Hi. I'm here for info! I have an 87 with stock rear wheel and swing arm. I wanted to install the 5.5" REAR wheel from the newer models. Just wanted to know if it's a straight up install?

I found a used 4 bolt rim, pretty cheap. Just wanted to get some guidance before investing on a project I won't be able to complete.

You wont get a 5.5 rim in there

So I was reading another thread on here when someone else did the exact same thing (on a 1990)... He showed pics of it, bolted on, and although it was very close to the swingarm, it ended up working. Did I read that wrong?

Are there any other options if someone wanted to run a wider rim on these older narrow setups?

Any guidance would be appreciated

ben kingham runs a 5.5 on a standard bevel box ….but modified exhaust and out of the way



a 1990 should have the paralever rear end and would fit and be close to centre alignment  , but still have to consider the centre stand getting in the way on both models


good luck

I should have mentioned I no longer have the center stand. So you're saying a 1990 and 1987 have different swingarm?

Could I replace anything easily on the rear to make this work?

perhaps you could clarify which exact model you have ?

or does the swingarm have a joint before the differential- final drive ?

edit just reread the post ...87 so should be a monolever  rear end  with standard bevel box
without centre stand is about the best your going to get ...don't know of any that have done different .  you will notice when observing from the rear that the centre line of the tyre will be way offset ...to the original rim- wheel ...in excess of 15mm

to use the k1100 -k100 16 valve versions rear end  ( needs a suitable gearbox with the extra lug for the bar to the gearbox )  and it would move the tyre closer to the centre line ..(because the paralever rear drive and connections offset is different ...simple explanation )

Thank you for that. In my research, I came across this thread where a member with same bike (1985) did the same thing, with no modifications at all. Am I reading this wrong? I just don't understand why there are so many contradictions to this question.

He literally bolted up the K12 5" rear rim with a 175 tire... Only thing he needed were the K12 wheel bolts.

https://www.k-bikes.com/forums/56-other-k-bikes-discussion/24161-yes-can-done-170-tire-85-k100.html#/topics/24161

I do see how the wheel is sitting a bit off to the left (not centered). Not so concerned with this, I'm more concerned with how he says it requires no modifications, but so many others described so much work to make this happen.

ive put a 4.5 on the rear of Gerty  with a 165    (oops )   160 tyre

rides ok , but had to mod the centre stand

the replacement cost of the tyre has got me back to the standard till the budget recovers ….lol

Sorry, what is a Gerty?

A "Gerty" is Charlies loving name for his bike but with the tyre size he is using it is getting near to a Hardly Can

Ahi wrote:In my research, I came across this thread where a member with same bike (1985) did the same thing, with no modifications at all.

He literally bolted up the K12 5" rear rim with a 175 tire...  Only thing he needed were the K12 wheel bolts.

He writes that he needed to remove the center stand to make it work, as Charlie also mentioned. That would qualify as a modification.

I can attest to a K1200RS rear wheel with the correct wheel lugs sliding right onto the back of a Paralever FD with no issues, but it's a 170/60ZR17 as there is no '175' tyre size. Also, a 160/60ZR18 (not 165) fits onto a Monolever with no trubs. Both need centre stand mods (or removal) to clear.

Amazing!

G'day Ahi , if you get your hands on a three spoke 4.5x18 rear rim you can fit up a 160/60/18 as TWB has stated ( and Charlie has shared a rear pic of ) this is what I have done , Dunlop ( Roadsmart ) also make a 170/60/18 which is closer to the standard rolling diameter of the stock 130/90/17 tyre , if you use the 2mm spacer on the rear it may just fit in but double check before you shell out any $$$

John Re

Melbourne Australia

Thank you. Only issue is that the 3 spoke won't really look great on this bike. So was trying to avoid it.