Anyone got a 160 tyre on their bike... how wide are they?

[Shifty]

Can someone help me out here?

I need a measurement for an inflated 160 if it's at all possible. Looking from the back of the bike I need to know the size of the tyre at the widest point.

I expect that this would generally be the absolute end of the tread. The measurement I would need is an 'as the crow flies' straight line rather than the length of the arc, if that makes sense.

Help!

[I-K]

If you're going for an oversize tyre on the back of the GPz9, what you need is a measurement from someone who's fitted a 160-section tyre to a rim the same width as what the GPz runs... which is what, 4.0" or 4.5"? if the former, you'll be pushing it, quite literally, to fit a 160 tyre.

[zx'er]

The other thing to consider shifty is that not all 160 tyres are the same width. Different brands vary in their dimensions so sort out the brand you want to go first then go from there. g'luck

[Shifty]

I-K... you are close, but not quite. The factory wheel is tiny and actually runs a 130 tyre which is as big as it's getting. I am actually in the process of machining up a GPZ1100 rear wheel (17x5" or 17x5.5", can't remember which) to allow a considerably larger (and better) tyre choice.

I was just trying to be doubly safe and confirm there'll be plenty of chain-to-tyre clearance before I undertake any irreversible machining. I have since confirmed with a number of people that a 160 tyre will fit safely (even have pics) so I no longer need said measurements from a 160 tyre

On another positive note, I have just learned that the ZX10 of the era runs the same output spline with an offset sprocket position, which will have the effect of moving the chain futher outboard... minimising the amount of machining required to the wheel (was going to be a total of 10mm off the sprocket carrier and mounting surface) and increasing my chain-to-tyre clearance even further (170, perhaps? ) so I'm safe.

zx'er... am certainly aware of the different tyre dimensions, that's why I was asking. I figured if I could get a few answers from here and measure up a couple myself over the weekend then I'd have a good cross-section of sizes. A non-issue now though as I've got the answer I wanted anyway!

[Jonno]

I can't wait to see this beasty with everything you are doing to it, anything original left?

[HemiDuty]

I can't wait to see this beasty with everything you are doing to it, anything original left?

Yeah. The bolt that holds the little clamp for the front brake line. Oh and the valve caps.

[Shifty]

It would be a lot less standard if funds permitted!

Currently the rear wheel is the main change, but a ZZR600 or late model GPZ900 front end and a great-whacking-big alloy radiator and oil cooler are on the cards.

One day: