centering wheels with gs1100e swingarn

Ok I have the gs1100e swingarm and 160/60-17 tire mounted in my kz1000 . I have centered the tire in the swingarm with spacers but my rear and front tire do not line up.The rear tire needs to go to the right 3/4" but BAM tire is going to hit inside the swingarm and then my tire wont look centered with rear fender.Am I missing something?I guess I could move it over 1/2" and then I don't even think I would need a front offset sprocket but I can't figure out why my front and rear tire wont line up.The rim is off a katana 4.5". Any Help, Ideas Thanks.

The guys that have done this swap, Do you have your tire still centered in swingarm after centering your front and rear tire?How much can my tires be off before Ooops!

what are you using to line up the wheels? i cant remember is if the gs arm has more offset on left side for chain/sprocket clearance like some of the newer ones are you using offset sprockets to line up chain,how much offset? this could be part of your problem

The one issue that come to mind, to me anyways, is the Katana rim @ 4.5"

If I remember correctly, for the most part others where using their OEM rims @ 3.5" for direct no modification requirements to the cc sprockets....

You could probably get by with a 1/4" front to rear tire off center (not my ideal choice) with minimum driving issues. :blink: but not 3/4"....

If you're desiring the Katana rim then offset cc sprocket is what you need...

NOTE: @ 3/4", you most probably are going to have chain to frame issues... 1/2" is about the max you can go....

With this in mind, leaves 1/4" to deal with... Have the rear sprocket carrier hub milled down...

The best (ideal operations/safest) solution is keep your tires perfectly centered then design around the chain alignments via offset sprockets/modifications...

Just my two worthless cents....

OMR

to try and centre my rear tire to front tire I am using a chalk line then tried laser level but if I centre the tires evenly my whole tire in the swingarm is off to the right making it look ununiform under my fender, I was thinking on moving my front tire left to accomodate.I still have to order my 530 cc but for the life of me I cant figure out why rear tire and front tire are so far out.

something sounds strange,maybe its just me.is the frame and swingarm straight?

Make sure the rims line up before you worry about the tires.

Spoke wheels?

If your wheels are centered, check the tire. If bead is only seated on one side, it will look like it's offset.

-Duck

Wow do I feel silly.Duck had it right my tire wasn't seated
fully on both sides.Now she is all lined up and I will need a 3/8"s front offset. I am a welder by trade so I figure I will make my own like I've seen on here.A friend of mine (tool and die maker) told me to put the sprocket in the oven at 400 degrees for 2 hours and then after welding it to dunk it in hydraulic fluid to heat treat.I might try that.I also welded clevis like brackets on my stock shocks to give me a little more height and to accomodate the gs1100e swingarm.I appreciate all the feedback and help, thanks again

Just curious, did you have to cut your frame any to accommodate the swingarm? I had to use GS1100 shocks for mine to keep the swingarm from topping out and hitting the exhaust mounting holes in the frame. I've seen people cut the whole section off, and some people have just trimmed it enough for the swingarm to clear. I didn't want to cut my frame, so I used the shorter shocks and it just barely has enough room when it tops out. Glad you got your issue figured out though!

I actually got fed up trying to wedge the swingarm in there with the footpeg brackets in the way so ya I cut them off very neatly and then grinded them down smooth.Then painted while everything was out of the way.Now I would like to find some newer looking aluminum footpegs and fab up a bracket to replace the old ones.If done well you can always weld them back on and you shouldn't be able to even tell they were removed.If I had the gs shocks I would weld approx. 1 1/2" to the clevis for a more uniform standard position.

Gotcha. I actually had to use a porta-power to straighten those brackets, as my bike had been layed down once in the past from what I can tell. I went to stick the swingarm in there and it wasn't close to fitting, then I realized one section of the frame was bent in. You can always weld those brackets back on and space them outwards a bit if you wanted. With a good welder, anything is possible. Anyway, good to see another toad on a kz, haha.

How is that 160 tire working for you? I have a 140 on mine but I have a 5.5 Akront rim so I have plenty of rim left. I also just got my chain on and noticed I have a ton of room between the frame and chain so a 160 would be nice for next year. I'm using a 530 chain with two spacers behind the front sprocket and it seems to be ok but with the 160 I'll plan on using a offset sprocket.