87 fzr1000 wheel change

[chrisdovey]

hi there im new to this forum and to the fzr.
ive just bought a 1987 fzr1000 and im wondering if its possible and practicle to swap the 18 inch rear wheel for the 17 inch wheel fitted on the latter 89 version?
and if so is it just the rear wheel i would have to change or anything else?

the reason for the is because i want to be able to have the wider tyre and the wider selection of tyres you can get with the 180/55/17

[chrisdovey]

any help anyone?

[DonTZ125]

The sprocket carrier is the same, which certainly implies it's quite possible. I'll leave it to one of the 1k specialists to comment further.

[Ice Queen]

pretty sure R and RU model wheels are interchangable, but had no experience on pre-Exup models

[chrisdovey]

mine is a genesis

[fire-medic]

A narrower tire will quicken steering response though it is more-noticeable in the front than the rear. Side to side transitions would be quicker too w/the narrower tire/wheel. There are multiple manufacturers for 18" radials now, used to be less. I have a '90 FZR1000 I haven't bothered to fit because I can't use the full qualities of the 18" I currently have, I have the same bike as you & have owned it for 23 years.

[chrisdovey]

cheers for the info.

but there are very few tyres available for an 18 inch rim. its only possible to get sport touring tyres and i want to be able to run sticky sports tyres. and possible do some track day and want to run to slicks or very soft compound track tyres. they dont anything like that in 160/60/18 but they do in 180/55/17

[chrisdovey]

so does anyone know if its possible to put later rear wheel onto a 87 genesis model?

[chrisdovey]

??

[turbospark]

Hello there guys...I'm in the process of buying a friend's 88 1k that has the newer model (90) ,I believe, wheel on and according to them it was a straight swap...once I have the bike in my posession I will post pics of her but it should be a straight swap...