Wide Rear Tire - advice on ways to run it

[79josh81]

So the title says it all. I recently purchased a beat up 81 special II that I’m going to be working on to get running again. My ultimate goal is another bobber or chopper build but i’ve never prepared the frame for a wide rear tire which i’m really wanting to eventually do with this one.

I’ve researched some and I’m assuming i’ll need a wider rear wheel obviously, jack shaft or offset sprocket kit, and potentially a wider weld on hardtail.

For the guys who have done this, what route do you recommend and where and what parts should I use to make this happen as easy as possible. Also, what is the widest tire you’ve been able to fit on a standard weld on hardtail for the XS (like a TC bros or Voodoo) when using a jack shaft or offset sprocket kit?

 

[Eotnak]

As far as I can tell the kits are for stock tires. You have to buy a universal kit and break out the jig and welder to go any wider. There is no "easy as possible" in this project. Good luck, don't let hard work ruin your imagination!

 

[member3480]

I have done 200 rear tire with a universal kit. You need the wheel / tire / axle before you start welding. Plus if you do not have a jig I would make up a table to weld off of. Everything has to be level. I have done Harley's with 240 and 300 tire but there is much more around for them. If you have deep pockets I would buy a Harley big tire frame and weld on the XS650 front.
This is a 200 tire using GSXR wheels on KZ 750 . Universal TC Brothers kit. Other picture is 4.5 inch rim on XS650 to handle 160 tire

 

[79josh81]

I have done 200 rear tire with a universal kit. You need the wheel / tire / axle before you start welding. Plus if you do not have a jig I would make up a table to weld off of. Everything has to be level. I have done Harley's with 240 and 300 tire but there is much more around for them. If you have deep pockets I would buy a Harley big tire frame and weld on the XS650 front.
This is a 200 tire using GSXR wheels on KZ 750 . Universal TC Brothers kit. Other picture is 4.5 inch rim on XS650 to handle 160 tire

How did you get the sprockets lined up? I'm assuming the reason you used a universal kit was to make the axle spacing wider?

 

[member3480]

You have to get the proper plate to plate spacing for everything to line up. Stock TCBrothers plate to plate is 8.5" and you need to get to 10" on some wheels for proper spacing.
All three of these bikes are 10" plate to plate and NO sprocket spacing but I did have to make my own spacers for wheels . Two were 3/4 " axle