GN250 custom project: Wheels

[KIPS powervalve]

I'm looking out for suggestions on wheels from anyone who has done a custom project...see the GN has similar outer diameter tyres, but the rear rim is 16" and the front is 18". Don't really like the chunky look at the back. I'd like to put an 18" rim on the back. Is it best to find a wheel from a different bike that will bolt straight on? (Scorpio? etc) Maybe re-lace the rear wheel to keep the current hub but find an 18" rim that would fit. I have seen numerous examples online of GNs with either 2 16s or 2 18. I think having the wheels equal sized makes the bike look a little less low end cruiser and a little more refined.

(Note my use of "Custom" and not "Cafe Racer"...I'd like to say I'm working on a cafe but the GN would never do the ton!):scooter:

Before you go and bag on my GN, chances are you have not ridden one that has been lowered, lightened, and adulterated. It is actually a scream to ride and sounds awesome.
:dodge:

[mossy1200]

I'm looking a little more refined.


:dodge:

Alcohol is a wonderful thing.

[TheDemonLord]

Before you go and bag on my GN, chances are you have not ridden one that has been lowered, lightened, and adulterated. It is actually a scream to ride and sounds awesome.
:dodge:

Hahahahaha

Oh, wait?

You are Serious?!?!

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

*Deep Breath*

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

[Kickaha]

Oh, wait?

You are Serious?!?!

Well he's probably like a few of us that aren't stupid enough to think you need a big modern bike with lots of HP to have some fum

[pzkpfw]

Hahahahaha

Oh, wait?

You are Serious?!?!

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

*Deep Breath*

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

My NZ250 was a hoot. Wouldn't have ridden it to Auckland (partly because it was made of rust), but around town it was fun and peppy enough. I can imagine a GN doing the business for someone.

[swarfie]

Well he's probably like a few of us that aren't stupid enough to think you need a big modern bike with lots of HP to have some fum

Yep...A few of us ride slow old pommy things that blow some of ya flash shit off on the right roads :killingme:killingme:lol::niceone:

[nodrog]

Well he's probably like a few of us that aren't stupid enough to think you need a big modern bike with lots of HP to have some fum

Even though my bike is made this century, its still assumed that it has more than double its actual HP.

[awa355]

Gn or ZX14, if someone is prepared to have a go and create something different, then good on him. :first: It takes a lot more skill to change things and can be far more rewarding than to just bolt on aftermarket parts.

There was a GN cafe/bobber type bike on T Me some time ago. It was one of the neatest modified bikes I've seen.

[TheDemonLord]

Well he's probably like a few of us that aren't stupid enough to think you need a big modern bike with lots of HP to have some fum

Depends what kind of Fun you are after really - Me, I have my Dream Bike and it does what I need of it (and more)

[RichardB]

Dude, ignore the shit from people who have nothing better to say. If its fun, do it. Do it heaps.

Re: wheel size change - having re-laced a couple of wheels, its not a huge issue to true a wheel, just takes time. BUT...a set of spokes to lace an 18" rim to your GN hub will set you back the better part of a hundy. Beware of what is available from China/Taiwan only because you need to make sure you get both inner and outer spokes - they differ in neck angle. Think the rear GN hub is same size left and right, but sometimes hubs on front wheels differ in sizes left and right.

I'm into a bobber GN project at the moment. So far have shaved several kilos off the frame, pulled and stripped motor. Taken the time to polish engine internals - made a world of difference in how smoothly things work and slide against each other. Today was a modest head polish - take out the gross casting tags. Not a mirror job but undoubtedly wont make things worse. Pod filter, less restrictive exhaust, carb tune, normal tune up things - plus going to a 16 tooth front and 47 (? not sure about that) rear will change the gearing significantly. Saw an indicated (yeah right!) 135kph (140 downhill hahaha!) on a stock geared pretty sad old GN, so I have hopes that modest engine mods and gearing will bring me closer to the magic ton.

If you do manage a larger diameter rear wheel in there be prepared for some handling differences - will slightly alter rake. On the plus will drop your gearing a bit. Probably easiest to see if an existing 18" wheel will fit within the swingarm - heaps of side room so shouldn't have issues there (unless you try to fit a Harley fat boy rear wheel). Issue will more likely be hub & spacers dimensions. Remember that the rear sprocket needs to align with front - so its not as simple as fitting a hub with the same width. From my point of view I'd say feasible within reason (everything can be made to work with enough $ and time).

Chuck some pics up if you can.

[RichardB]

Gn or ZX14, if someone is prepared to have a go and create something different, then good on him. :first: It takes a lot more skill to change things and can be far more rewarding than to just bolt on aftermarket parts.

There was a GN cafe/bobber type bike on T Me some time ago. It was one of the neatest modified bikes I've seen.

If its the one I am thinking of - yeah, sweet, meticulous look. Not radical but definitely professional looking. Asking price reflected that.

[KIPS powervalve]

BUT...a set of spokes to lace an 18" rim to your GN hub will set you back the better part of a hundy. Where do I start looking? Could I use a GN front rim on the back with new spokes? Thanks for your reply by the way. I'd love to have the patience, skills and tools to strip the engine and polish, resleeve, etc. For now I have put a pod on, open pipe, thought about rejet, but it runs mint without rejetting. Lowered front end 2", repaint, clean the cluster to just the speedo. NEED to sort out that seat though, and the indicators, I'll have to get some good pics up. Oh and the front brake feels like pads are made of mashed potato.

And to all the haters laughing. Laugh. That's what a custom bike is all about. Seriously, the GN is more fun in many ways than my 650 Kwaka, especially on gravel! Definitely makes me laugh. And swear. It sure is more fun actually making things for the bike from complete scratch than buying things that fit right on.

N.B. The photo was taken a few months ago, but apart from the instrument cluster, it is pretty much the same. Work in progress!

[ducatilover]

Hahahahaha

Oh, wait?

You are Serious?!?!

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

*Deep Breath*

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

Mine's okay :innocent:

I have a DR200 rim on mine, but TF125 and TS185s run the same 18 with right pattern on the spokes

[jellywrestler]

There was a GN cafe/bobber type bike on T Me some time ago. It was one of the neatest modified bikes I've seen.

is your other 'Saved Search' seeing eye dogs?

[Drew]

There are quite a few rims that'll just go straight in. Couple mates have laced 17in alloy rims to theirs and 19 up front, but that was to fit MX tyres.

[RichardB]

Awesome seat! Wondering how practical burlap is long term tho.

Could lace up front wheel but rim is awful skinny. Limits width of rear tyre.
If you're going to lace up a wheel check your spoke lengths carefully too. PITA to shorten 36 spokes that are 5mm too long.

[RichardB]

re: front brakes

Strip out master cylinder (dont get brake fluid on paintwork). Clean it out, check cylinder for corrosion/sliding like its supposed to do. Check rotor for scoring - may need surfacing. And of course check pads for uneven wear. New brake fluid and don't skimp on flushing all the old crap and air bubbles out. In my experience the GN disk brake was pretty good.

I've gone old school - wire wheels, drum brakes.

[bingslayer]

Did you all get the SR500 over here in NZ? Man that would make a killer cafe racer. I grew up hooning a road legal XT500 around town, and I miss it like crazy!

[98tls]

Where do I start looking? Could I use a GN front rim on the back with new spokes? Thanks for your reply by the way. I'd love to have the patience, skills and tools to strip the engine and polish, resleeve, etc. For now I have put a pod on, open pipe, thought about rejet, but it runs mint without rejetting. Lowered front end 2", repaint, clean the cluster to just the speedo. NEED to sort out that seat though, and the indicators, I'll have to get some good pics up. Oh and the front brake feels like pads are made of mashed potato.

And to all the haters laughing. Laugh. That's what a custom bike is all about. Seriously, the GN is more fun in many ways than my 650 Kwaka, especially on gravel! Definitely makes me laugh. And swear. It sure is more fun actually making things for the bike from complete scratch than buying things that fit right on.

N.B. The photo was taken a few months ago, but apart from the instrument cluster, it is pretty much the same. Work in progress!

Good for you fella,as someone said earlier ignore all the wank and simply do whatever ever it is that you enjoy doing with anything on two wheels.Correct on the fucking about with things is indeed fun which is what motorcycles are supposed to be about...or used to be:niceone:

[KIPS powervalve]

re: front brakes

Strip out master cylinder (dont get brake fluid on paintwork). Clean it out, check cylinder for corrosion/sliding like its supposed to do. Check rotor for scoring - may need surfacing. And of course check pads for uneven wear. New brake fluid and don't skimp on flushing all the old crap and air bubbles out. In my experience the GN disk brake was pretty good.

I've gone old school - wire wheels, drum brakes.

I have bled the system thoroughly. It had a leak when I bought it, and the poor old previous owner kept topping it up. It was like a self-flushing system! the fluid was waaaaay cleaner than that in my '07 Kwaka. I think the leak was related to a crash damaged/loose banjo, which I tightened up. It no longer leaks fluid, but air seems to be finding a way in. 2 second procedure to release it though. No, what I meant by sort the brakes out it the rotor is (I think!) past serviceability. It's like a glacier has cut its way through it, pretty badly grooved, and possibly too thin to be machined. The pads may be contaminated with DOT4, and I am pretty sure I'm being ripped off for new ones: $50 for cheapo organic ones from the dealerships. Nobody seems to be selling tham online in this country either. I have learned to pretty much use the gears and rear for stopping it, but I'm not sure it'll pass a warrant. Maybe I just need to suck it up, but I'm worried that if I put said new pads on said worn rotor, I'm gonna be back at square 1, but out of pocket some. May import a part, new disks are about $70USD factory direct, pads $9-25, as opposed to $180 locally.

RE the burlap seat cover, it's a coffee sack that I cut up and placed over the existing (waterproof) cover. Bolted it underneath, and used some good old duct tape! Other than fading dramatically, the burlap has held up really well for the 8 or so months it's been on and makes the big ugly seat a bit different. Ultimately I want to refoam it, possibly cut the subframe a bit, make it thinner and shorter

[ducatilover]

There are quite a few rims that'll just go straight in. Couple mates have laced 17in alloy rims to theirs and 19 up front, but that was to fit MX tyres.

That DR250 17er I sent down to you will lace to a GN hub and fit an okay tyre too.
Not as common to find as the TS/TF/DR200 though

[KIPS powervalve]

If I were to but a complete wheel (DR/TF etc) could I just unlace the GN's and use the spokes/rim from the new wheel directly on the GN hub? maybe the angle of the spokes at the hub end will be bent differently than those of the GN's and not fit the GN hub. it's encouraging to hear of a few guys doing it though

[Drew]

That DR250 17er I sent down to you will lace to a GN hub and fit an okay tyre too.
Not as common to find as the TS/TF/DR200 though
That ended up in an SR rear end. Oodles of tyre option there now.

If I were to but a complete wheel (DR/TF etc) could I just unlace the GN's and use the spokes/rim from the new wheel directly on the GN hub? maybe the angle of the spokes at the hub end will be bent differently than those of the GN's and not fit the GN hub. it's encouraging to hear of a few guys doing it though
Bugger lacing an 18 in there, when you can adapt any number of whole wheels with minimal faffing about...though a spoked alloy looks fully fucken sick.

[ducatilover]

You'll need custom length spokes, or find something off the shelf to fit

[ducatilover]

That ended up in an SR rear end. Oodles of tyre option there now.

.

Burnouts?

:devil2:

[Drew]

You'll need custom length spokes, or find something off the shelf to fitWe are lucky enough to be mates with a bike wrecker. So they hunted through hundreds of spokes to get what they needed.


Burnouts?

:devil2:
The nobblies are useless for burnouts. They just turn to dust.

[RichardB]

It's like a glacier has cut its way through it, pretty badly grooved, and possibly too thin to be machined. The pads may be contaminated with DOT4, and I am pretty sure I'm being ripped off for new ones

RE the burlap seat cover, it's a coffee sack that I cut up and placed over the existing (waterproof) cover. Bolted it underneath, and used some good old duct tape! Other than fading dramatically, the burlap has held up really well for the 8 or so months it's been on and makes the big ugly seat a bit different. Ultimately I want to refoam it, possibly cut the subframe a bit, make it thinner and shorter

Forget about new pads until you deal with the rotor. Gouged rotor will fuck pads in a couple of seconds. Likely both pads and disc contaminated with DOT4 - the combination makes effective braking like sex in a concrete mixer - it ain't gonna happen.

Re: seat - I had very satisfactory results shortening and re-configuring my seat pan to look solo bobber style. Still same width but solo short. Bolts up to rear shock mounts. Not ready to recover until I make sure everything under seat fits - and will lop off excess frame rails. Arrgh shit- trouble trying to get the right pics uploaded - will post when I can.

I have an impressive pile of shit that has no place on my bike now and FA needed to replace the essential stuff (rear light, licence plate, turn signals). Still mulling over ideas on that.

[RichardB]

Sorry -hijacking your thread with my build. See my build thread for more pics.

[KIPS powervalve]

Sorry -hijacking your thread with my build. See my build thread for more pics.

Not at all, I love seeing what others are doing. The rear rim in you bobber doesn't look stock, am I right? I want to go for more of a scrambler look, so the seat won't be solo necessarily, also the rear guard will be larger, but that's the idea of a custom build aye, doing what you like yourself without having to give a rat's ass for what others think. I like the semi-knobbly tyre look and I don't think they come in 16"

[KIPS powervalve]

Hey Mr B, did you check the regulator/rectifier? My bro had a Hyosung that would never start, kept draining the battery, even a new one. Never found out what was causing it for sure. BUUUTTTT It was really easy to roll start. Then one day it wasn't. Turns out the current spike from roll starting it fried the CDI unit ($800) and the reg/rec ($450). I thought it may have been an exposed wire touching the frame, but perhaps more likely it was the reg/rec itself grounding more than it should have been. From what you have explained on another thread, it sounds unlikely that this is the problem, but as you say, most of the rest of the system you have eliminated

[RichardB]

Someone earlier suggested maybe a cracked magnet or two in starter. Might allow it to spin freely under no load but have no go power when trying to crank an engine. Yet to check out.

[ducatilover]

Hey Mr B, did you check the regulator/rectifier? My bro had a Hyosung that would never start, kept draining the battery, even a new one. Never found out what was causing it for sure. BUUUTTTT It was really easy to roll start. Then one day it wasn't. Turns out the current spike from roll starting it fried the CDI unit ($800) and the reg/rec ($450). I thought it may have been an exposed wire touching the frame, but perhaps more likely it was the reg/rec itself grounding more than it should have been. From what you have explained on another thread, it sounds unlikely that this is the problem, but as you say, most of the rest of the system you have eliminated

You got ripped on prices :(

[KIPS powervalve]

You got ripped on prices :(
Which is the problem of bike shops in NZ. He went direct to Hyosung in Korea and got both parts landed for about $250 or 300. And a Korean "gift" (Christmas tree decoration or similar)

[PrincessBandit]

Before you go and bag on my GN, chances are you have not ridden one that has been lowered, lightened, and adulterated. It sounds awesome.
:dodge:


Hahahahaha

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

*Deep Breath*

Mine sounded freakin' awesome when it spat it's baffle out the back coming down the Bombays. It sounded like a growed up bike!

[FROSTY]

Kips-I'd like to suggest that where possible don't try to reinvent the wheel.
Im NOT dissing your project for a second but what I am saying is to look into whats already available sitting on the shelf.
Just off the top of my head what about Honda RS250 wheels. or Volty wheels
The Honda ones particularly had nice alloy rims with spoke wheels.

[awa355]

Mine sounded freakin' awesome when it spat it's baffle out the back coming down the Bombays. It sounded like a growed up bike!

I rented one off Road & Sport back in 1986. Went touring on it. Did everything that got asked of it. If they were still available from Japan at a good price, they would sell like hotcakes.

Desert road 1985.
http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w420/awa355/86%20trip%202.jpg