Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => Accessories and Modifications - C10 => Topic started by: Charliedog on June 01, 2011, 07:52:46 PM

Title: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: Charliedog on June 01, 2011, 07:52:46 PM
I've searched and looked thru all the posts for the C10 and have not found a write up on doing the Mean Streak rear wheel conversion.  I've seen references to the wheel being a direct bolt on, but what else is needed to complete the conversion.  I would suspect something has to be done for the rear brake.  Off the shelf or DIY? 

Larry  aka  Charliedog
Bristol, TN
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: GF-in-CA on June 01, 2011, 08:37:13 PM
Charlie,

I've been meaning to get the article back up in the FAQ section, but haven't gotten around to it yet.  In the meantime, you can go here:

http://cog-online.org/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=1328&pubmenuoptID=35726 (http://cog-online.org/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=1328&pubmenuoptID=35726)

where the same article is posted.

EDIT:  Now available here also:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1292.msg13060#new (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1292.msg13060#new)

HTH,
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: Ziggie on June 01, 2011, 08:47:47 PM
Murph can help you with the rear rotor;
http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=415 (http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=415)


Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: Ziggie on June 01, 2011, 08:56:02 PM
Also, as far as I know, the valve stem on the Mean Streak wheel is somewhat of a freak.  It is a 8mm hole (same as Ducati) but the valve stem feature on he wheel is built up and the hole is deeper than any 8mm valve stem that I could find.  Ended up buying a $25 Kawasaki valve that is of marginal quality.  Look up the part # yourself and don't rely on the parts counter people to realize that the stem is a freak.
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: GF-in-CA on June 01, 2011, 09:16:41 PM
The Mean Streak valve stem is Kawasaki part number 16126-1191.  This is not included with a new wheel, but should be already on any used wheel you buy.
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: GF-in-CA on June 01, 2011, 09:56:31 PM
I just reposted the article, you can find it here:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1292.msg13060#new (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1292.msg13060#new)

Thanks for motivating me to finally do it!   :thumbs:
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: Charliedog on June 02, 2011, 09:30:49 PM
Thanks for all the good information and all the work that went into it.  Just a couple of questions:  Does the rotor from Murph have to be cut down to 280mm?  And I have a 160 rear tire on the bike now, and it almost touches the feet on the center stand, I would bet anything wider would touch.  What about a 160/60-17?  I suppose a 150/70-17 would be too narrow for that wheel.  BTW how wide is the Mean Streak wheel?  TIA again.

Larry  aka  Charliedog
Bristol, TN
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: Uglydog56 on June 02, 2011, 10:15:55 PM
The rotor from murph is a bolt on after you have machined .300 off the mounting surface of the wheel and procured one additional bolt - no cutting down required; that's only for the stock meanie rear rotor.  The meanie rear is 17x5" and a 170/60 fits in there just fine.  This is my exact setup.  Some have had to grind or bend the center stand legs slightly, I didn't have to.
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: Cybercraig on June 02, 2011, 10:23:26 PM
If you are going to use the existing rear caliper you need a 280mm rotor. It is cheaper to find a front Nomad rotor, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-VN1500-01-Vulcan-Nomad-Front-Brake-Rotors-L-R-/160576975897?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2563223419 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-VN1500-01-Vulcan-Nomad-Front-Brake-Rotors-L-R-/160576975897?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2563223419) , as you'll have $150- or so in cutting one down and grinding it. I am running a 170/60/17 on my Meanie rear with plenty of clearance. I can't imagine a 160/60/17 or a 160/70/17 giving you problems. I think the Meanie wheel is 5". Good luck as you will love the results. It's given me a much more fun gearing for in-town riding.  8)
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: GF-in-CA on June 02, 2011, 11:00:37 PM
As has been stated, the 170/60-17 will work fine.  I have this tire, and have actually moved the centerstand up further than stock for ground clearance, and only needed to grind a little off the side of the one of the feet.  The stand had plenty of clearance before I moved it up.  A 160/60-17 tire is even smaller in diameter than the 170, and would increase the revs slightly more than the 170/60 does.
Title: Re: More info on 17 inch rear wheel conversion please
Post by: s6wired on June 03, 2011, 11:16:34 PM
If anyone needs the bolts for the rotor I have a bag of them. Bought them from a dismantler cheap. You only need one additional but I had to buy the bag, cheaper than one individual from the dealer and they had to order them.