Widening Stock GS1150 Wheels?

[Elimax]

Hi all:

I hope everyone is doing okay out there.

I have a question for you:  Do any of you know of a reputable place/person who can safely widen the stock GS1150 rear wheel?  I'm hoping to get my rear wheel widened to accept a 160-170 width rear tire.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks very much!

Elimax

[TonyGee]

WHAT !!!!!!    is it a 17inch ? 

[Gixer1460]

24 minutes ago, TonyGee said:

WHAT !!!!!!    is it a 17inch ? 

What has the diameter got to do with the request?

Personally, I wouldn't try reworking a near 40 yr old Japanese cast alloy wheel if my life depended on it!

[TonyGee]

39 minutes ago, Gixer1460 said:

What has the diameter got to do with the request?

the question was IF he did find someone daft enough who could do the job and its an 18 inch his tyre choice would be limited,  is that ok by you ? 

[bitzz]

No "reputable" shop would accept the liability of welding a motorcycle wheel

[Elimax]

Thanks for the replies...I was referring to the width of the wheel, not the diameter of the wheel.  For instance:  The stock rear wheel takes a 130/90V17 tire, and I was considering getting the wheel widened to it could take a 160/55V17 tire, so that the rear of the bike looked more modern.

But since it seems unsafe (per bitzz) I'll leave it alone.

Elimax

[wraith]

Seen (a long time ago) some gsxr rims welded to shaft drive wheel hubs but who did it I don't know, anything can be done but I would expect it to be more money than it would be worth.

Why not do the wheel swap bit, cheeper and much safer. B6 or early gsxr (4.5") wheels will go in.

Edited August 29, 2022 by wraith

[rodneya]

Back in the 80's there were some guys that would cut up two Kat wheels on a big lathe and weld it all back together for a wider tire, but after say what now!? wheels became available that became the way to go.

I suppose there were less liability issues back then as well as wheel options.

[Duckndive]

I think Steelheart have done one offs in the past....

But on an efe easier to fit a wider wheel from a newer bike 

[clivegto]

Seen it done on modern wheels but not older ones. 

[eddiegsx]

53 minutes ago, wraith said:

Seen (a long time ago) some gsxr rims welded to shaft drive wheel hubs but who did it I don't know, anything can be done but I would expect it to be more money than it would be worth.

 

@wraithIf you're refering to certain z1300 rear wheels from way back I can confirm that you weren't seeing things, personally I think the old standard wheels with widened rims would look quite trick, after all we all try to keep our bikes different so I'm with @Elimax

[slayer61]

On this side of the pond Sandy Kosman did wheel widening in the past. He's gone now RIP Sandy. 

He did one for me in the late 80s or early 90s. Took my 16 x 3 or whatever Kaw wheel & made it 17 x 6 

[arnout]

If your pockets are deep enough you can send your wheel to Germany: https://www.deget.de/product-category/felgenverbreiterung-georg-deget/

[Elimax]

I'm partial to the looks of the stock GS1150 wheels...I just wish the rear was wider to be able to take wider tires, like 160s-170s.

[Isleoman]

I'll agree that there are limited choices for radials in 18" dia. but for those looking Bridgestone T32  are very good sport /touring tires and available in 140 and 160 width. 

https://www.denniskirk.com/bridgestone/battlax-t32-sport-touring-tire.pfp546364.prdf

 

I'd try to convert to 17"     

 

 

[Gixer1460]

8 hours ago, Isleoman said:

I'll agree that there are limited choices for radials in 18" dia. but for those looking Bridgestone T32  are very good sport /touring tires and available in 140 and 160 width. 

https://www.denniskirk.com/bridgestone/battlax-t32-sport-touring-tire.pfp546364.prdf

I'd try to convert to 17" 

Well according to the OP - 

Quote

For instance:  The stock rear wheel takes a 130/90V17 tire, and I was considering getting the wheel widened to it could take a 160/55V17 tire, so that the rear of the bike looked more modern.

It is a 17" already? So who is right?

[Jonny]

It used to be called 'banding' - cos you put a band of metal in. I had a set of 'banded' wheels on a VW years ago, but they made them illegal on the road sometime in the 90s I think.

[Gixer1460]

Banding is piss easy with steel wheels - still done with UK stock cars and other eccentric type sports - trials for example but a cast alloy wheel ? ? ? Nah!

[cnap504]

Kosman here in the states did a bunch of them way back when, probably not any more tho

[johnr]

didnt the gsxr1100  slabby have a very similar spoke pattern to the efe but an inch wider rim? might that be an option to get a wider tyre but similar look onto the bike?

[coombehouse]

1 hour ago, johnr said:

didnt the gsxr1100  slabby have a very similar spoke pattern to the efe but an inch wider rim? might that be an option to get a wider tyre but similar look onto the bike?

Slabby wheels are 18 inch I think

Edited September 3, 2022 by coombehouse

[johnr]

22 minutes ago, coombehouse said:

Slabby wheels are 18 inch I think

ah well. worth a guess.

[busa1300]

3 hours ago, johnr said:

didnt the gsxr1100  slabby have a very similar spoke pattern to the efe but an inch wider rim? might that be an option to get a wider tyre but similar look onto the bike?

The 86/87 GSXR1100 had 18x4 which would work great with a 160 tire....near exact same spoke design.

The 85/87 GSXR750 had a 18x3.5, but either will go into the swingarm with no problem....might have to get a different sprocket hub though for chain alignment. (GS500)

 

Or check this place out

https://www.custommetalspinning.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=wheelwidening

Edited September 4, 2022 by busa1300

[Captain Chaos]

I seem to remember some early '90s Triumphs had 17" rear wheels that look similar to EFE ones, but wider.

[dupersunc]

Modifying alloy wheels used to be a common practice, but since the advent of cheap wider oem wheels its not a common practice any more.

No problem in theory doing it, but you'll need another rear wheel to cut up and donate rim sections.  The work won't be cheap.

Concept racing gave done vw car wheels in the past, which were polished finish.

Another option is to go to someone like Taylormade. If there is material in the right place,you can get rim machined off and drill holes to mount a spun alloy rims.

Edited September 4, 2022 by dupersunc