Swapping 17" rear wheel to a 16" rear wheel

[tn11]

Hello all. I found a thread with details on putting an XS11 Standard 17" rear wheel on a 16" Special, but I'm trying to do the opposite. My friend has a '79 Standard and it's just too tall for him. I suggested having some foam removed from the seat when it comes time to reupholster. However, in the meantime, I thought about putting a '79 Special rear wheel on his '79 Standard to lower the rear 1 inch. Before he buys the used Special 16" wheel, I wondered if there would be spacing, shaft drive or suspension issues. According to the other thread, it seems swapping the other way (16" to 17") required spacer and brake bracket swapping. I'm confused! Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

[bikerphil]

You will need the 16" wheel, the spacer closest to the right wheel bearing (different on Standard and Specials), and also the caliper torque bracket. That is the forward mounted steel bracket that keeps the caliper and it's aluminum mounting bracket from rotating forward. The caliper and it's mounting bracket and axle are the same for both Standard and Special.

[oldnortonrider]

The steel tri-shaped stamped out brackets are different. The inside bearing cover/dust cover spacers are different. Omit the silver looking thick spacer that's used closest to swing-arm (used w/17" wheel). Back in December I posted a thread with relevant information to the swap http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38814 .

[crazy steve]

Fuzzy pic, but this should help...



Special on left, standard on right.

[red bandit]

Going from a 17" to a 16" will only lower the rear a 1/2". Might look into 1" shorter shocks. And the side stand will need to be shortened...unless you lean it down hill.

[crazy steve]

And the side stand will need to be shortened...unless you lean it down hill.

The side (and center) stands are all the same length all models, no need to modify it. Depending on the rear tire on the standard wheel, you can gain more than a 1/2"....

[oldnortonrider]

Fuzzy pic, but this should help...



Special on left, standard on right.

¿Think this pic could be installed in Wheels and Suspension , either in Maintenance, Repairs, or Modifications . I remembered that you had posted the pic some months ago; I searched for more than an hour to get the pic or thread url to put on here ~~ couldn't find it. Years back, I researched for at least 5 years to try to find on this site, accurate info about the part swaps to make this wheel change over ~~ never did find accurate info, or somebody that could [I]"properly"[I] explain, where I could unnerstan'. That pic would have saved me hours of time and brain strain; that pic sez it all.

[tn11]

Wow! You guys don't waste any time. Excellent info. I believe fuzzy steve's thread was the one that I found earlier. Now I have that and oldnortonrider's thread. I'm in good shape. One follow-up question. Are the brackets shown in crazysteve's photos the ones bikerphil referred to as the "caliper torque brackets" that I should swap? I'm not near my SF or my friend's F to visually inspect right now. Many thanks to all. I'll post the results if my friend wants to go through with this. Any thoughts on pros and cons of swapping wheels vs. shorter rear shocks? Thanks again.

[crazy steve]

Yep, those are the brackets. The difference in the two spacers is the 'Special' one is .3" thicker than the standard spacer, and you don't use the chrome spacer on the far right with the special wheel.

When I get my computer replaced (this one is all screwed up... ), I'll finish my 'interchange guide' and that pic (well, a clearer version of it) will get posted....

[tn11]

I think I gotcha crazy steve. I saw a few brackets on ebay but no spacer. If I understand correctly, I'll need the Special bracket and the Special spacer that goes on the axle? Is there any difference in spacing where the bracket hooks to the swingarm in front of the brake line bracket? Thanks.

[MaximPhil]

AND keep all the old parts in case you ever want to swap it back to original.
Phil

[tn11]

Yea, I will keep the parts for sure. I recently found and bought a dealer take-off '79 SF seat. Paid through the nose, but it"s NICE! Also picked up a '79 SF rear grab/stay bar that's also nice. Same deal, I paid a fortune. Point being, save the parts you remove so that you can return the bike to original. This may be for your future satisfaction or for future valuation. Think about it, all those folks who bought a ''79 Special and installed a banana seat and disarded the OEM seat and stay bar, or left them both at the dealership, should have "kept the parts". Thanks.

[bikerphil]

If I understand correctly, I'll need the Special bracket and the Special spacer that goes on the axle?

Yes, you'll need both.

Is there any difference in spacing where the bracket hooks to the swingarm in front of the brake line bracket? Thanks.

The spacing is the same to the swingarm, the 16" wheel is wider so it has a different offset.

[ExcessiveBiker]

XS Lowering

Drop the forks in the triple trees 1/2' to balance the bike fore and aft. This will give you a true 1/2" lowering of the bike, along with the rear wheel change. Just working with the rear, you will only get a percentage of the drop at the seat. Do both, to get the full benefit.

ExcessiveBiker