Rear wheel size

[jdsmithinc]

I have a 79 special that has a 17" rear wheel. I also have another 79 that has a 16" rear wheel (parts bike). The 16" wheel looks a whole lot better shape than my 17" wheel. I was wondering if the 16" will work on my good bike and what problems I can expect. I would like to use the 16 due to it lowering the bike just a little and it also has a brand new tire on it. Another thing I would like to do is to use the 2 into 1exhaust off of the parts bike as it flares out to the sides. My good bike has the megaphone style 2 into 1. Both sets have the baffles in them. If I take the baffles out what can I expect? Thanks, Joe.

[psycoreefer]

I'm new here but I've been doing a lot of reading and from what I've read the 16" rear tire was "stock" on the specials, so you shouldn't have any trouble putting it on because the bike was designed for it. not sure about the exhaust, id think that if it fits the parts bike it ought to fit the good one to.

[TopCatGr58]

JD,

Psyco is right, the stock special IS 16". A PO must have swapped it out for a 17" to try to get better mileage, lower rpms on it!?

There are different spacers, so you'll want to take them from the donor to use as well with the 16" rim.

Also, look closely at both rims. Make sure they have TUBELESS stamped on them. In 79 they were transitioning from TUBED to TUBELESS, and this may be another reason why the PO put the 17" rim on....if it's tubeless?!

As for the pipes, you'd be best to put the turn outs WITH baffles on first, and see/hear how it sounds! You might like it. It's aftermarket, and they are often a bit throatier than OEM pipes!

Removing the baffles opens another can of worms with regards to tuning/jetting/reduced back pressure causing loss of low end grunt, not to mention Xsive noise pollution!
T.C.

[fredintoon]

About that "tubeless" stamp

Hi Joe,
I have been using 7-spoke cast wheels since 1986 on a series of XS650s and now my XS11. Some wheels have had "suitable for tubeless" stamped onto a spoke web and some have not. I have always run tubeless tires on all of them and I have not seen a leaker yet. Of course, this is a moot point for you right now as your 16" wheel has a nice new tire on it and it won't be decision time until it's worn out, right?

[Dennyz]

With all my XSs, (running and parts'ers) I have owned (over a dozen), I have never run across a 16" rim that was not tubless or a 17" that was tubless. I have never owned a "H", which may have a 17" tubless. But I think it has a 16".

[Ken Talbot]

Just for reference, my 'H Tsunami has a tubeless 17" rear, and SWMBO's 'H Purple Reign also had a tubeless 17" before I swapped it out for a tubeless 16" for lowering.

[GrandPrix46]

Mine has a 17" tubeless rear wheel. Front is stamped tubeless as well. Has an H rated barracuda tire.