Yoshimura R&D Superbike

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Also, forgot to ask this earlier: does anyone make a 17" old school mag wheel? The standard Morris "mags" were 19/16 and the Enkei "mags" were 19/18 or 19/16. Enkei did make an 18/18 combination for Z1Rs and KZ Police bikes, I believe the police wheels were a tad wider.

zed1015 wrote: If you want close to the period Yoshi rep look then Z1R 18's is the way to go BUT if you want something that COULD have been fitted at the time then go for 17" akront type alloy rims and spokes on kawasaki disc hubs, using a wider rim for modern rubber would be acceptable artistic licence.
17" rims have been around for years.
My 1960 Royal enfield crusader has 17's.

zed1015 wrote: If you want close to the period Yoshi rep look then Z1R 18's is the way to go BUT if you want something that COULD have been fitted at the time then go for 17" akront type alloy rims and spokes on kawasaki disc hubs, using a wider rim for modern rubber would be acceptable artistic licence.
17" rims have been around for years.
My 1960 Royal enfield crusader has 17's.

turboguzzi wrote: gee man, that's skewing reality....

18" was the rim size used till 16" came along around 82'-83', 17" in the context of sport bikes arrived only in 86' and historically is conencted to a tottaly different breed of bikes.

I could understand if there was a shortage of good 18" sport/racing rubber, but now with the latest Conti Road Attacks II 18" Radials, no one can complain really.

mtbspeedfreak wrote: [

But I'll let you guys know before I purchase those two items to give you time to buy stock in the companies.

turboguzzi wrote: keep your eyes open for Moris, seen a few come up in ebay.

one warning though, dont even touch, let alone mount, an old magnesium wheel, the alloy ages really badly and age cracks.

try to find the aluminum version (marvic do them new in Al too)

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Thanks Mark, I do appreciate your advice. I hope I don't sound cynical in my past or future replies, I genuinely appreciate [and NEED] advice from folks like you, Larry, wireman, turboguzzi, etc., I have a dry and/or sarcastic/smartass sense of humor at times. :lol:

I know I can't build this bike, the right way, for 8 grand; everything is a trade off though. A nice crank, set of rods, and cams are justified way of spending $3,500; that Dormei/Yosh 4-4 superbike replica exhaust system is not a justified way of spending $3,500 at this point. Who knows what'll happen when I win the lottery next week.

Regarding rim size, the Yosh race bikes ran the standard 19"/18" combination, in cast magnesium of course. Since I can't find any cast magnesium wheels and likely couldn't afford them even if I knew where a dozen sets were, I'm planning on using the standard mag wheels.

Though, I'm very strongly considering using a stock front Z1R 18" wheel, but that won't be true to form. Additionally, I just got off the horn with Kosman, I'm considering getting a rear wheel widened so I can fit a 140-150 rear in it.


All this being said, I'm heading to Norway on Sunday for three weeks. I'm disconnecting work email from my phone and won't be bringing a laptop - this will be my first TRUE vacation, I am very much looking forward to it!!!