17 inch front wheel on a 650?

[Doc44]

Has anyone ever heard of or seen a 17 inch front wheel on a 650 Katana? Maybe a gsx550 or 750 wheel? Just thinking.......

[johnr]

not sure the 550 had a 17 incher did it? why do you want to fit one?

[fossie]

GSX 550/750 were 16"
As John said why do you wish to change it.? Wider tyre choice, this would make the steering too quick surely, the 650 is a planted stable machine, also changing design of front wheel would be difficult to replicate at the rear with being a shaft and the drive being part of it.

[Doc44]

You are right, think they were 16 inchers actually. Just thinking of looks as well as tyre choice, in my opinion the larger katanas with 19 inch wheels don't look half as good as the ones with smaller front wheels. Some good rubber available for 17 inchers too and would no doubt improve the handling. It would probably quicken the steering but just a case of getting used to it.

Had non standard 17 inch wheels on my previous V-max, also a shaftie, which made a massive improvement to the handling as well as giving the option of more modern tyres.

Just trying to think of a front wheel that sort of matches the spoke pattern, is 17 inch, and could possibly fit? Maybe none do and that's why it hasn't been done???

[fossie]

You could try looking for a VX800 Suzuki. Water cooled v twin from 90's.

[Doc44]

Think VX800's are single disc, the spoke pattern is quite different too. Was thinking more along the gsx line but there may well be other possibilities.

[pete650kat]

I managed to get a us 3 spoke rear wheel and a gsxr750 slabside 18" front which worked visually but I tried to mate it to a srad600 front end. I had the 650 stem pressed into the srad yokes so it gave me 45mm front forks but gave up after a while and bought a 19" us front. I think the us wheels look better than the star pattern but its all personal choice. if anyone wants the yokes for £30 ive still got them. they have a flat top yoke so you can drill for riser/fatbars etc. then find yourself some srad forks cheap on flebay?

[johnr]

look up a guy who posted here and on oss, under the poster name 'wraith' he fitted a single sided read end from a honda onto his shafty gs and then a 17 inch front end to match, it looked pretty awesome to be honest, im surprised more folk didnt do the same mod.