[Bobberchap]

For those that don't have FB, I thought I'd repost this here since this question comes up from time to time and I myself never did find an answer on whether a 170 tyre/tire would fit without doing any modifications or requiring a larger wheel. What do you guys think? Too close for comfort?

 

[Bath of Kylies]

That's interesting ! What's it do to the handling ? Would mere mortals (numptys like me, not bike magazine professional riders !) notice ?

 

[TFC545]

Saw that post as well. The stock 150 looks like absolute crap on the bobber. I'm guessing the clearance is fine so long as the chain is always properly tensioned.

 

[Wooden rat]

I run a 2 size bigger avon on my royal star. Just a little bigger than a credit card between frame and tire. No problem so far. It's a shaft drive. The chain has lots more movement though

 

[BurgerBobber]

Looks nice and tight, keep an update if it rubbs or anything.

 

[mikelectic]

Curious how this goes. Keep us posted.

 

[Bobberwood]

Saw that post as well. The stock 150 looks like absolute crap on the bobber. I'm guessing the clearance is fine so long as the chain is always properly tensioned.

I'm not so sure, even with correct slack that chain is a bit close for comfort.

 

[AusBob]

That looks absolutely FAT ! In a good way !

 

[Donner]

Not a lot of wiggle room, but does look good.

 

[Bobberwood]

That looks absolutely FAT ! In a good way !

But potentially might look absolutely FLAT! in a bad way! Lol

 

[TheParisian]

I am very interested into this topic.
I did not find it over Facebook
Can you give us a feedback regarding the handling and the relative safety of this size ?
Thanks !

 

[Wooden rat]

I would think it's too close being chain drive. I'm sure triumph and all other bike makers spent hours in "laboratory" getting the fit and finish to close specs before putting out final product. Looks like that bike is propped up against that conex. Maybe the owner got rid of kickstand also.

 

[Bobbert]

aaaand you have my attention. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here but wouldn't offset sprockets cure the proximity issue? If so, and for those that just want the look or don't care enough about the performance contributions wide wheel kit companies boast, a 170/70/16 plus some sprockets gets you convincingly close to a 180 conversion. All without a costly upfront investment and easily reversible next time you need rubber...interesting indeed

 

[Spud]

Not to put a downer on what you're thinking but I knew a bloke back in the 70s that tried that and ended up losing a leg in the process when his back wheel got jammed and he drifted into the path of an oncoming car,

 

[Inkymike13]

I'm not so sure, even with correct slack that chain is a bit close for comfort.

Just shim the sprockets 🤭😀

 

[Wooden rat]

Inky, you can't use a Bobberwood quote. He's on sort of vacation polishing and cleaning the green streak so he can't come back with a reply this week

 

[Inkymike13]

Inky, you can't use a Bobberwood quote. He's on sort of vacation polishing and cleaning the green streak so he can't come back with a reply this week

Lol I’m learning and finding my feet in the bobber clan , forgive me 😂😂

 

[jimdirt]

Do y'all think that bike has a sprocket spacer or a offset sprocket?

 

[Ethariel]

I went up to a 190 from a 180 on an s3 because i read somewhere it fitted with no problems, it was an expensive mistake as 200 miles later it was changed for a 180.

The change on turnin was no acceptable.

The bobber is not a knee down bike so i'd genuinely be interested on what you think of the changes in handling?

 

[Bobberchap]

Some pics of the 170R fitted to my bike to accompany this post.