SLABSIDE 17 INCH WHEEL CONVERSION what other threads miss!

[tubehead]

I wanted to keep my slabbie stock front end when I did the 17 inch wheel conversion using 91 wheels.I read every thread everywhere and it all seemed straight forward! Many threads said it is easier to just change the whole front end.(This may be true)
The rear is virtual a bolt in as indicated in all these threads.
The Front has several problems nobody mentioned.

If you want to keep your original speedo (I really do) you need a 91 speedo drive as the slabbie one cannot be used.
Once you change the bearings to match the 17mm slabbie axle and bolt the wheel in with the discs mounted.

You will notice 2 things.

1.The wheel is 4mm off center to right.
2. You cannot get the calipers on without unbolting the discs. (every time you want to remove the front wheel you will be unbolting the discs from now on)

OPTION .1.The 4mm offset is no big deal just machine 2mm off the left spacer but the left spacer is the speedo drive !
The retaining clip groove that holds the drive together is placed at 2.5mm so that would leave .5 after removing the 2mm needed which is not really enough I think.
Also the outer face of the drive will need 1mm machined off to save rubbing on the wheel hub and the drive tangs will need 1mm removed.

OPTION.2.Machine the 2mm off the left fork leg face or 1mm off the drive and 1mm off the fork leg face.

OPTION.3.Pull the wheel apart and machine the left bearing housing 2mm along with bearing spacer.

Have not decided what I will do yet but most likely option 2. The right fork leg has a steel sleeve in it that protrudes 2mm at the moment so once the left side spacing is sorted it will be back where it  should be and no work required there.

Anyone else knows something I don't please advise.

[canamant]

take the pads out first and the calipers should come off

[kokolis]

Hi,
I did the conversion years ago and me too I used to loosen the discs and then take off the calipers but as Canamant said is easier to take off the pads first, the 2mm difference on the speedo drive is also more than a couple times mentioned on varius threads.

[tubehead]

Oct 31, 2013 7:31:57 GMT kokolis said:

Hi,
I did the conversion years ago and me too I used to loosen the discs and then take off the calipers but as Canamant said is easier to take off the pads first, the 2mm difference on the speedo drive is also more than a couple times mentioned on varius threads.

Crap I googled the shit out of this and found zip about the front wheel .Mostly "I did this and cannot remember how type posts".
Don't suppose you can remember where they were posted?
Any way too late now I am almost there but if I had my time again I would just go complete front end.I was pretty keen on keeping the bike with the stock front end.
From what I have read the conversion is well worth the effort in terms of feel and handling.

[scara]

Now that you have done all this machining to the spacers, do the rotors still sit in the centre of the Calipers? That is, are they now offset too ?? If they are, you may find the rotors will over time, warp as a result of not pulling up evenly and centrally to the caliper / rotor; OR one side will wear faster than the other as disc pressure will be a mismatch, just saying. Don't want to rain on your parade here of course This is a massive job by not changing the front forks to match. 

[kokolis]

Hi all,
when the speedo driver is saved 2mm the front wheel is center, nice discs BTW
Hier is a pic of mine

[p4ddy]

17inch 3 spokes really sex's the slabby up loads but the complete L front end takes it to Orgasmic levels. How much does the handling change doing this?

[slabby11]

Swapped the 750 over to j/k rwu years ago and would'nt go back now (unless i could fit the cartridge conversion), the 1100 that's being built will also get j/k rwu.

[kokolis]

If you change for usd go for a latest models as weight on the old usd's is a reason not to do it.
You can make your oem fork work a treat as I did with sims and oil.
Handling was never an issue, tires were. Dont forget that slabby has one of the most light wheels ever made and that is what makes the difference, If and when I can I would like to put some thin spoke wheels on her.

[gsxrcol]

Best thing I ever did to mine, and I've had it 26 years, wish I did it much earlier.

Much more stable in the turns, great choice of rubber (used racetecs and diablo supercorsas so far)

And have to agree Paddy, does a bit for the looks as well

never found the weight to be a problem, but then never tried it on a late series front end and wheels

[Deleted]

well i did it to mine and it handles just fine with sticky tyres  looks so good i love it 

[kokolis]

I know and when you sit on her your eye catches that big yoke.

[tubehead]

The USD conversion looks awsome but my bike is on Classic registration and because the chopper/bobber guy's pushed the limits so much the authorities are cracking down and the bikes need to be 90% stock to qualify for classic rego.
The pods,pipe and discs are about it.
I have 3 modern bikes and some classics so want to keep cost down.

The other reason is a couple of young bucks I ride with laughed at me when I turned up on the slabbie recently for a ride and where shocked how fast it was and that they could barely shake me off.That was on 18s with touring tires and soggy old suspension and was the real motivation to get it on  sticky rubber with the suspension sorted. The USD would give it away but I doubt they will pick 17s and it will look like the same bike to them.I can hang with these guys no problem on a modern bike so would love to do that on the slabbie.

[tubehead]

Oct 31, 2013 16:26:23 GMT kokolis said:

Hi all,
when the speedo driver is saved 2mm the front wheel is center, nice discs BTW
Hier is a pic of mine

This is perfect looks stock apart from the pipe and the wheels look factory . GSXRCOL thats a stunning 750 nice job.

[kokolis]

I also ride with fellas with niewer bikes but the old beast still has teeth.
Nothing beats the felling you get when a r1 or rsv cant keep up

Not always ofcourse