GPZ 5 spoke rims

I have two front wheels, their both the same style and width except one is 19" the others 18" .
Is there any reason to use one over the other

Heres a picture of the style, this one isnt mine but i looks better than any of my pics

Wozza wrote: I have two front wheels, their both the same style and width except one is 19" the others 18" .
Is there any reason to use one over the other

For one thing Kawasaki designed the bikes steering characteristics around a specific wheel size. A 19" wheel will steer slower than an 18 so Kawasaki adjusted the frame/forks characteristics accordingly.

Secondly, the fender is positioned in such a way to accommodate the specified wheel size.

If you don't care how Kawasaki designed the chassis, and you are going to mod the forks/fender, then choose which ever wheel aligns with your sensibilities.

If I have my facts straight the GPz550 ran a 19" front wheel. If you fit an 18" it will lower the front of the bike, which will make the steering head angle effectively less and could lead to instability at speed. the profile of the tire would also likely not follow the profile of the front fender and may look weird. All these things could likely be got round by lowering the rear etc. etc. but I would go with the wheel that is the correct size for that bike. Kawasaki originally put an 18" on the front of the Z1R, but found that didn't work well for stability and went back to the 19". I wouldn't change the wheel size from stock unless there was a good reason in terms of my overall build that required me to do so.

Yeah makes sense. Might try both and see what i like , I only picked up on the difference by the fender gap on the gpz 550 i have.

Any one know what model used the 18, ive had no luck

Look at the parts fishe, various years and bike models, in the TIRES tab, if you want to know what size wheels the various bikes used. www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/parts.html

I know the '83 GPz750 used an 18" front, and other models/year bikes as well, I just don't know all the various applications (and I'm too lazy to look them up).

II spent a couple of hours searching the filch/ net and gave up. Then today i removed the tyre and found the answer :laugh: