1982 Kawasaki 550 ltd

The 82-2005 KZ1000-P police bikes had an 18" Fr wheel, but I have no idea how one of them would fit a 550.

Riskywhiskey wrote:

mjg15 wrote: Use an 18" wheel from a KZ550a (80-83), which is probably a bolt-on, and shorten the forks and inch or so. You can buy GPz550 cables to sort out the cable problem that you have from the handlebar swap.

So far as I've been looking, all the front wheels that I've seen are 19" wheels. Is there anywhere I can find 18" wheels?

As far as I know there aren't any 18's that will be a bolt-on for the front. 18 fronts are on KZ-police, Z1r, KZ1100R, ZG1000, KZ1300, ZL600, and GPz305 but none will work without some serious alterations. The ones that would be likely to need the least work are GPz305 the ZL600 (late 80's). Neither are 7 spoke like the rear.

mjg15 wrote:

Riskywhiskey wrote:

mjg15 wrote: Use an 18" wheel from a KZ550a (80-83), which is probably a bolt-on, and shorten the forks and inch or so. You can buy GPz550 cables to sort out the cable problem that you have from the handlebar swap.

So far as I've been looking, all the front wheels that I've seen are 19" wheels. Is there anywhere I can find 18" wheels?

As far as I know there aren't any 18's that will be a bolt-on for the front. 18 fronts are on KZ-police, Z1r, KZ1100R, ZG1000, KZ1300, ZL600, and GPz305 but none will work without some serious alterations. The ones that would be likely to need the least work are GPz305 the ZL600 (late 80's). Neither are 7 spoke like the rear.

How about wheels from other bike brands?

I cannot image trying to fit a front wheel from a different brand would be worth the effort if your objective is to lower the front end. Consider this - if you replace a 19" front wheel with a 18" front wheel you will not lower the front by 1". You will only lower it by 1/2". This is because the height of the front end will only be lowered by the amount that the front axle is lowered, and that is only half the amount that the height of the wheel is lowered. Seems to me you would be spending an awful lot of time and money just to drop the front end by 1/2" especially considering that a 1/2" difference will not change the bike's appearance. In fact, (to me) if you put on a front wheel that doesn't match the style of the rear wheel the bike will look like it's been in a wreck. Ed

650ed wrote: I cannot image trying to fit a front wheel from a different brand would be worth the effort if your objective is to lower the front end. Consider this - if you replace a 19" front wheel with a 18" front wheel you will not lower the front by 1". You will only lower it by 1/2". This is because the height of the front end will only be lowered by the amount that the front axle is lowered, and that is only half the amount that the height of the wheel is lowered. Seems to me you would be spending an awful lot of time and money just to drop the front end by 1/2" especially considering that a 1/2" difference will not change the bike's appearance. In fact, (to me) if you put on a front wheel that doesn't match the style of the rear wheel the bike will look like it's been in a wreck. Ed

The goal of fitting an 18" front tire is to get the front and rear diameters the same after the rubber is on. Also I've read that the larger front wheel effects handling. I'd like the bike to be able to corner well.

Riskywhiskey wrote: The goal of fitting an 18" front tire is to get the front and rear diameters the same after the rubber is on. Also I've read that the larger front wheel effects handling. I'd like the bike to be able to corner well.

You need to do more research. The 19" front wheel handles just fine. In fact, Kawasaki used a 18" front wheel on the 1978 KZ1000-Z1R but changed to a 19" front wheel on the 1980 models to improve handling.

If you want the front and rear tires' diameters to look more even you should consider using an 18" rear wheel rather than the 16" that's on there now. The 130/90-16 diameter is 25.2"; the 120/90-18 diameter is 26.5"; the 100/90-19 front tire diameter is 26.1" (see www.rbracing-rsr.com/tirediamcalc.html ). Ed

650ed wrote:

Riskywhiskey wrote: The goal of fitting an 18" front tire is to get the front and rear diameters the same after the rubber is on. Also I've read that the larger front wheel effects handling. I'd like the bike to be able to corner well.

You need to do more research. The 19" front wheel handles just fine. In fact, Kawasaki used a 18" front wheel on the 1978 KZ1000-Z1R but changed to a 19" front wheel on the 1980 models to improve handling.

If you want the front and rear tires' diameters to look more even you should consider using an 18" rear wheel rather than the 16" that's on there now. The 130/90-16 diameter is 25.2"; the 120/90-18 diameter is 26.5"; the 100/90-19 front tire diameter is 26.1" (see www.rbracing-rsr.com/tirediamcalc.html ). Ed

I actually did some more research and realized that it was the rear wheel that I would need to change. I've been looking and found a Kawasaki z500 18" rear wheel. I'm wondering if that would fit.

mjg15 wrote: Use an 18" wheel from a KZ550a (80-83), which is probably a bolt-on, and shorten the forks and inch or so. You can buy GPz550 cables to sort out the cable problem that you have from the handlebar swap.

mjg15 wrote:

mjg15 wrote: Use an 18" wheel from a KZ550a (80-83), which is probably a bolt-on, and shorten the forks and inch or so. You can buy GPz550 cables to sort out the cable problem that you have from the handlebar swap.

So I'm having a real hard time finding that wheel. Would you guys have any leads to obtaining that part?

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationThey come up periodically.
I found this, but I'm not convinced it's 18", even though it says so. Check part numbers and ask to see the size stamp. Unfortunately he will be out of town for a while.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configuration

loudhvx wrote: They come up periodically.
I found this, but I'm not convinced it's 18", even though it says so. Check part numbers and ask to see the size stamp. Unfortunately he will be out of town for a while.

I emailed this seller already last week. It's a 16" rim. this wheel seems pretty hard to come by.

Also would the wheels from a gpz550 be a direct swap?