, r6 radial calipers, r6 rear shock and a kat rear wheel w/ a new set of Metzeler M3s all at the same time.

maybe this would be a good time for you to actually write down what all that costs.. and compare that, to the cost of you selling your GS500 and buying a used gsx?

or are you doing all this, "to save on insurance"? lol

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Check the specs on that tire. I couldn't find them specific to the Metzelers(you may want to call them,) but I found others that listed usable rim widths from 2.5 to 3.5. So even though the recommended rim is 3.00. You'd likely be ok. Have you checked to see if the earlier rim's will fit your FE. They were 3 inches like the GS.

[gsJack]

I still have a M3 spec sheet, the 110/70-17 is made for a 3.0" rim and 3.0-3.5" are permitted rim widths listed.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

^ Tire god. If he says it's ok, you're good.

[kidsixteen]

maybe this would be a good time for you to actually write down what all that costs.. and compare that, to the cost of you selling your GS500 and buying a used gsx?

or are you doing all this, "to save on insurance"? lol

A) Building bikes is as fun as riding them. 
B) Gixxers are for squids and experts, I'm neither of those.
C) Buying a $1000 E and sticking $2000 worth of cool new stuff on it is about the price of a stock F 

I still have a M3 spec sheet, the 110/70-17 is made for a 3.0" rim and 3.0-3.5" are permitted rim widths listed.

Perfect. Ordered! Thank you.

^ Tire god. If he says it's ok, you're good.

So I've read... 

[Phil B]

or are you doing all this, "to save on insurance"? lol

A) Building bikes is as fun as riding them. 

Okay, gotcha..
I'm still curious though.. since it kinda seems like you're basically building your own gsx, but with a gs500 engine.
Wonder which works out better in the end:  building things UP that way... or finding an old gsx with the engine burned out, and putting a gs500 engine in that?   
Specially an older one. Then you could more reasonably use 180/55 wheels in back, rather than "merely" 150

Ya know, if I was more of a gearhead, I personally would be interested in such a beast to play around with myself (to ride, that is)
Sounds like a lot of fun. But I'd prolly kill myself on a full spec 600

Anyone know of any past attempt to put a smaller engine, in a "bigger" bike?

For the "economical but sporty" types, this should be a win-win:
there should be lots of space to put in a smaller engine: PLUS, the gsx is 50lbs lighter, so technically it should get even better gas milage. and be MORE flickable, etc.

[kidsixteen]

I sort of feel the opposite... build this one and if I really need more power someday (we'll see... it wont be soon) I'll grab a gsxr/kat/bandit/whatever frame and engine, stick all these rad parts on it and still have a stock gs500 left to sit next to my 'new' bike.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

I sort of feel the opposite... build this one and if I really need more power someday (we'll see... it wont be soon) I'll grab a gsxr/kat/bandit/whatever frame and engine, stick all these rad parts on it and still have a stock gs500 left to sit next to my 'new' bike.

Now that can make a lot of sense.
And to Phil B, some people like to slowly build up there bike to make it better,  while getting better at riding at the same time. Instead of jumping to a super-sport right away.