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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: commuterdude on March 24, 2009, 06:27:55 PM

Title: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: commuterdude on March 24, 2009, 06:27:55 PM
I'm looking at the Avon Storm ST's in a 160 60 17 rear and was wondering if anyone has tried these w/ a standard Kat rear rim swap?   Or could anyone recommend the ultimate Kat rim tires?
Title: Re: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: joshr08 on March 24, 2009, 06:30:20 PM
I can tell you DONT go 160/60-17 shinko raven.  it was a super tight fit and i think it might be more then 160 but i didnt measure it.
Title: Re: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: gsJack on March 25, 2009, 06:26:42 AM
According to Shinko the 160/60 Raven is 6.34" wide on a 4.5" rim.  So that's 6.34x25.4= 161 mm approx wide.  The Storm 160/60 is wider at 164 mm wide on a 4.5" rim according to Avon.  Some of the Storms are quite wide like the 150/70 for example is 156 mm wide on a 4.0" rim so it would be approx 161 mm wide on a 4.5" rim same as the 160/60 Raven.

A remember way back when one member wrote up a 160 on Kat rim conversion and he moved the rear sprocket out a bit with washer spacers to get the chain just clear of the tire.  Next member to try it chose a wider 160/60 tire and it didn't work out.  Could be why Suzuki stayed with the 150/70 tire when they changed from 3.5 to 4.5 rear rims on the Kats.

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Title: Re: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: joshr08 on March 25, 2009, 06:34:46 AM
i had to space out my sprocket with shim washers but it was super tight.
Title: Re: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: The Buddha on March 25, 2009, 07:45:54 AM
Guys the the real deal is ... yea spacing the rear sproket is a OK solution, but to start doing it right you need to get an offset front sproket. 1/4 inch is plenty. If you get it too far out like 5/8th you'd saw through the frame with the chain. However I'd not worry if its 1/4 or less.
To get anything larger than 1/4 you have to get a bolt put in the countershaft and hold the sproket on with bolt not just that retaining clip.
If you're doing that, might as well go belt drive. That is the last hurdle. Get a Vulcan 800 belt from scootworks and your good.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: joshr08 on March 25, 2009, 07:47:39 AM
im only spaced out 1/8 inch in the rear so i didnt move front sprocket.
Title: Re: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: The Buddha on March 25, 2009, 07:55:53 AM
Get a 530 front sproket Take off 1/8th in the center  on one side and take 1/8th off the outside on the other.
But yea 1/8th not nearly enough to make much diff.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Katana Swap Tire Question
Post by: commuterdude on March 25, 2009, 02:41:18 PM
Perhaps a better question might be, " What Tire are You Running on Your Katana Rim?".