[ekim]

Most of the 70's racebikes did this.Adding not only a smaller diameter front wheel for quicker turns, but wider rims also.Im wondering If this can be achieved on a 70's streetbike,and would you have to lengthin the forks to make up for the lower front end.You dont want to put too much engine wieght on your front tire right? Has anyone done this or would it not work for a streetbike setup? Any help would be great.

 

[joe c]

the more weight up front the better. less chatter and more contact patch. if you make the forks longer, that offsets the geometry you were trying to achieve with the smaller front wheel. we do it all of the time and actually even drop the tubes throught the clamps to get it even lower and more unstable! i mean quicker steering. just order shorter spokes and a rim with the correct hole pattern. or just switch em.

any other thoughts any one??

jc

 

[JD]

you said it brother! more patch!

yes, lower the front end. more weight is good for turning from what they tell me. thats why I have such a long tank and I sit so far back, I want my front wheel to slide out easily. seriously, get an 18" aluminium rim and spokes to match and don't get longer forks.

 

[Donald]

I personally like a little less patch. A nicely trimmed cooch is much better.

 

[ekim]

Is it really that easy to do?Is there anything else I have to take into consideration when doing this.You say its quicker turning ,but is is more unstable.What bikes have you guys done this to?

 

[aaron]

All my bikes, but one. It helps even the weight from front to back and allows quicker steering. There was an article recently in Classic racer about the benefits of an 18 inch front wheel will give you. I'll dig it out.

Aaron

 

[joe c]

just be careful when youre trying to do those triple jumps. causes the front to drop. not a good thing from 30' in the air.

jc

 

[ekim]

Oh Munky nuts...If you can find that article that would be some good readin!

 

[ekim]

So if you swap say to an 18 x4.00, or stock rear 18" wheel for the front 19" and lace it onto the front hub, what size tire would you run on the front and rear keeping in mind I'll be riding this on the street; not the track.
found that article yet Joe?

 

[joe c]

i dont know that you can lace a rear rim to a front hub, or vice versa. the spoke pitch is different. you know, the angle of the spokes from the hub and to the rim. know what im saying. but maybe someone has done it. aarons the one with the article. i wouldnt count on seeing it anytime soon. theres a track day tomorrow, where he will undoubtedly detonate his motor, then he'll be busy rebuilding it til friday night.

jc

 

[ekim]

Had time to look for that article yet Arron?