Topic: Rim size, land speed racing

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I'm going to get a detailed build thread started soon, but have a question about rim size. I'm putting this bike (77 CB550f) together for land speed racing; not competitive, but the goal is to go fast and straight. Would I benefit running a 19" rear on this bike? and would would a skinnier tire, probably 3.00 on 1.85 rim be stable at speed? Front is a 19" Kimtab mag (which I'll trade if you happen to have a 20" laying around.)

Hopefully I'll see you on the salt at BUB this year. I rode out there last year on my '74 550, but missed the main event by a couple days and just ran up and down the salt with a buddy. It was amazing.

[Sam Green Racing]

I doubt if a slim tyre will make a difference even on the salt.
A slim tyre pumped up hard cuts down on rolling resistence.
Wheel spin shouldn't be a problem as you won't have that much power to spin it and with the long run up, you'll have all the time in the world to accelerate at a steady pace.
The only down side to a large wheel and tyre is the extra weight you need to move.
Good luck with your project, post your progress in here.

Sam.

Get loads of info from riders who have done it in here. http://www.landracing.com/forum/

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Hmm, is there any reason then that I shouldn't run a 19" rear? Partly I just thought I'd be fun to do.

I can't tell, is it ok to post motorcycle stuff on that forum? I see they have a BUB section but it didn't look very active.

[754]

Read around a bit in Landracing, there is a lot of bike related threads. the BUB one is fairly quite a lot of the year.
 Did you mean you wanted to trade the Kimtab for a 21 inch..??
 not many 20's out there , never seen one in a mag form.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Ah thats right, I know Rokon offered a big Kimtab one year, must have been 21. If I stick with the 18 rear that would probably look funky anyways.

754 I know you've been out on the salt, better bet I'm going to try and pick your brain  I made it to Tooele the last day like you said and when things were winding down one of the guys in the pit let me ride his '46 Velocette around. That was a pretty cool trip.