FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANTED TO SEE THE D&D"S

  • Thread starter Thread starter ARCHIVE_COPPERAXE
  • Start date Start date
A

ARCHIVE_COPPERAXE

Guest
new member, tire question

I'm new to this forum. This past week I became a Eliminator owner again after repurchasing the '86 ZL900 that I sold 13 years ago. It is such a relief to say it is mine again instead of "I used to have one."
My question today is, how wide of a tire will clear the drive shaft? I realize the fender, shocks, and stock rear wheel are potential obstacles. Going with a wider tire is one of the only mods I'm interested in besides a jet kit and slip-ons.
 
Tire

I dont like the 200 though, looks like a donut.
170 is fat or phat enough. Just my .02 Matty
 
Copperaxe,
When I did some research on this for my ZL1000 rear tyre, the widest tyre I found that came nearest to the original tyres ride height/circumference was a 180/70-15 and the Bridgestone Exedra G702 was just one available. However this tyre is not recommended for the ZL’s 4” rim, nor could I find any other manufacturers 180/70 suitable for a 4” rim. The problem I had without a recommend rim fit was that here in Oz the insurance companies will wipe their hands of a claim if they discover a tyre fitted but not recommended by the manufacturer/dealer for any given rim size. Choice is yours of course.

Have you tried the Tire Section Calculator (developed by Aaron Bohnen. Email: [email protected]). This will allow you to compare different profile and how they’ll affect your ride height, geometry and speed calculations (speedo readings are affected by the front tyre only)? I can e-mail you a copy of the .xls if you like.
 
The 200 takes a wider rim (for proper fit on the rim), correct? What other mods are required? Does it fit in a stock fender, etc? Have there been bikes using a different rear wheel to mount a 200/ 17? I realize that to change wheels it would require extra fitting to mesh with the shaft drive hub.
Thanks
 
If you look around, there's a few people who have put a Mean Streak wheel on the Eli'. Infact, there's a picture of one on this website if you look for it. I'm not sure who it is. I believe the Mean Streak wheel is a 5.5" x 17". You can also get your wheel widened and/ or increased to a 16" by someone like "Kosman". (www.kosman.net).
 
I`m waiting on a Meanstreak to turn up for auction,
something burnt or submerged so it`ll be cheap.
I will probably use the rear wheel and entire frontend
to improve the braking on the ZL12.
 
I've often flirted with the same idea. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult. I would think the back wheel bolts right up w some minor adjustments to the rear break. The front would just be a matter of modifying the steiring stem like any other front end up-fit. I think I've desided though, to stick with the forks I've already put on my Eli' and go with widening and expanding my rear wheel. Good luck!!
 
What I`m aiming for is better brakes,I haven`t ridden it
yet but I know it`s gonnna need em.
And the newer forks should make a better ride too.
I`ve got some ZRX 12 rear shocks I`m gonna try and mod to fit
the ZL also.
I`m working on it today,still waiting on the headpipes.
Sent em to Ct. for the jetcoating and the guys got the typical
spring overload of work.
 
When I first baught my ZL900 with it's stalk forks and wheel I had a problem w/ locking up the front wheel under real heavy breaking or on white cross walk lines. Scared the piss out of me every time! I could also feel alot of "mush" in deap corners. I couldn't say enough how much the ZX11 forks I put on the front has made a HUGE difference in all areas!! So I'm sure a some from a Mean Streak would probably do even better. I've also got a set of rear shocks from a CB1000 that I haven't gotten around to puting on yet, similer to the ones on a ZRX. I figured it was worth a try to see if it would stiffen it up a bit in the rear end.
 
The 290kg Mean Streak is 46kgs heavier than the ZL1000's 244kg (ZL's front = 123kg/271lb, rear = 148kg/326lb). Assuming a similar front/rear split on the Mean Streak, I would have thought not only lighter springs but also lighter damping would be in order before they would work on a ZL1000/ZL1200.

I like the idea though and was thinking how these upgrades will be fantastic when they're introduced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries on the 2006 model ZL1200. ZRX1200 motor but with fuel injection; Mean Streak front/rear ends incl. tyres and brakes, instruments, switch gear; a much larger tank interchangeable on the '87 and an up rated exhaust system in the same style as the '87's and also interchangeable). Guys, let us all know when any of you see it at the motorcycle shows while Kawasaki do their market evaluation.
 
That's the nicest set of aftermarkets i've seen, but I think that these bikes NEED twin mufflers to look right. I could live with twin pipes like that if I couldn't find originals.

KK
 
The clearance leaves alittle to be desired, But the performance is second to none. I never hit anything with the bottom but it looks alittle lower than it is, it's the collector that fools ya, there is about 8" under that pipe. It out does the Walker setup by far (in my opinion) in power gain.
A couple of people were asking so I was just bein neighborly.
 
Kawasaki-krazy said:
That's the nicest set of aftermarkets i've seen, but I think that these bikes NEED twin mufflers to look right. ..............
KK
Click to expand...

I also vote for the twin cans......on most all bikes
 
LOOKING GOOD ! :) I also have a D&D 4 into 1 on my zl900, but i have to admit, i like the look & sound of the stock pipes, but the 4 into 1 was already on my bike when i bought her! " NICE BIKE ! take care of her ! CHRIS
 
Mark, you have to hit hard with the Kawachem and then plasti-shine. Does a nice job on it. Thanks for the compliments fellas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top