Fitting a radial rear wheel on a non-radial bike

[PumpinIron]

I purchased a set of Gold OZ Racing wheels from a Gen 2 bike. I plan on putting them on my 2002 RSV Mille R this week. I've done a ton of searching and with my radial front brake setup I know the front wheel fits just fine but I've heard some people say that the rear wheel may or may not need 2-3mm shaved from it in order to fit the rear swing arm.

I've seen nothing concrete about this in all of the threads I've read, it seems like only speculation at this point. So, what I'm wondering is if anyone out there has done this swap and can verify if the rear will fit or not without having to have it shaved. Also, if you did have to have rear wheel shaved how much exactly did you take off of it? Should this be something my local machine shop could do?

Again, I hear some people saying the rear fit up fine and others saying it didn't fit. Just looking for some input from someone who has actually done this swap.

[kzmille]

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=72794

[PumpinIron]

Obviously that one eluded me. Funny, I bought my exhausts from that guy as well.

Thanks! Looks like I need to find someone to CNC machine my wheel.

[kzmille]

The distance between the swing arm ends can vary a lot between bikes. Some have said that they can install the late wheel on the early bike without problems. I've never tried but know it would not fit on my bike. Loosen your rear axle nut and slide the whole wheel and sprocket carrier package fully to one side and see how much space you have. If it's 2.5mm+ you might be able to fit it. It will alter your chain line a bit though.

[PumpinIron]

I'll do that when the wheels get here on Tuesday. Do you think that would be bad if it altered my chain line by a few millimeters?

[yokohama]

I bought a set of radial OZ's and had the front shaved to fit my non radial front. The back was fine. A slight difference in alignment will be ok but you may get more sprocket wear. Once fitted you will be able to see how it is going to work.

[PumpinIron]

Gotcha, I'll have to see how off the alignment is with the chain once I put it on. Hopefully it's not that much.

[TRexRacing]

If the chain line is out the countershaft sprocket will be easier to shim. Really the only way is to mount the wheel and measure.

[PumpinIron]

Good point. I didn't consider shimming the countershaft sprocket. That's probably a cheaper alternative.

[PumpinIron]

So then perhaps the answer instead of shaving the rear wheel is just shimming the front countershaft sprocket by 1.25mm.

The wheels just came today so after I put new tires on I'll line them up and see what the deal is.

[Aprilia_RSV_Dan]

Just because the mounting width is 2.5mm wider doesn't mean it's 1.25mm off centerline on each side and if it isn't your sprocket alignment isn't the only thing that might be off. Even if the centerline is off it shouldn't be by enough to worry about, just make sure sprockets are aligned.

[PumpinIron]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I put the radial wheels on and the rear fits PERFECT! I didn't have to wedge it in there or anything, it just mounted up perfectly just like the non-radial wheels that came off the bike. Maybe I got lucky but I don't think any machining needs to be done here. The chain line might be a tiny bit off but I can shim the countershaft to fix that!

[velowood]

I've heard the same thing from others who have done it

[PumpinIron]

Yep, it fits just find. I didn't have to pry my swingers apart or anything. I'm a happy camper knowing I don't need to have the wheel machined!