Supermoto Wheel Conversion - How To

For those wanting to put some trick wheels on there machine - There may be some issues that need some attention.. Remember this shot ? Marchesini Supermotos http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00004Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00004Large.jpg) Wheel Specs: Marchesini Supermotos - 3.5 x 17 front / 5.0 x 17 rear Pilot Power - 160/60ZR17 front / 120/70ZR17 rear

The problem when running a nice fat wheel & tire is the chain gets real close to rubbin on the tires edge.. So a spacer needs to be placed under the rear sprocket.. Here are the adjustments that had to be done to my WR for the YZ Supermotos.. 1/4 Spacer Rear Sprocket - (Custom Water Jet cut aluminum spacer - Launchzone Kit) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00306Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00306Large.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00316Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00316Large.jpg) Longer sprocket bolts were also needed for the added distance.. (Launchzone Kit) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00330Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00330Large.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00338Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00338Large.jpg) A 1/8 spacer also needs to be placed under the Counter sprocket to keep the chain inline & safety wired on since the factory lock can not be used anymore.. (Launchzone Kit) NEED PIC.. 1/16 Spacer Left Side Axel - (Get sprocket away from swingarm welds - Launchzone Kit) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00320Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00320Large.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00329Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00329Large.jpg) Had to grind down lower chain guide mount welds & swingarm welds a little as rear sprocket was rubbing. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00311Large.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00311Large.jpg) And finally the chain guard itself needs to be shimmed out using standard washers due to the fact of the chain being out farther & the alignment is off on that now..

Heres the gole - As you can see with the spacers there is excellent chain to tire clearance.. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00293.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00293.jpg) Launchzone - Coolest dude from Canada ever - The hookup for custom spacers / etc... http://www.geocities.com/launchzone/ http://www.supermotojunkie.com/member.php?u=673

Wheel Porn.. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/other%20bikes/TM530SMM.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/Quick%20Pics/IMG0452.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/other%20bikes/tn_IMG_1073.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/other%20bikes/IMG_1497.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Other%20Pics/DSC_0016a.jpg * Not Mine .. heres the cbr wheels on my xr 650L.17x3.5 and 17x5.5 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Other%20Pics/100_13012.jpg Others: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Other%20Pics/frontwheelleft.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Other%20Pics/rearwheeel.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Other%20Pics/Marchesini003.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/Quick%20Pics/152-5287_IMG.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/Quick%20Pics/158-5821_IMG.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/Quick%20Pics/wheelart2.jpg

nuther good 1 fozz

Excellent write up!!! This is the best one I have seen yet for how to get the spacing right for supermoto..and specifically for the 5" rear. right now I Have the 4.25 rear wheel, I get some chain rub on the tire even with that wheel, but not much. I would like to get some marchesini wheels for my bike with at least 4.5 rear...maybe 5" at some point. awesome pics too!!

Burned ALOT of time messin with these wheels but the pay off is well worth it.. I got a unheard of deal on the Marchesini's - $1170 shipped brand new from Championsonline on Ebay... Read tons of bits & pieces about this conversion issue but nothing solid so I put this together.. Chamiponsonline said there some spacing mods that needed done but thats it for info.. Spent alot of time getting the wheels setup proper - Delt with Steve (Launchzone) for about 2 months helping each other with this wheel kit getting the sizing perfect & this is what his kit uses now.. The parts are machined perfect - he also sells a few other custom motard parts & rides a Yamaha..

Burned ALOT of time messin with these wheels but the pay off is well worth it.. I got a unheard of deal on the Marchesini's - $1170 shipped brand new from Championsonline on Ebay... Read tons of bits & pieces about this conversion issue but nothing solid so I put this together.. Chamiponsonline said there some spacing mods that needed done but thats it for info.. Spent alot of time getting the wheels setup proper - Delt with Steve (Launchzone) for about 2 months helping each other with this wheel kit getting the sizing perfect & this is what his kit uses now.. The parts are machined perfect - he also sells a few other custom motard parts & rides a Yamaha.. Yeah, I heard several things about the Machesini's and fitment...but no answers to it until this thread. :thumbup And holy crap!!! that is an insane deal on those wheels!!! Do they still have them at that price???

They were getting rid of there stock DIRT CHEAP last year probably due to the fact no one was willing to deal with the fitting issues.. Watched a set go with no bids then bid on the next set with no competition.. They are said to be about 3lbs less than Excells best spoked wheels, plus ya dont have to mess with tubes or any of that junk..

They were getting rid of there stock DIRT CHEAP last year probably due to the fact no one was willing to deal with the fitting issues.. Watched a set go with no bids then bid on the next set with no competition.. They are said to be about 3lbs less than Excells best spoked wheels, plus ya dont have to mess with tubes or any of that junk.. yeah, actually my main reason to get them would be the fact that they are tubeless! I had tubes, lol. I wish I could come across a deal like you did!

I will keep an eye out but they are rare...

ok, cool.

Hey Fozz, excellent write up! I love the wheel porn as well haha. I cant afford the marchesini wheels so ill just go with excells/talon/heavy duty spokes for now ( i know a race team guy that cna get them for me new for like 1/2 price) but my question is what width rear do i need? I have 04 yam WR 450f and i dont want to trim the tire to make fit,i dont want it rubing & dont want the chain to slap the rim and mark it all up. I was told that thats not a problem on the WR only the YZ and that a 5 inch rear & a 160 will wokr great, will i need any wheel shims to make this work? Ishould need a 3.5 front wheel as well correct? These will both be 17s. Im sure ill be talking to you ALOT more about getting this WR going.Itll mostly be a street/play bike with some track days & maybe a race here or there. Thanks for your time Dave

Hell ya Dave - I'll help ya out as best I can.. Im really no expert but learned alot on this project build.. From the massive amount of time spent reading / talking to good racers the sizes I got should be right on.. Wheel: 3.5 x 17 front - 5.0 x 17 rear Tire: 120/70ZR17 front - 160/60ZR17 rear If you want a 5 in. rear w/ 160 - your gonna need the Launchzone spacers.. This is not just nessessary for Marchesini / Forged wheels its for Excells also... Later - Mike

Hell ya Dave - I'll help ya out as best I can.. Im really no expert but learned alot on this project build.. From the massive amount of time spent reading / talking to good racers the sizes I got should be right on.. Wheel: 3.5 x 17 front - 5.0 x 17 rear Tire: 120/70ZR17 front 160/60ZR17 rear If you want a 5 in. rear w/ 160 - your gonna need the Launchzone spacers.. This is not just nessessary for Marchesini / Forged wheels its for Excells also... Later - Mike 160 FRONT!!!!!!!!! HOLLY COW that must be the secret i was mising LMAO :riding Thanks for the info. Ill need alittle help on picking out a good "economy" brake setup for the front.I want a good one but cant afford the best right now. I want to hump your Raven Dave

What are you talking about - I see no problems... LOL X 10

lol musta just been my eyes :confused: lol I thought it was a new speed secret or something ya'll do up there in penn. :rock

Hey Fozz, excellent write up! I love the wheel porn as well haha. I cant afford the marchesini wheels so ill just go with excells/talon/heavy duty spokes for now ( i know a race team guy that cna get them for me new for like 1/2 price) but my question is what width rear do i need? I have 04 yam WR 450f and i dont want to trim the tire to make fit,i dont want it rubing & dont want the chain to slap the rim and mark it all up. I was told that thats not a problem on the WR only the YZ and that a 5 inch rear & a 160 will wokr great, will i need any wheel shims to make this work? Ishould need a 3.5 front wheel as well correct? These will both be 17s. Im sure ill be talking to you ALOT more about getting this WR going.Itll mostly be a street/play bike with some track days & maybe a race here or there. Thanks for your time Dave dave, just be forewarned, the rear tire is probably going to get some rubbing from the chain no matter what you do. It isn't a big deal though. But you don't want it hitting the wheel. Mine rubs the tire some but not the wheel at all. It doesn't bother me though.

ok thanks chad. i saw this pic on another post and looked like a neat "safety" device to gaurd against wheel rub.I need to check into those wheel spacers.Whats a set of those sell for? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/SuperDave344/chainrollermotard.jpg

Graves also makes a piece that is supposed to stop the rubbing.

Your running a smaller wheel & tire though Chad.. Steves kit really does wonders to realign things - Im gonna try & pull him over here as hes got Wr450SM with lots of fabrication knowledge. I got plenty of room with no rub on my fat setup.. :flex:

Your running a smaller wheel & tire though Chad.. Steves kit really does wonders to realign things - Im gonna try & pull him over here as hes got Wr450SM with lots of fabrication knowledge. I got plenty of room with no rub on my fat setup.. :flex: that is awesome! yeah, i have the smaller rear wheel, not the 5 inch one. i think mine is a 4.25.

he cant help the fact that his is "smaller" than all the other guys lmao so stop picking on him!! Maybe he'll buy a "bigger" one some day. :)

he cant help the fact that his is "smaller" than all the other guys lmao so stop picking on him!! Maybe he'll buy a "bigger" one some day. :) hahahaha, actually I honestly can't see how the bigger wheels are any better. the tires on these wheels grip like crazy!!!

Bigger wheel = ability to run a bigger tire = more surface contact area on the road.. Or at least that what I read on the SM forums.. Plus it looks mean..:fact http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Good%20Pics/DSC00235Large.jpg

hahahaha, actually I honestly can't see how the bigger wheels are any better. the tires on these wheels grip like crazy!!! OHHHHHHH....... you were talking about wheels lol i just thought you were discussing "other" things sorry for the confusion.:hammer: Yeah i like the look of the bigger wheel/tire combo as well.

Bigger wheel = ability to run a bigger tire = more surface contact area on the road.. Or at least that what I read on the SM forums.. Plus it looks mean..:fact Yeah I agree with that...but it also takes a tad bit away from the handling. bigger tires don't flick as good as smaller ones. that being said I would probably buy a larger wheel if I were to buy another set. at least 4.5 for the rear. It does look nice! but the 160 tires do pretty darn good on the 4.25 wheels as far as hooking up. I doubt I will out perform these wheels and tires anytime soon.

I was interested in getting a WR450F but was not sure if they were street legal...what do you need to make them street legal and where can I get these rims you are all talking about to make it a supermoto bike? I am actually going to VIR this weekend to watch SEMRA guys race the mini's

Scoot - They are not street legal as they come with (off road title).. State laws vary ALOT on what you need to do to the bike to get the title changed from (off road).. CA is the hardest (not technically legal) but guys still do it all the time.. VA is probably one of the easier states.. Here are 2 cool sites with TONS of info.. http://www.supermotojunkie.com/ http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/ Im in the middle of a project - will get ya more info if your truly interested.. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/DSC00773Large.jpg

I am truly interested, i would go buy one tomorrow if I could put some wheels on it and make it street legal.....thanks for the sites...please get back to me

check with your local DMV to see what they require to transfer the title from off road to on road. Here in ohio it was a simple paper that needed filled out saying you made al nessesary change to the bike to make it road leagal (headlight,tail light,brake light,speedo,horn,ect) and they dont even come out to inspect the bike! but if you get stopped and its not leagle then its your butt thats on the line. All ive done to my 04 WR450 is add 17inch wheels with street tires,320mm front brake rotor with relocation braket for the stock caliper,steel braided front line & high temp brake fluid.I changed gearing from stock 14/50 to 15/40 & it works great.I bought a brake light pressure switch and added it to the rear master cylinder and connected the wires.The rear light is already a brake light with the correct buld installed but the wire need to be run from the new switch to the tail light plug in & youve a breaklight! I have a trail tech vapor instrament setup but its currently not installed yet. I made a plate braket out of some cheap angle bracket from lowes & cut & painted it ot look nice & bolted it ot the tail light mounting bolt. I dont have a light for it but its plenty visable so i dont think ill get messed with plus i dont ride in alot at night. Hope this helps.......NOW GO GET ONE!!!! hahaha

Thanks fer that help Dave, Ebay has deals on SM Wheels - Excell is a good brand / Marchesini (of course).. Lets see what the Godfather can do fer ya.. www.tobefast.com And your in luck as im starting a business fabricating SM parts for Yamaha's..:rock :thumbup :thumbup

sweet! we always need new suppliers of yamaha parts. Keep us posted.

Alright I am going to the Yamaha dealer today to scoop up my new WR450. I am going to look for the Marchesni wheels, love the look...where is a good place to get them? thanks for the help fellas...

cool. you better make plans to do the convention next year then! Looks like we need to do a R1 Forum supermoto ride or trackday before long.

These are brand new & lightness wise are probally the best for Supermoto besides a set of $3500 BST's.. Alot lighter than Excell Spoked Wheels.. http://www.tobefast.com/carrozv6-yz-450f-supermoto-kit-c-53018-p-1-pr-1739.html This kit will save ya some major bucks bro.. # Made From 6151-T6 Aluminum/CNC Machined # Designed for street and race track use # Super Light Weight 7.8 lbs (front), 13.4 lbs (rear) # Approved DOT (USA), TUV (Europe) & JWL (Japan) # 5 Year Warranty http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/Quick%20Pics/carrozzeriaSUPERMOTO.jpg

sweet wheels for sure but outta my price range.

Has any one taken there bike to a track with a dirt section? I have seen lots of supermoto bikes with mag wheels i just havn't seen any one jump with them i can't imagine them lasting very long on jumps.

NEVER read 1 story of Forged Supermoto wheels failing yet - under any conditions. Pro's rock them - alot of forum guys race / jump them. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/Quick%20Pics/009.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/Quick%20Pics/prezffeko0_1156773853.jpg BST on Yamaha 450 Streetard http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Other%20Pics/frontwheelleft.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Other%20Pics/rearwheeel.jpg

sweet wheels for sure but outta my price range. I thought the price was high at first but Wheels - 2 Wave rotors - Caliper - Brake adapter - sprcket = Big total savings on kit..

I hadn't heard of any failing either thats why i was wondering i have seen the pros slam into some nasty metal ramps and land flat land on pavement too. But you hardly ever hear about all the stuff pros break. I guess rocks would be there worst enemy then.

Dirt / Muds cools but my pretty wheels avoid any type of rock for sure... Solid Mofos.. Forged Tech http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00779.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00779.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/th_DSC00801.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/TL1000R/WR/Wheels/DSC00801.jpg) Ive done a few 10ft airs - suspension takes most of impact.

Nice stuff, im still a long ways off from getting a pair since i don't even have a full size dirt bike any more but i am building a mini supermoto that im excited about and have way to much money in. Keep getting evil thoughts of selling the R1 and building a nasty YZF or WR

I still need to get wheels for supermoto i want to run a 12/12 setup but im not sure if i have enough room in the rear. I think im looking at around 300 for a built rear wheel the wide 12inch wheels are pricey.

Back to topic - gabbin like a bunch of old hens on my How To thread, post your bike pics in the tard pic thread - chit chat via PM..:secret:

Sorry i will control myself

Holy crap! that is a deal! and i love the writeup, i will keep it on file.