HELP AGAIN

  • Thread starter Thread starter ARCHIVE_leeddogs
  • Start date Start date
A

ARCHIVE_leeddogs

Guest
Tire size AGAIN!!!

Thank you everyone for all the info you put up here, really helps us newbies.

Everytime someone asks the question regarding rear tire size, the replies vary so differntly its hard to figure out what everyones OPINION is.

I thought Id try to ask the question a different way:

What is the biggest LOOKING tire you can put on the rear of an 85 zl900?
For example a 200 may shrink up horizontally due to small rim diameter so what tire would look the biggest on the rear without any mods?

Thanks again guys.
 
The thing here is, when you put a 200 on, the beads are pulled in, that will raise the tire height. In my opinion, the Avon 170 "looks" the baddest and the beefiest on the ass of an Eli. This will definitly be my next set of tires!
 
Like Wuputt said a 170 or 180 is the Most you want to Go, Avon makes the 170 Venom X and Metzler the ME 180, Venom is a Lot Softer Compound than the ME , Sticks Like **** to TP Though, You will Probaly get Twice The Milage From The ME[ Unless you Burnout at Every Stoplight, Right Brian :D :D :D :twisted: , Later Rocky
 
I too have been down this road, and I’d still like to fit a wider tyre, but…

Be careful when considering going down the path of fitting wide tyres not recommended a narrow rim. In addition to what Wupputt said, when the sidewalls are pulled in the tyre’s tread profile will change. Unlike a car tyre where the basically the entire tread width will remain in contact with the road, when a bike tyres sidewall is pulled in the radius of the tread will be reduced which makes for a smaller footprint in contact with the road. This reduced footprint reduces traction and gives rise to tyre wear. Generally speaking, the flatter the tread the greater the footprint and traction. Of course there is a compromise here because the if the tread is too ‘flat’ then the contact point will move so far off center during cornering so as to negatively effect handling.

Remember having a wider tyre may look the part but the only part of the tyre that will work for you at any given time is the bit that is in touch with mother earth. To get the best traction and wear characteristics we need to increase the tyre’s footprint, not the width (car or motorcycle).

I post this reply just too add some thoughts that seam to be overlooked every time this discussion comes around. I don’t mean to cause further heartache, sorry… :wink:
 
Oh…I see now, I’m having severe problems with my throttle hand all weekend long, and bobble head, perched precariously on Wupput’s bike as a passenger, is thinking my burnouts were deliberate…shame on you Rocky, it’s a debilitating and somewhat temporary disability that just happened to come out of remission in Mid-Ohio, luckily it’s back in remission, for now… :arrow: :oops:
 
Fitting the wrong size tyre (ie not recommended by the manufacturer) may also have implications for your insurance if the worst occurs and there is an accident.

KK
 
Are there aftermarket rims for the ELI or do you have to have them custom made?
 
Just about any (shaft driven) vulcan wheel should fit with little trouble, including the 17" meanstreak wheel. Non are specifically made for the Eliminator though. Another option is the weld-up wheel.
 
parts

Not that I will do this but, if the 17" vulcan would fit on the Eli, would it be any better as far road handling or bike performance? How wide (compared to the Eli) is the Vulcan rim and what size tire would fit on that rim and inside the Eli frame?

Just curious,
 
You know, it's too bad the picture posts are down because there's someone here on this site who has done it and could tell you all about it. None the less realy, funtionally the only benefit is being able to mount sticky Z-rated radials on it and the feedback you would get from it. It dosn't change how wide of a tire you can mount on the Eli' though, (the swing arm is only so wide). I know that with the stock rim or a 17" rim a lot of people run 180's on the rear. With the stock rim people have gone so far as to put a ME880 200/70-15 on, but I believe that's only because the narrowness of the Eli' wheel pulls the section width of the tire in a little. I know that the stock Eli' wheel is 4.5" wide and I believe the Mean Streak wheel is 5.5" wide. Stock the Mean Streak comes with a 170 on the rear. I've often flirted with the idea of going with a Mean Streak wheel, but have finally decided to have My stock wheel widened so I can keep a little more stock look to it and because I like the look of a beefy tire on the rear.
 
parts

A full one inch diff is quite a lot in width but to have your rear tire widened on a 15" rim has got to cost quite a bit but would be interesting anyway. Let all of us know what happens with this. I wouldn't mind going wider but from what most of the guys say it a win lose sit and I will stick with stok until I hear otherwise or maybe 170. :lol:
 
Right now I have an IRC WF 170/80-15 with plenty of clearance and no complaints! Actually, it's my second one and have been pleased with it's overall handleing and response. I have yet to try the ME880 though.
This winter I plan to put her up and do a complete makeover starting with a teardown and paint, (black of course.) Call me crazy, or stupid, but I would like to widen the wheel, modify the swing arm and mount an Avon 230/60-15 on it. As far as I can tell at this point from doing some meassurements the wheel needs to be widened 1 to 1-1/2" and the swing arm just less than 1" for the "monster" to fit. I need a full 9" of clearance. :twisted: I figure if I go through with the whole thing and dispite all efforts it doesn't work I can take advantage of the full width of the ME880 200/70-15. I figure with that and a ZRX motor it will be once nasty ride!! (or a big flop). But in the end still look distinctly like an Eliminator.
 
JUST COME OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH MORE BAD NEWS ,THE THROTTLE SWITCH GEAR IS CRACKED WITH BITS OF PLASTIC MISSING ,SO WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ON THE BARS HAS NO PISTON IN IT(NOW I KNOW WHY THE NEW LEVERS WERE NEVER MOUNTED) SO DOES ANYONE A HAVE SPARES OR B KNOW OF ANOTHER KWAK THAT USES THE SAME SWITCH GEAR. I`M GUTTED NOW, :pale: :pale: ANDY
 
SORRY ANDY ! :pale: i'll try to help you out by asking a few friends in my biking community here ! maybe we can find something ! CHRIS
 
Spares

Hi
I see that you live in the UK (observant me) there is a motorcycle breakers that is in Devon that is breaking a Zl900 at the moment (I just bought the forks, The guys name is Kev give him a ring on 0136473920 hope this helps, and good luck :dancingfool:
 
Hi Rogue, you're missing a digit on that phone number. nearly rang it before I realised.
 
Sorry mate i will correct that now it is 0136473920 I know it looks as though it is wrong but I just rang it and it is ok , the company is South devon motorcycle services and they also have a web site. Hope this helps
 
THANKS TROOPER AND ADAM THAT NUMBER WAS FOR ME DON`T PINCH ME PARTS (IF YOU GET MY DRIFT NOT PRIVATE PARTS) I`LL JUST SHUT UP NOW.... ANDY :dancingfool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top