new guy!!! new wheels??

[idmini]

Hello all fellow scooter owners. I picked up and '01 honda elite sr a couple of weeks ago and have been a lurker on this site since then. I have tried to review all the posting with things I want to do and I am pretty set performance wise with the parts I want and the expectations I will receive from them for a great site. I do have one question that I cannot find a direct answer for so I guess i need to ask. i NEED tires bad. Its my understanding that the elite uses a faily small tube type tire. I would like to upgrade to a tubeless set up and while I am at it would like to get a nice set of rims. My question. I see a lot out there for the ruckus and others and from what I have read it looks like a wheel for the honda metropolitan or ruckus fits on the elite is this true? Hope someone can help me out and it is not a repeat question.

[odinxxix]

you will have to do some research on the brake hub, not sure the size the eliete has, but i think i read somewhere that the metro whell fits perfect BUT dont quote me on it.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

I know first-hand that a Metropolitan rear wheel fits perfectly and without issues. It's a little wider (2.15" vs. stock Elite 1.85"), and so the tire profile is better -less "balloon-ey" than on the narrower rim. It also uses a Tubeless-type bead flange, so you can safely mount without a tube.

I have no first-hand knowledge about fitting a Met front rim. I seem to remember an issue but can't recall exactly what it was. Ruckus rims (and presumably aftermarket wheels for the Ruck...) are considerably wider, and if I had to guess I'd say they won't clear the belt case, certainly not with the 120mm tire installed.

[bradthreee]

I'm not 100% sure but the "dio" wheels are tubeless and im pretty sure than you can use those...

[bakaracer]

Dio rims are tubeless but you will only be able to use the back rim only unless you do a disc brake swap,then you can run the front.as for aftermarket rims,if your in hawaii you can find some taiwan centerlines ,holes or ensure rims and use the arnada hubs.the front hub you will have to change the bearing from a 12mm to a 10mm.the back rims for the dio,ruckus and metro are all 95mm brakes.

[idmini]

Hey thanks for all the responses. I will have to do a little more searching for a dio front set up, whippin out the check book right now lolz.

[idmini]

Somthings about a larger bearing and different brake shoes on these? anybody know anything about it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2759.l1259

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings;

The Elite front drum diameter is 95mm. You must thus upgrade the brake panel to a 110mm in addition to the bearings. Before going to all that trouble, consider that a 60+ MPH scooter just cries out for a disc.

[bradthreee]

Also remember that 70% of the braking is done with the front brakes

[Lunytune]

Also remember that 70% of the braking is done with the front brakes

That may apply to the auto and small truck, but can you say it applies to a scooter/cycle which allows the rider to control front and rear separately? Also weight distribution differs between a car and a scooter. This 70% factor is the reason you don't want to hit the brakes on ice or slick pavement. Hit the front brakes harder on a scooter and the rearend may come around to take the lead. Ever watch a trick bike rider, do his quick reversal? He's trained, not advisable for the amateur.

I might also add that truckers (commercial size, not 1/2ton pickup) back off the adjustment of steering axle so that the drivers (rear axle) do most of the braking.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Brad The Cubed is wise, and speaks the truth. Under hard braking, any vehicle's center of gravity, being higher than the road surface, shifts to the front wheel(s), while the rear just skims the pavement.

MSF, AMA, and HD's Rider's Edge courses all quote that 70% figure. Also consider modern sportbikes' brake setups; massive twin front rotors gripped by multi-piston radial calipers, with a tiny 1 or 2 piston rear binder.

Scooters' weight distribution is a bit different, so maybe the ratio is closer to 68.9%.

[idmini]

Yes there are physics involved but realize that braking is like accelerating you can only apply so much. once the wheel (front or rear) comes off the ground any MORE power applied (brakes or gas) only continues the rotation it does not increase accel/decel. Choppers minibike and pedal bike seem to do ok with just the rear. But back to topic, I am looking to get out of the tube tires but with out any rims available it looks like a front swap is necessary, any easy ideas or am i on my own with my welder. Hmm, maybe something off a small dirt bike.....