Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

  • austin3119
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Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

10 Feb 2007 11:04
#111374
I'm just wondering what is the widest rear tire you can go in a stock swingarm in a 1976 KZ900. Also would you need a wider rim?

I would really like a 160, but I'm sure you have to go with an extended swingarm to make that work.

Thanks guys.

Post edited by: austin3119, at: 2007/02/10 14:09

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  • RetroRiceRocketRider
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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

10 Feb 2007 11:24
#111380
With the stock wheel/rim and swingarm, I'm pretty sure a 130 (or 140 depending on brand and profile) is about the max width you can install without rubbing and wheel/rim fitment issues.

I'm running a 130/90-18 Dunlop GT501 on my '78 KZ650 and have no issues with it (aside from having to cut a small "V" shaped notch at the top of the plastic chain guard), and I believe the 900's/1000's should be fairly similar.
Covina, So Calif!
78 KZ650-B2 = SOLD
84 ZN700 LTD = SOLD
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89 GSX1100F Katana = SLEEPING :-/
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  • wireman
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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

10 Feb 2007 14:37
#111397
130mm is safe;)

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  • Bad Kaw
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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

10 Feb 2007 16:51
#111419
wireman wrote:
130mm is safe;)

Yes. I agree. I have a 140 installed on my Z1Rs stock rear wheel and it looks like total ass b/c it's "bowed" around the wheel. Back in the day when I thought that bigger was better just as long as I could get it to bead up I put the thing on and some other drama developed and it has sat for a few years, but the 140 is waaaaaay to much and looks stupid. :blush:
78 Kawasaki Z1R
81 Kawasaki KZ1000J (mods)
82 Kawasaki ELR Clone (1000 J)
82 Kawasaki KZ750R1/GPz750 ELR-ed
70 Kawasaki KV75
83 Honda CB1100F (few mods)
79 Suzuki GS1000 (rolling frame / project / junk)
84 Suzuki GS1150ES (modified project)
83 Yamaha XJ900R (project / junk)

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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

10 Feb 2007 16:56
#111421
130 on a dropped center 16" harley rim used to be the hot ticket for filling up stock arm;)

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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

10 Feb 2007 17:46
#111428
Yeah, that 140 sure took all the space out of the arm, but it was worthless in the handling department...like the Z1R needed another excuse to try to spit me off.:laugh:
78 Kawasaki Z1R
81 Kawasaki KZ1000J (mods)
82 Kawasaki ELR Clone (1000 J)
82 Kawasaki KZ750R1/GPz750 ELR-ed
70 Kawasaki KV75
83 Honda CB1100F (few mods)
79 Suzuki GS1000 (rolling frame / project / junk)
84 Suzuki GS1150ES (modified project)
83 Yamaha XJ900R (project / junk)

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  • austin3119
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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

12 Feb 2007 18:01
#111954
Thanks for the help guys. Appreciated as always!

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  • studiodunn
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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

04 Jun 2007 16:25
#146277
hello kz brothers.....and were off

I've been contemplating this route myself. The rim is cheap and from my measurments it would gain about .5" of tire space. Should also help the stance of the bike as i am planning on going down an 1" or so.

anyone got any horror stories on doing this?

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  • studiodunn
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Re: Stock Swingarm / Widest Rear Tire?

04 Jun 2007 16:26
#146278
double post

Post edited by: studiodunn, at: 2007/06/05 13:34

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