1100 vstar classic, Narrower tire means??

Puck0805 · 03-08-2014, 11:50 AM,

Good morning Vstar world!! The spring season is upon us finally! Ride safe everyone and lets get ready for another great season!
I just bought a 21 inch rim that came off an 800 (Vulcan?) with hopes of switching out my front tire. Heres the scope:
21 inch, 48 spoke rim, replacing my stock 15 or 16 inch 48 spoke rim
Switch out chrome spokes with black
re-lace the rim to my stock hub (the reason for the 48 spoke in the first place) and just switch out the tires at that point.
My question is, the 21 inch rim is about an inch to an inch and a half narrower than the stock rim, soooo what will change as far as riding goes if I do this. I'm sure my speedometer will change slightly, but what else? Handling? fuel?...etc? I ride as much as I can, but my schedule makes it to where I'm riding more for daily transportation rather than long recreational rides in the country (though I would LOVE to do more of that) and I don't ride fast. Maybe 70-75 on the highways when I do get on them. Is it safe to do this or no? I love the look of the bigger tire in the front to an extent, but if it becomes a safety issue then I'll pass. Figured I would check with the professionals before jumping head first in you know? Thanks everyone!
Ride free, Ride safe
Puck0805
02 Vstar 1100 Classic

ET_Geckoe · 03-08-2014, 04:15 PM,

width has no bearing on speedometer only the diameter does. I just looked on my lady and she only has brake lines going to the front...further research is necessary on my part.
Handling on the other hand will be changed, im not sure which is wich but your corners will either feel "tighter" or "looser"

HBcruiser · 03-08-2014, 04:59 PM,

With the thinner tire, the front will feel a little squirley. Not a big deal just something you will have to get used to. I agree about the look of the 21". Looks freaking rad. I have several buddies who run a 21 and they have no regrets. I've ridden all their bikes well and the difference in handling is quite minimal. My big question and concern is where did you find black laces and are you lacing it yourself or having a professional do it???

Puck0805 · 03-08-2014, 05:07 PM,

(03-08-2014, 04:59 PM)HBcruiser Wrote: With the thinner tire, the front will feel a little squirley. Not a big deal just something you will have to get used to. I agree about the look of the 21". Looks freaking rad. I have several buddies who run a 21 and they have no regrets. I've ridden all their bikes well and the difference in handling is quite minimal. My big question and concern is where did you find black laces and are you lacing it yourself or having a professional do it???

Well I haven't gotten them yet. I just got the rim on Thursday. I have a close friend that has been with me on every step with my bike. Kind of like a project manager lol. He is the one that has a guy that will do the lacing. Apparently he has the laces too. I tried to find some myself. Found some on Ebay but only in sets of 36. And truth be told, with my limited knowledge on these type of things, I cant say one way or the other if they are good. So I ask the pros and go from there.

HBcruiser · 03-08-2014, 07:50 PM,

Good. I think most of the people on this forum would agree with me. Lacing is a really tough job. With making sure the wheel is true it becomes extremely difficult. There are only a handful of things I refuse to and lacing at the top of the list. But that's just me. Let me know please If you find black laces. Thanks, Bryan

English · 03-08-2014, 08:17 PM,

I'm thinking that if your speedo drive comes off the front wheel then this mod will change the gear ratio and may drastically alter your recorded speed etc. it won't effect mpg though as this is dictated by your back wheel ratio. The 21" up front will make your steering a little lighter and will probably make it a little easier to throw through the bends. Regarding the speedo - take a speedo unit from the donor bike that is geared at 21" diameter. Easy fix maybe. Should look cool.

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**Mr RCOM** · 03-08-2014, 10:27 PM,

The speedometer is electrically controlled via the brain and rear wheel... so the bigger wheel wont change anything.

And the only thing ive heard about skinnier tires is that if you run your tire into a groove or what-have-you in the road itll want to stay in it. But its not really a bad thing.

When you get to working on it take pictures and stuff. Welcome to the forum!

jhennly · (This post was last modified: 03-08-2014, 10:55 PM by jhennly.)

If you can't find black spokes, why not just paint them? A couple of coats with self etching primer, a couple of gloss black, and a few more of clear, and they'll look just as good as any you can buy.

Here is what I did before I swapped out for the XS1100 wheel.

http://vstar-650.blogspot.com/2011/06/wh...-will.html

HBcruiser · 03-08-2014, 11:40 PM,

@jhennly you are an animal my friend. Those rims look amazing dude. Nice freakin work. Didn't think it was possible to do it myself. Just gave me the confidence to go for it. My laced wheels were headed for the powder coater too. I think you just changed my mind. Question. What did use to clean??? Chemicals or just good ol' fashioned elbow grease.

jhennly · 03-08-2014, 11:45 PM,

(03-08-2014, 11:40 PM)HBcruiser Wrote: @jhennly you are an animal my friend. Those rims look amazing dude. Nice freakin work. Didn't think it was possible to do it myself. Just gave me the confidence to go for it. My laced wheels were headed for the powder coater too. I think you just changed my mind. Question. What did use to clean??? Chemicals or just good ol' fashioned elbow grease.

I used a cleaner/de-greaser,( I think it was "Simple Green") steel wool, and some elbow grease.

**OldePhart** · 03-09-2014, 03:25 PM,

Generally speaking a thinner tire is a little more "nimble" in turns and has more tendency to "wander" on grooved pavement and the like. However, you're also going to a significantly larger diameter which generally has the opposite effect in both cases. I'll be interested to see how much they cancel out and how she handles when all is done. Plz keep us up to date!

John

Maustarman · 10-20-2014, 08:16 AM,

(03-08-2014, 11:50 AM)Puck0805 Wrote: Good morning Vstar world!! The spring season is upon us finally! Ride safe everyone and lets get ready for another great season!
I just bought a 21 inch rim that came off an 800 (Vulcan?) with hopes of switching out my front tire. Heres the scope:
21 inch, 48 spoke rim, replacing my stock 15 or 16 inch 48 spoke rim
Switch out chrome spokes with black
re-lace the rim to my stock hub (the reason for the 48 spoke in the first place) and just switch out the tires at that point.
My question is, the 21 inch rim is about an inch to an inch and a half narrower than the stock rim, soooo what will change as far as riding goes if I do this. I'm sure my speedometer will change slightly, but what else? Handling? fuel?...etc? I ride as much as I can, but my schedule makes it to where I'm riding more for daily transportation rather than long recreational rides in the country (though I would LOVE to do more of that) and I don't ride fast. Maybe 70-75 on the highways when I do get on them. Is it safe to do this or no? I love the look of the bigger tire in the front to an extent, but if it becomes a safety issue then I'll pass. Figured I would check with the professionals before jumping head first in you know? Thanks everyone!
Ride free, Ride safe
Puck0805
02 Vstar 1100 Classic

What happen to this project? Did you get it done ? Did it work ?

vstarcowboy · 01-17-2015, 09:32 PM,

(03-08-2014, 10:50 PM)jhennly Wrote: If you can't find black spokes, why not just paint them? A couple of coats with self etching primer, a couple of gloss black, and a few more of clear, and they'll look just as good as any you can buy.

Here is what I did before I swapped out for the XS1100 wheel.

http://vstar-650.blogspot.com/2011/06/wh...-will.html

Black laces would be simple these days, and powder coating is getting cheaper and cheaper. And is a lot more durable than paint and cc