Tube to tubeless...

[TopCatGr58]

I agree. Wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if they deleted that XS off of the "XS-XJ Super Guru". Heck, you could even delete the Super Guru thing and put "Simply used to just post A LOT!"

POOF ! Your wish has been granted!

T.C.

PS, yes, Steve, we really do need a good tech tip on how to perform a 17" to 16" swap....and perhaps vice versa.

[oldnortonrider]

I am wanting to swap a 17 tube-style rim on a 78E for a 16" tubeless. There is a much larger selection of tires for the 16". Is there any problems with doing this as far as rear brake mounting or anything? I was thinking that if the rear brake disc was the same diameter, it would be fine, but are the discs mounted at the same location horizontally?

The most important benefit for the swap that you're about to make, is that the 16" rim is about 3/4 inch wider at the bead, than the 17" rim. I made this swap about a year ago, only in reverse; went from the 16 to the 17 on my Special. I'd had the two different wheels for more than ten years, and researched what would be needed for the swap, on this forum. What Steve shows in the pics and the pieces to be swapped, are correct. Nowhere on this forum did I find info about difference(s) in the rim width, or the pros and cons of the outcome of the different width swap. With the wider 16" rim; will make the tire wider, and nearly touch the driveshaft housing; 17" rim skinnies the tire to where you've got a fairly wide, noticeable clearance/gap. You will have MUCH improved handling, and MUCH better stability with the 16" wider rim at ANY speed. I will be going back to the 16" wheel in the near future. Either rotor off either wheel will interchange.

[BA80]

the 16" rim is about 3/4 inch wider at the bead, than the 17" rim.

I didn't realise that. Thanks.

I'm certain that will make Tod feel better about the swap.

[bikerphil]

Is the main caliper bracket the same for the Standard and Special? I know the Midnight and the XJ are different.

The drive ratio of the 16" wheel paired with the 850FD is a perfect combo, JMHO.

Nice bike Tod.

[oldnortonrider]

Is the main caliper bracket the same for the Standard and Special? I know the Midnight and the XJ are different.

The drive ratio of the 16" wheel paired with the 850FD is a perfect combo, JMHO.

Nice bike Tod.

I think what Steve is calling the "caliper bracket", is actually the torque plate. Apparatus ("bracket" ?) that holds the caliper is same on the Standard and the Special. I've interchanged them over the years, even before I made the wheel swap.
Re what I'd said before about the rotors being interchangeable (duhh); had meant to imply that the rotors are positioned same with either wheel.

[BA80]

Is the main caliper bracket the same for the Standard and Special? I know the Midnight and the XJ are different.

The drive ratio of the 16" wheel paired with the 850FD is a perfect combo, JMHO.

Nice bike Tod.

In the picture Steve put up the anchors look a bit different but is the positioning of the caliper when mounted the same?

The drive ratio with the 17" wheel with the stock FD and the 16" wheel with the 750/850 FD is nearly identical.

[crazy steve]

In the picture Steve put up the anchors look a bit different but is the positioning of the caliper when mounted the same?

Yamaha calls that bracket a 'torque stopper' which seems sort of lame... But yes, it does position the main cast aluminum caliper bracket in the same place.

[BA80]

I mean in relation to the swing arm. Is the Special bearing spacer all that is needed with the wheel swap?

[cywelchjr]

I mean in relation to the swing arm. Is the Special bearing spacer all that is needed with the wheel swap?

No, you need the torque stopper that goes with the wheel type as well.

[BA80]

Sorry, I meant swing arm AND rotor.

[BA80]

No, you need the torque stopper that goes with the wheel type as well.

That's what I thought. Some of the posts have been a bit confusing on that.

[crazy steve]

Nope, you need the bracket too; there's a fairly big difference in the brackets are far as how they're formed/bent besides the outside shape. I've seen a few swaps where they managed to use the standard bracket by forcing the various parts around, but most complained about how hard the axle was to get in or poor alignment of the caliper. I'll try to put together a tech tip with enough pics to make it all clear. With the right parts it's a no-fuss swap...

[bikerphil]

I know the steel bracket is different, still not clear about the aluminum one.

[crazy steve]

The aluminum bracket (the part the caliper actually mounts to) is the same between the standards and specials, except of course for the LH and XJ which use a different caliper...

[TomB]

C'mon lads, I know you don't like listening to my limie accent but you could at least listen when talking about this bike

the wheel spindle (axle?) spacers are different which in turn means the brake torque plates are different, the caliper and caliper bracket are the same on both models.