rear wheel swap

[admin]

Lots of gl1200 rear wheels here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4684.m570.l1313&_nkw=gl1200+rear+wheel&_sacat=See-All-Categories">http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_ ... Categories</a><!-- m -->

I use a 1500 final drive on my 1200 and have no problems with tire rub using the 1200 wheel.

[racejunky]

Please bare with me on this issue cause there are things about this I do not know but am trying to understand. If the swing arm bushings were bad how would I go about checking them? I would obviously have to get the weight off the rear wheel but how do you determine if there is any lateral motion?

[bluewing]

I would put the bike on the center stand, wiggle the rear wheel left and right, fairly hard. If there is any side to side movement in the swing arm the swing arm bearings are loose or worn. If there is movement in the wheel only then it is most likely in the wheel assembly. Remember, you have a 1500 wheel and it is bigger than a 1200 wheel, it will fit but there is no room for any side movement in the wheel or it could rub.

[racejunky]

Is there a special tool needed to break the lock nut loose on the swingarm? And if so where would I accquire said tool?

[admin]

Special tool is required. It looks like a socket with 4 small, square tabs on the outside edges that engage the swingarm locknut. You can buy one for about $40.-$60. at the Honda dealer or you can grind an old socket down until it fits. I have the Honda tool but when I tried Bluewing's home made tool I found that they both worked equally well for me.

[robdavspa]

Will the driven flange from a 1500 fit the 86-87 wheel and final drive? Are the gear ratios in the 1200 and 1500 final drives the same?
Bob

[racejunky]

After all this hullabaloo about the wheel swap I found my problem. After finding that the straight wheel swap was not going to work, due to the difference in the size of the dust cover on the different wheels, and hours of tightening and readjusting and looking at the driveshaft tube I accquired what I believed (and turned out to be) was sufficient clearence there. Still had a rub when hard over in a turn two up. went back and poured over this thing with a fine tooth comb. I finally spotted another rub point at the very top of the fender well made a little adjustment there, walla, no more tire rub. Don't know how I missed the second rub all this time but at least now it's fixed. Thanks for the advice along the way, Joe

[admin]

Are the gear ratios in the 1200 and 1500 final drives the same?
Bob

Yes, both the same, 2.833.

[robdavspa]

Thanks, Vic. I found that a PO had installed a 1987 driven flange on the '84 wheel which made for a loose fit allowing a little squirming of the fingers and coupled with no lube wore the isolator bushings completely out. Found a good wheel and driven flange off a 1987 and all is well now.
Bob

[T. Bix]

Anybody still on here that has done this swap? Any advise? Any change in fuel economy when switching to the taller tire?