Just saw this on craigslist.  The fat front tire looks pretty sweet.  Anyone ever done that before?  What are the downsides?  It looks like that bike is missing the fork brace, that's probably not good.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/4051351044.html

That is a 'cool in a way' bike! ... But I agree... No fork brace !? ... Gives me mental images of catastrophic suspension failure in a bumpy corner or similar!! 

I'm going to assume it's the stock front wheel, with a tire that is too big......and if so:

It is "possible" for the bead to break. Think about the shape of the tire - the expanded part balloons out, pulling the bead of the tire away from the rim. It also loses its rounded profile being pinched in the rim like that - the tire takes on more of a cone shape.

Basically, it is just dangerous as hell. Too much potential for failure.

 

Looks like he's got a rear tyre on the front, but I reckon the rear end is what actually gives it that cool look.

Mmm .. Even the rear is oversized though ... Maybe being sold cos owner has realised just how at risk his life is ??

It definitely looks like a rear tyre that he's put in the front.

Looks like the same size 90 profile tire front and rear.  It's a B'stone Spitfire touring tire i think and probably a 130/90 which would almost touch the front of the swing arm on rear of GS, possibly a 140, can't see a straight on rear shot to tell.  At least they reversed tire rotation direction for front application as they should.   Actually it would be a good fit on the GS 3" front rim, OK fit on rear.  As seen in bottom pic the GS fork brace would not fit on with a tire that big. 

I've got a 120/70 front on now and don't like the handling as well as a 110/70 or 110/80 and wouldn't like a 130 front any more than the GS would I think.  Probably handle well enough to showboat down the boulevard though. 

He has no fork brace because it physically wouldn't fit with that tire.

I assume the bike handles like crap. Having a tire that big in the front would be crap for turn-in. And I'm sure the bike isn't even divable with a tire that big and heavy with no fork brace anyways.

Add says he is not a big 'leaner'... wonder why? 

Also, in that first pic, is it missing timing cover?

- Bboy

Also the brake line and wheel speed cable are awfully close to the tire with absolutely no protection.

youd have to fabricate a fork brace to clear the tire. id pass unless its dirt cheap. the front tire geometry worries me greatly

question  im wondering. what gives with th ebadly photochopped in background. ?, look thru front wheel. plus the white haze around bike

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on September 25, 2013, 08:48:07 AM
question  im wondering. what gives with th ebadly photochopped in background. ?, look thru front wheel. plus the white haze around bike

That's just really badly done HDR photo editing, nothing looks photochopped.

Quote from: Wagoneer on September 25, 2013, 09:08:44 AM

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on September 25, 2013, 08:48:07 AM
question  im wondering. what gives with th ebadly photochopped in background. ?, look thru front wheel. plus the white haze around bike

That's just really badly done HDR photo editing, nothing looks photochopped.

backgroud thru front wheel doesnt match outside of wheel. ( different angle.)cept thru back wheel its fine lol. 2 grand tho id steer far away fron it

That poor bike. Why do people do that?
This belongs in the thread about people selling their POS for a fortune.
Maybe it is worth $700 at most - and that's as parts. No, wait, only the engine would be worth anything and I doubt that is in good shape so lets say it is a $150 POS that needs rescuing.

Quote from: adidasguy on September 25, 2013, 11:07:10 AM
That poor bike. Why do people do that?
This belongs in the thread about people selling their POS for a fortune.
Maybe it is worth $700 at most - and that's as parts. No, wait, only the engine would be worth anything and I doubt that is in good shape so lets say it is a $150 POS that needs rescuing.

Not that id normally condone such behaviour, BUT even tho i love the gs, that would be one bike id consider shooting.

Deserves this ( plenty of them)