ST4S wheels on 696?

[malamikigo]

Hey guys, considering budget wheel options to get something a little nicer on my 696 and came across this bike with ST4S wheels:



Wondering if anyone knows the process involved in swapping in these wheels?  Primarily just looking at the rear right now since I have a line on one, so mainly curious about what would be involved in fitting it to my 696. 

Thanks

[Spy+]

 

[suzyj]

Why ever would you want to? The ST4S wheel is 5.5", so you'll need to run a 180 tyre. That'll kill your turn in, which is the coolest thing about the little monsters.

[SpikeC]

 suzy, everybody knows that Real Men have Big Tires!

[malamikigo]

Really helpful replies so far.   

I don't really care about the fact that it's a 5.5" rim, in a good nor bad way.  I'm not looking at doing the swap to gain a wider rear tire.  I'm looking at doing it because I happen to think the stock 3-spoke wheels on the 696 are boring and borderline ugly. They don't do anything to improve the look of the bike. 

The ST4S wheel being wider is not really of any negative consequence. I've ridden plenty of bikes with 180 rears to know it feels just fine, and I will be fine with the monster having a 180 rear.  I actually have a 170 mounted on the bike as is, rather than the stock 160 size, and the handling is just fine.

[OzzyRob]

If it's a 4.5" rim 160 is generally the max for that rim.

You can keep 170 with the 5.5 rear, '91 & '92 gsxr's ran that combo.....and they'd prolly make 50 odd extra hp in their stock form all those years ago.


Now it maybe as simple as swapping the wheel in and out.....I dare say you'd have to keep the 696 sprocket carrier\cush drive.

Another thing you'll have to check is to make sure it has the same centreline dimensions.

Measuring a bare rim is the key....to do this properly you need a 300mm digital height gauge a good straight edge and a 100 - 150mm depth gauge.


If you want a diagram on the best way to do it let me know and I'll draw a diagram....It's exactly the way I did it when I put the wire spoked wheels on my '00 M900.

[ducpainter]

If it's a 4.5" rim 160 is generally the max for that rim.

You can keep 170 with the 5.5 rear, '91 & '92 gsxr's ran that combo.....and they'd prolly make 50 odd extra hp in their stock form all those years ago.


Now it maybe as simple as swapping the wheel in and out.....I dare say you'd have to keep the 696 sprocket carrier\cush drive.

Another thing you'll have to check is to make sure it has the same centreline dimensions.

Measuring a bare rim is the key....to do this properly you need a 300mm digital height gauge a good straight edge and a 100 - 150mm depth gauge.


If you want a diagram on the best way to do it let me know and I'll draw a diagram....It's exactly the way I did it when I put the wire spoked wheels on my '00 M900.

Agreed on the 170 tire. My 900 came with that on a 5.5" rear.

I believe that the sprocket carrier from the wider wheel is required...at least it was on the earlier bikes when doing the swap...or there would be chain alignment issues

[OzzyRob]

When I did mine it was a bastard.

I had a couple of options, easiest was to machine the sprocket carrier to suit, which meant swapping bearings, machining a new snap ring groove and custom spacers. But that meant I could use the original floating rear brake setup.

It was actually fun working out which way to go.

[FrankenDuc]

yes, the 160's turn in nice, but AFAIK, or as far as I'm concerned, a 180's just fine... past 180, the crown on the tire IMO get too wide, 190+ is too wide for canyons.  just my opinion. A 5.5" with a 180 though is just fine. Front end has more impact on the turn in anyways, you just gotta make sure the back end can keep up with it...
Cheers
~Dough

[OzzyRob]

Actually......how much chain clearance do you have at the moment ?

[malamikigo]

I'll measure my chain clearance later today.  I'm also PM'ing with the guy who did that bike pictured above to get more details on his swap. 

[Speeddog]

Those wheels should bolt right in, likely requiring the ST4S sprocket carrier and associated spacers.

Rear wheel will be a bit lighter, but mounted weight about a wash with 180 tire vs. 160 on the 3-spoker.

Front is a good bit lighter.