Switching the front wheel from a 21 to 17
 

Hi all,
I'm sure some of you will think that i'm wasting the potential of a good motorcycle, but me and my XT never, never go off-road.
So, as a strictly tarmac rider, i wanted to make some changes, and that's where i'd appreciate any advice you have to offer.
-Should i change my front wheel from 21 to 17? If so, any suggestions on suitable size 17 rims and spokes, and if i can keep my existing standard brake disc set up?
-Or, should i stick with the size 21 and look for 100% road tyres? And do you have any idea what the best option for a 100% road tyre would be?

@Wolfzero, i took a look at your nice super moto'd XT. I know you wrote that the super moto wheels were already on when you got it, but do you still have the specs for them?

Thanks for any help. It's much appreciated.
Happy riding.

You'll love the way your XT steers with the 17's on!....I know I do!:thumbup1:

My XT has Excel's 17"x3.50 up front....17"x4.25 out back
Lends itself to quite an array of tire choices....but, alas mine also had these already on when I bought it......I'll see if I can post up some pics of the spoke lengths for ya in the next day or so.....:wink3:

YamaHead, thanks a lot for the tip. Just spotted your Sumo Saga thread, so looks like you've got your hands full, but if ever you have a free five minutes to post the spoke details i'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again, and all the best with your project.

You could save a lot of money on a spare set of rim/tires, and use them on brakes, suspension, or put them in you're wallet!

Hi Jens,
You're right, of course.
But my problem is that i only get to do proper spare-parts shopping once a year. Here in Seychelles the Yamaha dealer gets his bikes from Singapore and insists that the Xt and anything like it was never available there and that he can't get parts for anything more interesting than a YBR.
So i've drawn up my list of bits and pieces that need replacing when i go overseas. Top of the list is new tyres and i thought that it might be a useful steering upgrade to change the front wheel (21 to 17), while I'm putting the new rubber on.
I also hopped that it would give me more options of road-specific tyres, because out here trying to find a suitable tyre for the front end is killing me. In the condition my front tyre is currently in, cornering at anything above walking speed in the rain has become a mixture of judgement, luck and the power of prayer.
But thanks all the same for your advice.

Ask & Ye shall recieve SB :mchappy:.....
Front...about 7 1/2"....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eLength002.jpg

Rear....around the 6" mark it appears....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eLength003.jpg

Hope this Helps.....:cool4:

Yamahead,
thanks a lot, really appreciate it.
i'll start my search for the spokes and rims now and start hard cornering as soon as possible!
I'll keep an eye on the sumo saga, all the best with that,
cheers,
SB