18 inch wheel question

Before I have my front wheel laced and put back together, I was thinking of switching to a 18 inch front wheel. I found a 18 inch rear wheel from a kz400 for cheap and would just have the rim powdercoated to match the rear wheel and have it laced up to use on the front. The wheel is 18x3.5 and I think that is the same width as the 19 inch wheel I have now. Since I'm using a suzuki rear wheel I want the least amount of difference between the two wheels as possible.(The rotors are my biggest issue) Anyone ever do this? I'm not concerned about handling issues as I don't ride fast enough to notice any difference and I'm a straight line guy.

im running a pair of 18" on my bike.
but they have been on so long now i don't really remember the feel difference, i think it turns in quicker but your not looking to do to much of that.

Not sure but that sounds a little wide for a front rim.
Mark

Agree w/Mark. If memory serves, stock 19 rim was about 2.5 going a full inch on rim width could lead to tire/fender clearance issues. Luck G

gane wrote:

Agree w/Mark. If memory serves, stock 19 rim was about 2.5 going a full inch on rim width could lead to tire/fender clearance issues. Luck G

ditto...for the work you would do ..you may not notice much....the 19 is a drag getting new tires for but kinda cool for going straight...and the rear 18 is too wide it will spread the tire into the fender bolts..my 2 cents

Kawasaki never used a 3.5" wheel on a KZ400, thats for sure. Maybe it's a 2.5"? That should work just fine. Stock front is 2.15" I think on the 19" wheel.

My 1982 KZ650 CSR has a 19" front spoked wheel. It is only 1.85" wide. Tire size is 100/90-19. In my opinion, this wheel is too narrow for the tire.

I would like to have an alloy front wheel that is perhaps 2.5 to 3" wide, whether it be a 19", 18" or whatever. Does anybody know of a stock Kawasaki wheel like this?

Most of the early 19" rims were 1.85 and the MKII is 2.15 front and rear. The 78 Z1-R came stock with an 18" front wheel. I had one of those widened to 3.5" for the front to go with my modified 6x17 rear wheel. Seems to work well - no complaints with the 18" front. The stock fender won't look right, so you'll have to find another one made for an 18" wheel.

RonKZ650 wrote:

Kawasaki never used a 3.5" wheel on a KZ400, thats for sure. Maybe it's a 2.5"? That should work just fine. Stock front is 2.15" I think on the 19" wheel.

I just heard back from the guy and said the tire on it was a 3.5x18 so I'm guessing the rim is a 2.5. I'll go ahead and get and see if it works before I spend all the money on having the 19 inch laced and trued. If anything I'll only be out about $20.

79MKII wrote:

Most of the early 19" rims were 1.85 and the MKII is 2.15 front and rear. The 78 Z1-R came stock with an 18" front wheel. I had one of those widened to 3.5" for the front to go with my modified 6x17 rear wheel. Seems to work well - no complaints with the 18" front. The stock fender won't look right, so you'll have to find another one made for an 18" wheel.

I already have the plstic front fender that I cut down to use with my other bike for racing. I had a 18 on the front of that bike. Should look pretty sweet.

I just found a chart that states that the 3.25-3.5 tire is the same width as the 100/90. Sounds like I'll be ok with using the rim.

Now I'm hoping to be able to use a 110/80/18 on the front. There are a ton of them and I want to match the battlax rear I have. The new rim is on it's way and should be here next week. For now I think I'll run out and hold the old rear wheel up in the front end to see if it fits. Maybe I'll have to switch to phillips head bolts for the front fender for a little more room?