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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> 18" front wheel ?
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Message started by zipidachimp on 06/09/22 at 12:14:37

Title: 18" front wheel ?
Post by zipidachimp on 06/09/22 at 12:14:37

Contemplating a change to 18" front. Anyone here have experience with this ? Any handling gains to be had?
I really dislike the 19/15 combo appearance.
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 06/09/22 at 13:01:15

18's front and rear - as most of the cafe conversions are. Turn-in will be much faster due to the decrease in rake and trail.

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by zipidachimp on 06/09/22 at 13:14:01

I should add: I've lowered the front 33mm by use of DC MOTIVE top tree, and installed 12.5" shocks. Do you see a problem ? Maybe go back a step with 18" wheel?
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 06/09/22 at 15:14:15

Raising the forks in the triple clamp should give you some concern. You are right at the point where a fully compressed fork will cause contact between the fender and the bottom of the lower triple clamp.

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by zipidachimp on 06/09/22 at 19:21:37

Thanks: I'm using zip ties to monitor how close I come to bottoming. OK for now.
My concern is, if I go for the 18" rim, am I doing too much, with taller shocks and lowered front, to quicken he steering. It handles real nice now, but I still hate the 19/15 combo.
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by ohiomoto on 06/10/22 at 15:03:50

The fork lowers are tall enough that there is plenty of clearance for the stock 19" tire and fender. (This is clearly illustrated in the picture below.) What you need to look out for is that the fork lowers don't bottom out into the lower triple clamp.

To do that, remove your fork springs and confirm the fork will bottom out before hitting the clamp.

I had 2" (nearly 51mm) removed from my forks and had a few mm to spare. (also shown in the picture below.)

You only went 33mm but that doesn't account for any differences in the top clamp thickness. That said, you have more than 17mm more to play with so I'm guessing you are safe.

http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/Forks.jpg

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by zipidachimp on 07/10/22 at 00:28:16

First ride today on my new 18" wheel.
Corners I usually slowed for can now be taken without slowing. Really nice, understeer is history. I need to experiment with reducing the amount I lowered the front previously.
Buchannon's laced me an Excel shouldered
2.15" rim for $550 delivered. I think it also looks better than the 19".
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by Ruttly on 07/11/22 at 01:02:02

Christmas is coming and you need a fork brace
Redrill the stock fender , it helps it all blend nicely , can’t barely tell its a 18” wheel with a 19” fender

Title: Re: 18" front wheel ?
Post by zipidachimp on 07/11/22 at 13:55:07

I thought of drilling, but the fender/tire gap is so small it looks like stock. The gap on my 19" could be measured with a feeler gauge !
Cheers! 8-)