SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> best choice for larger rear rim?
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1524265794

Message started by yetimeister on 04/20/18 at 16:09:54

Title: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by yetimeister on 04/20/18 at 16:09:54

Looking to finally get back to building my voodoo vintage chop project savage. Im looking to get a new larger rear rim for it now. Either new or used. Whats the best options out there for either? I kind of plan on buying a rim and having a local shop lace up my stock hub assembly as i'm told thats really my best option. Thinking 17 plus for ground clearance now that i'm chopped. Thanks guys!

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Dave on 04/20/18 at 19:16:02

One of the problems in getting a different rear rim....is that any "old" rim you find that has the spoke holes angled to match a rear hub with a drum brake....is that the rim is likely to be only 1.85 - 2.15 inches wide. That narrow of a rim doesn't work with new style tires, and you will be forced to go with a narrow tire that has tall sidewalls. Vintage sizes are listed like 4.00 x 18, 3.50x18, etc.

The best choice for a modern rim that is wider - is Buchanan's Spoke and Rim in CA. They can punch the rim to match the angle you need for the Savage hub, and they can also sell you the correct length of spokes....and they likely can lace the wheel as cheaply as your local shop.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Armen on 04/20/18 at 19:55:27

I used Woody's Wheel Works in Colorado. They built up a 2.5x18 rear wheel with alloy rim and did their tubeless conversion thing, as well as stainless spokes and nipples.
Nice folks

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/21/18 at 05:38:27

+1 for Buchanan's. Great product, support and communication.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Grinin on 04/21/18 at 10:56:37

do you have any idea how much they charge for drilling a 3.50x18 rear rim for a LS 650 rear hub

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Grinin on 04/21/18 at 11:06:25

Im wondering for you guys going with the 18" rear tires. Im trying to figure out what the problem is with the stock frame for trying to do corners well. Its not my desire to be a big knee drager but want it to look cool(to me) and feel sort of cool in the corners as well. If brought this up before with some others and any attempt to get any kind of cornering performance tips are met with get a sportbike. I dont want a sportbike. I just want simple and fun. I dont understand the hatred of wanting to talk about putting a little performance cornering into this bike. I assume the 18" rear wheel people (tracker, cafe racer whatever) wouldnt mind a few cornering tips as well. I look forward to your replies.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by batman on 04/21/18 at 13:21:22

The stock Savage suffers from having to wide a rear tire, 130 -90-15 tire would allow it to turn into curve better, the other problem is it's neck angle of 35degrees ,where most sport bikes, are more like 27-29 which gives faster turning and shorter wheel base , You can improve a stock bike 's handling by use of the 130tire, taller and better shocks,and a fork brace.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Fast 650 on 04/21/18 at 14:12:18

Well put Batman. The Savage was meant to be an entry level cruiser. Sportbikes are somewhat specialized machines, much like the Savage is, but both are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Neither bike can be made to do the others job well, so it will be a compromise and not do either job very well.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Dave on 04/21/18 at 15:34:14

MMRanch and Oldfeller have proven the Savage can corner really well in the twisties.......it is not all that good at high speed sweepers and tends to wander a bit when the speeds increase. It is not a great handling bike or fast in the corners compared to a dedicated sport bike with a good rider.....but it does a lot better than most of the bigger cruisers.

The 140/80 and 140/90 tires are heavy - the 130/90 is a good fit on the bike if you want to keep the rear rim size. Using a "cruiser" 15" rear rim diameter really limits the type of tire you can buy.....you cannot buy a sticky performance tire.

Changing to a 17" or 18" rear rim will dramatically change the type of tire you can buy - you will be able to find tires with multiple compounds and modern tread styles. If you use a common vintage 2.50" wide rim you will be limited to something around a 120/90 tire - changing to a 3.50" rim will allow you to use a more modern 130/70 tire and make the tread profile much better. I have run the Pirelli Sport Demons or Bridgestone Battlax BT45 - both of them wear out in 6,000 - 8,000 miles if you ride around corners briskly.

If you change the bike to a Cafe' or Tracker style bike it drops the forks, raises the back, and the result is the fork angle steepens, you get more weight on the front wheel, and the trail in the forks decreases - the bike steers less like a cruiser.....it is still not a sport bike but steers very nicely.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Armen on 04/21/18 at 20:01:57

I did the 18" to quicken the steering, raise the gearing, and allow me a better choice of tires. I went narrower because the stock tire is too much rubber/weight for a 30HP bike.
Sending the hub to Woody's for SS spokes and nipples, alloy rim, the tubeless conversion, and labor was about $600.
I asked, and Buchanans won't do the tubeless conversion.
Less weight, easier roadside flat fix, and never buying another tube, were my reasons to go tubeless.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by kojones on 04/25/18 at 03:14:37

Suzuki DR750 with drum brake has the same hub and and 2.5x17" rim. That's the cost effective way, can be bought for 100 euro or less.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Dave on 04/25/18 at 04:07:16

2E2A2F2A2B2036450 wrote:

Suzuki DR750 with drum brake has the same hub and and 2.5x17" rim. That's the cost effective way, can be bought for 100 euro or less.

For those of us in the US - the DR750 or DR800 wheel is likely not a workable option. Those bikes are very rare bike in the US.....the only wheel I could find listed on eBay recently was in Germany and was not in great condition.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Wheel-Rear-Wheel-Suzuki-Dr-750-sr41b-/112951497249?hash=item1a4c6f1221%3Ag%3AJOgAAOSwCJxaOUh~&nma=true&si=Fg1Io7XKay3vVNZi2DifmTeK0C8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by yetimeister on 04/26/18 at 17:51:28

Good info thanks everyone. Trying to decide if 17 or 18 inch would be best to go with and what width. This is all new to me being my rear end now is a voodoo vintage hard tail now. Kind of a guessing game at this point ha.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Dave on 04/26/18 at 18:34:18

7B67766B6F676B71766770020 wrote:

Kind of a guessing game at this point ha.

Have you looked through the Bike Builds section to see what others have done?

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by yetimeister on 04/27/18 at 14:14:43

407B7661707C67617A727F60130 wrote:

[quote author=7B67766B6F676B71766770020 link=1524265794/0#12 date=1524790288] Kind of a guessing game at this point ha.

Have you looked through the Bike Builds section to see what others have done?[/quote]

Yeah I have been. I haven't found much yet for rear rim info set ups honestly.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Titsken on 05/08/18 at 20:05:09

Hello, I was looking too in changing the rim to a bigger size. If that DR750 realy fits i am going to buy one. According to this calculation with a tire it isn't mutch larger then stock. Then I can mount allroad tires. :)

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Titsken on 05/08/18 at 20:05:48

According o this calculator. :) https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=140-90r15-130-80r17

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by kojones on 05/08/18 at 23:55:21

6954494E5658533D0 wrote:

Plenty of clearance with 130/80-17 on a dr750 wheel.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Dave on 05/09/18 at 03:50:37

Kojones:

I don't believe I have ever seen a photo of your bike before.....that is very nice!

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by kojones on 05/10/18 at 01:29:05

52696473626E757368606D72010 wrote:

Kojones:

I don't believe I have ever seen a photo of your bike before.....that is very nice!

Thanks! It’s been fun to build it, no major modifications done so a newbie managed to tackle the challenges. And this site has been really, really helpful.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by zipidachimp on 05/11/18 at 02:07:49

as a non-expert, but familiar with slow steering, may I ask?: rather than change the rear, why not change the front to 18" or 17" and a RYCA top tree with tubes slid up a bit???? I've ordered the RYCA top tree. 8-)

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by Dave on 05/11/18 at 02:36:22

1A09100904010308090D10600 wrote:

The big heavy rear tire slows acceleration down......as well as keeping the cruiser look.

Changing the rim size (front and rear), longer back shocks and a lower front end really does quicken up the steering considerably and takes the cruiser look away. The bike feels like it "turns" into corners rather than "flopping over" into the turn.

Putting spacer in the forks to limit the travel is not a good way to drop the front.....it makes for a horribly rough and painful ride from the front. It is best to drop the forks with either a RYCA top yoke....or a modified bottom yoke used on top.

Title: Re: best choice for larger rear rim?
Post by zipidachimp on 05/11/18 at 14:54:12

I reached the conclusion a year ago that my S40s were not 'cruisers', but 'standards' with forward controls, and that's how they should have been marketed, but what do I know, I only bought two of 'em!
Fixing the 'front' is now my priority, at least for one of them! 8-)