16" front wheel?

Are there any 16" front wheels that would replace the 19" on a 76kz900 ltd?

I think some of the Gpz600/900 had a 16" front rim but I don't think your stock forks are going to be wide enough to fit the rim in. What's the reasoning behind you wanting a 16" front rim?

Later, Doug

Don't know about Jimbo but I was after a 16" front because I like the way it looks.

a lot of guys that had 16 inch front tires got to look at em .....real close..... as they slid by the bike on their stomach coming out of corners.:laugh: :woohoo: beware the 16" fronts...and any emergency brake grabs

trianglelaguna wrote:

a lot of guys that had 16 inch front tires got to look at em .....real close..... as they slid by the bike on their stomach coming out of corners.:laugh: :woohoo: beware the 16" fronts...and any emergency brake grabs

The smaller wheel doesn't work well with the geometry of the bike?

less straight line stability and eratic transitions...a tendency to tuck and wash out entering corners on the brakes....it is all relative...i mean a proper set up 16 worked into the front end as opposed to a sucky 19 set up would still be better.....the big four tried this on models in the 80's to help with side to side quick transitions ....then went back to 18 then settled on 17's for most bikes today..
our bikes ..rake/frames/engines/wheelbases/and traction requirements...were designed for a straight line stability and can corner ok ,given a second to roll up and over in transition.....many frame kits back in the day were actually a step backwards from a stock lay out... even though they "looked" cool....early 73-82 kz's seem better suited to 19 and 18 tires.....on a stock front that is...the pay off to a switch in rim size up front..is a big bit of work in most casses...not just a rim switch and fender mount change.....imo

16" didn't work even on a motorcycle designed for it. I had a Honda interceptor back in 1983 with the 16" and was extremely lucky to have not crashed it. Very unforgiving. One speck of oil under it or gravel and you're in deep shit. Stay 19"

I put a 18 on mine and with the longer gs arm the thing rides smooth as glass and handles a lot better.

donthekawguy wrote:

I put a 18 on mine and with the longer gs arm the thing rides smooth as glass and handles a lot better.

An 18" front? or do you mean the 18" rear, I assume? If so where did you get your wheel? Was it a direct fit?

i think the cop bikes had 18 in fronts - you can check ebay for one. and if im not mistaken they are a tad wider as well

After considering 18" wheels, I went with 17" ones on my '73 Z1-900. I like the improved handling, braking, and feel the 17" radial tires provide.

Jimbo302 wrote:

donthekawguy wrote:

I put a 18 on mine and with the longer gs arm the thing rides smooth as glass and handles a lot better.

An 18" front? or do you mean the 18" rear, I assume? If so where did you get your wheel? Was it a direct fit?

I got an 18 inch excell up front and a 18x5.5 inch akront in the rear. I got the front from buchanons and the rear off ebay.