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Message started by Jimmer on 01/04/12 at 11:39:16

Title: Alloy rims
Post by Jimmer on 01/04/12 at 11:39:16

Mr Verslagen1
You gave me a post about alloy rims to replace the spoke standard rims on my 2000 LS 650.
Being computer illiterate,I can,t locate the whale post. Can you give me some help?
Thanks
Jimmer

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by verslagen1 on 01/04/12 at 12:01:24

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1205292181

tip: narrow your search down to what you know.
and the one result per thread really helps if you get a lot of results.
http://www.savageriders.com/Help/search.jpg

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by EJID on 01/04/12 at 12:18:47

And here's Versy's conclusion... @ reply #68

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1205292181/68

I got a gs550l rear and it fit perfectly w/o any mods.
The front is from a gs650, but the disk is from a gs450 and the diameter has to be cut down to match the savage. I used .25" spacers, but with new pads I needed to space the caliper in a little.

8-)

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by Jimmer on 01/04/12 at 14:04:22

EJID
Using the the gs5501 rear you could still keep the belt drive. Also a little confused on the gs5501. Is that a gs550 from the year 01?

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by Jimmer on 01/04/12 at 14:05:46

Verslagen1
Thanks for the help

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by spacepirates on 01/04/12 at 14:21:52

I'm looking to do the same thing, but have been dragging my feet due to pricing it out.

found this gem:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3565549/Motorcycle-fork-tube-sizes

it is a document that has the fork tube diameter for a lot of bikes, though without looking hard the newest bike i saw on there was an '04.

it lists the savage as:
38 Suzuki LS-650 FG/PG/FH/PH/PJ (86-88)
38 Suzuki LS-650 PS/PT/PV/PW/PX/PY/PK1/PK2/PK3 "Savage" (95-03)

the important part is that it lists all the OTHER bikes with the same fork diameter, which in theory (and correct me if i'm wrong since i've never attempted what i'm about to suggest) means that you can swap any of the bikes' lower front ends on and it should fit.

this gives you a few more options when it comes to looking for mag wheels rather than just the GS series. maybe a few of these other bikes have dual rotors too.

though, please, someone a bit more versed in forks ring in and tell me if i'm right or wrong. i'm just kind of winging this and hoping it floats on my hopes and dreams. :o

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by EJID on 01/04/12 at 14:34:53

644743434B5C2E0 wrote:

EJID
Using the the gs5501 rear you could still keep the belt drive. Also a little confused on the gs5501. Is that a gs550 from the year 01?

I did not mean to confuse...I was merely quoting what was said in Verslagen's post on the Whale topic. I have NOT swapped mine or even considered it. :o

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by spacepirates on 01/04/12 at 14:36:01

4F6C68686077050 wrote:

EJID
Using the the gs5501 rear you could still keep the belt drive. Also a little confused on the gs5501. Is that a gs550 from the year 01?

I think he means GS550L, or GS-550 L, as in model 'L' as opposed to 'E' or any other such random character.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by Jimmer on 01/04/12 at 14:45:40

DUH after I wrote that I figure it out also. Think I've got brain freeze it's 24 degrees here this evening.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by verslagen1 on 01/04/12 at 16:55:54

4142535157425B4053465741320 wrote:

found this gem:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3565549/Motorcycle-fork-tube-sizes

it is a document that has the fork tube diameter for a lot of bikes

the important part is that it lists all the OTHER bikes with the same fork diameter, which in theory (and correct me if i'm wrong since i've never attempted what i'm about to suggest) means that you can swap any of the bikes' lower front ends on and it should fit.

this gives you a few more options when it comes to looking for mag wheels rather than just the GS series. maybe a few of these other bikes have dual rotors too.

We've more or less have kept to the GS series because that series front ends will swap with minimal difficulties. Stem size, bearing size, yada, yada, yada.

The savage top triple tree is a little different from the others though. The top is not a clamp, it's a through hole. And the cap secures it to the tree. So unless the donor mounts in the same way, you'll need to make a mod to make it work.

Also there's a lot of difference in the tree's, so when you find one you like to try, you'll need to calculate the geometry to make sure it won't send you into the ditch.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by LANCER on 01/04/12 at 23:48:09

I used '83 GS 550L/GS650 wheels, brake caliper, disc, and fork assembly; including the trees. It mounts to the frame just fine and there were no control issues.
The wheels are 16" rear and 19" front. The disc pads are same as stock and the LS650 rear brake assembly fits the rear wheel brake hub perfectly .
I got a deal on 880 Metzler's for good road contact and durable rubber

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by spacepirates on 01/05/12 at 06:12:37

Ok, so just swapping the forks might not work because the Savage's triple tree doesn't act like a clamp like most trees do.

however, the great internet has provided us with another list!
http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/OCRStemSizes.pdf

This one lists bikes that have the same stem size as 95 to 01 savages. the 83 GS 550L even makes the list.

Ok, Versy and Lancer, in *theory* given the same stem size, could any of the bikes on this list that match the savage provide a suitable front end swap with minimal to no mods? So if we found a donor bike with mag wheels, we could pull the front end off of it and put it on the savage, though we'd still be at the mercy of a GS model for the rear. and having mis-matched mag wheels might not be the most appealing thing in the world.

EDIT:
stem sizes in case anyone wants to know:
Upper: 25 x 47 x 15
Lower: 30 x 55 x 17

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by spacepirates on 01/05/12 at 06:24:16

Hm, it seems I may be able to answer my own question:

There is no way of knowing how long the steering stem is on the donor triple and if it will fit into your bike's neck. Which can mean just a bit of shimming (if you're lucky) or a stem extension / swap (if you're not so lucky). Some stems are pressed in, some are welded.....

However, this at least gives me/us a place to start.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by verslagen1 on 01/05/12 at 08:07:58

You can get an ugly tree to try out fairly cheaply.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by Mario Verasso on 06/13/12 at 21:47:16

Q: #1 If you find a donor bike with the same diameter fork tubes?
#2 Couldn't you just insert the tubes into the savage trees?
#3 If they were the same width would that work? I<-->I

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by verslagen1 on 06/13/12 at 22:41:10

38mm forks
Honda
CR-125R
XR-250R
Kawasaki
KX-80R2/R3/R4/R5/R6/R7
KX-125
KDX-200
KX-250
KDX-400
KX-420
KL-600A1
ZX-600C1-C6
ZX-600C7-C10
KL-650A1-A18
VN-700A1
VN-750A2-A20
ZX-750F1-F4
ZL-900A1/A2
ZX-900A1-A3
KZ-1000C1-C4
KZ-1000J1-J3
KZ-1000K1/K2
KZ-1000P1-P20
ZL-1000A1
KZ-1100A1-A3
KZ-1100B1/B2
KZ-1100D1/D2
ZN-1100B1/B2
Suzuki
RM-125
PE-175
RM-250
RM-400N/T
LS-650
Yamaha
YZ-125
IT-175
IT-250
YZ-250
FZR-400
YZ-400
IT-465
YZ-465
XT-550
FZR-600
XJ-600
FZX-700S/SC/T/TC
XJ-700N/NC/S/SC
XV-700L/LC/N/NC
XV-700CS/CSC/CT/CTC
XV-750
XV-1000
XV-1100

Also check to see if they have 15mm front axle.
and a compatible caliper mount.
but I would rather swap the whole front end.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by spacepirates on 06/14/12 at 06:37:18

767A6972746D7E697A6868741B0 wrote:

Q: #1 If you find a donor bike with the same diameter fork tubes?
#2 Couldn't you just insert the tubes into the savage trees?
#3 If they were the same width would that work? I<-->I

most triple trees are actually triple *clamps* in that the tree actually clamps down on the tube. the savage doesn't do that.

Assuming you found the same diameter forks that attached to the tree in the same way, you'd have the wheel, axle, rotors, and caliper(s) to deal with afterwards. Sometimes, things magically come together and they work with just minor things like adding spacers. Most times... not so much. I'd advocate avoiding too many spacers/mounting brackets for brakes as I just don't trust them and think they add more points of failure for a vital component, but that is just me.

an entire front end swap makes the deal a lot easier. I'm putting a CBR600 front end on my XS750 for the time being until I can find a set of USD forks that'll work on it for a decent price. at which point, the cbr front end will most likely make it's way onto the savage.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by LANCER on 06/14/12 at 09:41:40

7C7F6E6C6A7F667D6E7B6A7C0F0 wrote:

[quote author=767A6972746D7E697A6868741B0 link=1325705956/0#14 date=1339649236]Q: #1 If you find a donor bike with the same diameter fork tubes?
#2 Couldn't you just insert the tubes into the savage trees?
#3 If they were the same width would that work? I<-->I

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by WD on 06/14/12 at 21:53:07

Mario, short answer is no. Savage has an oddball front end, the forks aren't much more advanced than those that came on the 1949 Hydra-glide.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by Mario Verasso on 06/18/12 at 04:47:10

0B185C0 wrote:

Mario, short answer is no. Savage has an oddball front end,

There is the answer of the day. Equals, pain in the @$$...
In this post I noticed someone wrote that the trees mount differently than most other bikes too. Thanks guys for all the info.

Title: Re: Alloy rims
Post by Mario Verasso on 06/18/12 at 19:51:11

Anyone try these rims yet?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/83-Suzuki-GS-650-M-MD-Katana-front-wheel-rim-tire-19-/190689762268?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c65fedbdc&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/83-Suzuki-GS-650-M-MD-Katana-rear-wheel-rim-tire-17-/200774496719?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ebf17b1cf&vxp=mtr