81 LH vs RH rear wheel fitment

[Tobiczyk]

I currently have an 81 LH that I am rebuilding and wanted to know if the RH will fit. I know the size difference, 17 vs 16, but is anything else different? Will it still bolt up to the bike? same axle? bearing? etc. I don't want to go through the effort of trying to find one before I know if it will fit.

[motoman]

I currently have an 81 LH that I am rebuilding and wanted to know if the RH will fit. I know the size difference, 17 vs 16, but is anything else different? Will it still bolt up to the bike? same axle? bearing? etc. I don't want to go through the effort of trying to find one before I know if it will fit.

right-side axle spacers HAVE to be used from an H model(Standard) when changing to a rear 17" wheel.

[Tobiczyk]

Luckily I happen to have an 81 standard and 80 MNS parts bikes as well. Plenty of spare parts to go around. I just like the look of the 17" better. I love the look of the curved gold wheels but the disparity between the 16-19" from rear to front is a bit much for me.

[motoman]

.....there ya' go, just be sure and use the Standard axle wheel spacers.

[Tobiczyk]

yeah......now the hard part of finding the exact wheel im looking for.....this should be fun

[motoman]

yeah......now the hard part of finding the exact wheel im looking for.....this should be fun

Well.....you already stated you have a Standard as a parts bike.......so whats up?

[Tobiczyk]

I need to find a rear wheel from either Asia or Australia I believe. From my understanding the 17" gold curved spoke wheel was only available on the 81 RH (5N5) bikes. It is the same as the 81 LH MNS except it is 17" instead of 16". IF you know of another bike that had the 17" gold curved spoke wheel please let me know.

[Eveready1100]

Hi Tobiczyk,
The RH (as marketed here in Australia) was also sold as the 5K7 Sport (with some minor differences) in the UK and Europe. I'm not sure if it would be easier (postage wise) to try to source one from there instead. One thing to note. The Specials and the Sports rear wheels have the same hub dimensions, so you'll only have to get the wheel itself. The Special's spacers and brake torque arm will fit it up fine.

[Tobiczyk]

I thought the 17" was Australia only. Thanks for the heads up on the 5K7. I never actually realized the difference until I started watching Andy's youtube series on his XS cafe build. Took me a while to realize why i liked the dimensions on his so much until I happened to catch a video that showed his rear tire.....17".

I assumed I would have to try to find one on ebay or something. I am not sure of where else to look besides ebay. If you have any recommendations of websites or anything that would access the australian market and be useful please let me know.

[Eveready1100]

To be honest, mate, Ebay is probably the easiest and safest way to get bits from overseas. You really can't beat their buyer protection policy. I use it all the time to purchase parts for my SF, which wasn't marketed here, so I'm basically in the same boat as you.

P.s. Andy's series is the bee's knees, eh!

[Tobiczyk]

Oh I completely agree. It is just not the easiest part to find as no one seems to be selling one. If you come across a wheel, send it my way.

[Eveready1100]

Found one, mate! - http://www.ebay.de/itm/Yamaha-XS-110...EAAOSwsB9WAmM9

You don't happen to know anyone who goes to Europe for business or a potential holiday. They could put it in their luggage and get it back heaps cheaper than that!

[3Phase]

That's a nice wheel, did they make a swirly 17" black rear wheel or just the gold?

[Eveready1100]

Sorry Scott, They only came in gold. That's nothing that a bit of paint can't fix.

[3Phase]

Thanks, Eveready. After some serious thought and contemplation, the eBay picture looks like the gold paint holds up well and it looks 'cleaner' than aged and oxidized black paint of the same age and condition. Even if it is pretentious as all get out it would at least match the gold trim on either one of the '850 Midnight Special final drives that I have.

As a possible upgrade project I'll have to find one in decent shape, then dig up a gold front wheel to match it somewhere on this continent because for the cost of shipping from overseas that rear wheel should be painted in real gold pant.