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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> GT550 rear wheel swap
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Message started by wordet11 on 10/29/17 at 13:46:36

Title: GT550 rear wheel swap
Post by wordet11 on 10/29/17 at 13:46:36

Has anyone been able to verify whether or not the GT550 uses the same size rear hub as the Savage? Would love to swap one on to my bike.

Title: Re: GT550 rear wheel swap
Post by badwolf on 10/29/17 at 16:13:59

I have a alum. "snowflake" pattern 16 x 2.50 tubeless rear on one of my bikes, 83 Suzuki GS 550 GS550 LS. Swapped right over, but I am running BOTH Kaw pulleys so the axle is 6mm farther back from stock giving me room to run a MT90 16 rear tire without rubbing on the swingarm. Figure out what size tire you can run BEFORE you try to switch. If you are running just the front Kaw pulley you can't use too much bigger tire. I used the Shinko tire site to get the OD's of the tires.

https://www.shinkotireusa.com/products/street

Look at the pictures VERY closely before you buy the wheel. The inside of the brake hub should be stamped "160mm" same as ours. Suzuki used simliar wheels from the late 70's thru the mid 80's on various bikes from 450's to 850's tube type and tubeless, and some with disc brakes on the rear. Don't be afraid to e-mail the seller a question before you buy on E-bay. Most sellers know a little time answering a question is a lot better than the hassle of a return or a unhappy buyer, even if it is his own fault.

Title: Re: GT550 rear wheel swap
Post by SpamyToo on 10/31/17 at 23:21:06

I dont think it does. I wish I could say with 100%, but a few years ago I had my Savage and was rebuilding my GT550 and had that idea and decided not to do it.

Something didnt line up but I cant remember exactly what it was. It may have been the drum brake part or maybe the axle size. But whatever the reason was it was easier to just buy new spokes and a rim and use the Savage hub.

Although many of the parts on those bikes are very similar.

Title: Re: GT550 rear wheel swap
Post by SpamyToo on 10/31/17 at 23:22:05

Actually maybe it was the sprocket mount as opposed to the belt drive was different enough that it wouldnt work. Heres a picture of that side for reference....

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BZhzSjFtubP8gnh22

Title: Re: GT550 rear wheel swap
Post by Dave on 11/02/17 at 07:17:45

5F5D4E504E4C545D554E3C0 wrote:

One of the things that has kept me from doing this conversion, is the somewhat limited selection of tires for the 16" diameter rim. Most of the tires made in the MT90-16 size are made for "heavy" cruisers that far outweigh the little Savage, and the majority of the tires are not made for my "Sport Touring" riding style.

Here are the tires you can get if you want to use a 100/90-10 front tire.
Dunlop American Elite, Metzler ME 888, Avon AM26 Roadrider, Pirelli Night Dragon, Avon AV71 Cobra, Vee VRM-302. The Avon AM26 would be the best match for the weight of the Savage, and for the guy that rides a bit more aggressively than most cruisers.

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/dunlop-american-elite-motorcycle-tire/p/22634

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/metzeler-me-888-marathon-ultra-motorcycle-tire/p/41872

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/avon-am26-roadrider-motorcycle-tire/p/3318

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/pirelli-night-dragon-motorcycle-tire/p/19536

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/avon-av71-cobra-motorcycle-tire/p/22626

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/vee-rubber-vrm-302-twin-motorcycle-tire/p/43093

Perhaps there is a tire size in a 16" rim that provides more options for a Sport Touring type tire - 110/90-16, 120/80-16, 130/90-16, 150/80-16 - or a vintage size like 3.50-16 that will work properly with the relatively narrow rim width. (I will keep looking).