EX500- 16" wheel to 17" wheel???

[McBiggity]

Question? I am going to buy a ex500 over the upcoming winter to race in the PT class next year. I now that some earlier years of the ex500 came w/ the 16inch wheel which is tough to find good tires for. Is there anything involved in fitting a 17 inch wheel to the EX that comes stock w/ the 16 inch wheel or is it just direct bolt on??

[Honclfibr]

It involves swapping out the rear drum brake system that was stock on 93- EXs with the 16s to the rear disc system that came on 94+ EXs with the 17s, for sure.

I don't know beyond that...

[Paul_E_D]

Ummm... I don't remember having drums on my old EX, but it's been a while! the change involves machining up an axle spacer to get the wheels aligned properly.

[cutline_joe]

Here's a link if you want someone to do a conversion for you. You end up with an F2 rear, which has many advantages.

http://www.brgracing.com/ex500swingarm.html

Here's a link if your feeling lucky and want to do it yourself:

http://www.mfes.com/wade/ex500.html

http://p220.ezboard.com/fkawasaki500...picID=28.topic

My understanding when I was looking into this before, is that it was much better and aroundt the same price to do the F2 conversion.

[Paul_E_D]

Be careful of the F2 conversions. It can be very tricky to work out the handling problems (Chat-t-t-ter) created by the new parts...

[need4speed]

First you need to aquire a 94+ or newer swingarm which will allow the use of the 17" wheels. Then you will need the rear disc brake and rotor setup. By doing the F2 conversion you nolonger can run in the Production Twins class ( if you plan on racing ). For the front the only difference is the size of the spacers. Any questions send a pm and I'd gladly help you out.

[McBiggity]

thanks guys for the info. I think it may be easier to just pickk up a 94 and up ex500. I do want to race in the PT class next year to get my feet wet in the racing scene.

[lee955i]

Originally posted by mcbgti
thanks guys for the info. I think it may be easier to just pickk up a 94 and up ex500. I do want to race in the PT class next year to get my feet wet in the racing scene.

Best thing to do, really. Pick up one already race prepped. They're out there and very reasonable. With the 94 and up models, you get the 17 inch wheels, disc rear brake, 1mm larger fork tubes, and a few other things that make it a better platform.
Cheers, Lee S.

[Daytona440]

need a crew chief Mike???

[court1129]

You're gonna do what???? Why is this the first we've heard of this?

[McBiggity]

lol- been trying to go under the radar on this one.
it's not a definite yet, but I want to get things going. I know I can't afford to race this year, so I want to get everything together and save some $$ for next year's season.

I might end up in the Lightweight Sportsman class with the bike I'm looking at.

[kendoairdog]

Let me know how it goes I have a '93' zx600 and it has 16" wheels and have the same prob.

[McBiggity]

and Tim- can always use a hand. How do you look with an umbrella?

[Daytona440]

Originally posted by mcbgti
and Tim- can always use a hand. How do you look with an umbrella?

Honestly? i look DEAD SEXY!

the Ducati girls don't have anything on me!!!