Selecting rim width

[BCRD]

Need a hand choosing rim diameters for my rd400 from buchannons. It's for the 18" shouldered rims and they list 1.6, 1.85, 2.15, 2.50. I was thinking it would be safe to upgrade to Daytona widths. But what about the 2.5 option. Is that just too wide? I will be running a dg swingarm. What's eveyones thoughts

[Jspooner]

Go with 1.85 front and 2.15 rear.

[SUPERTUNE]

I like the bigger tire feel myself.
Because you have the swingarm to support them...
2.15 front 2.50 rear with avons.

[BCRD]

Any ill effects of running that rim size chuck? Will it feel less responsive then the Daytona size? Also tires I bought are 90/90 and 110/80 battleaxes but could try another size if needed

[m in sc]

i have wide rims on my bike with correct tire sizes. as long as the tires are sized to the rim, it will feel just fine.

[SUPERTUNE]

Any ill effects of running that rim size chuck? Will it feel less responsive then the Daytona size? Also tires I bought are 90/90 and 110/80 battleaxes but could try another size if needed

Stay with Joe's recommendation with those sizes...
You would want 110/80 front and 120/90 rear with my rim sizes using Avon am26 roadriders
with 80 on front and 90 on rear it's pretty good as I'm an old roadracer and didn't like real fast turn in with the smaller tire and speed.
C

[BCRD]

Will the stock fender fit over the 110/80 front? And can I run a 120/80 rear? What will it feel like vs the 90. It just looks like a huge tire

[so-cal-sdr200]

 I used the Excel Shouldered rims from Buchanan's for my '73 RD250 project.
Front 1.85 and rear 2.15.  I also bought the BT45's in 90/90 front and 110/80 rear.
They seem to fit fine and look correct. I have not ridden on them yet as the project
is still ongoing.
Cheers, Jeff

[zedixe13]

RZ350 use 2.15 in front and 2.50 rear . I have some RZ wheels on one of my LC and they fit perfectly with 100/90 in front and 120/80 in the rear . Width of the LC swing arm is the same as the RD400 .

[SUPERTUNE]

Will the stock fender fit over the 110/80 front? And can I run a 120/80 rear? What will it feel like vs the 90. It just looks like a huge tire

I don't remember... use Sakis TZ fenders now.
I do know way back when I ran a 4.10 front, NO the stock fender didn't fit.
C

[Yamaha 179]

Joe and Chuck both give good advice.  Our race bikes have a mixture of wheel sizes.  I prefer 1.85/2.15 and my son prefers 2.15/2.50.
Those wheel sizes were developed over years of racing RDs and GP bikes and Paul is a much better rider than I was but he is now racing a RD 250 with 90/90-18 and 110/80-18 Avons mounted on my old wheels and is very happy with them.  The tracks we are racing now, Roebling Road, Talladega GP, and Barber are not stressing those size tires even on the Formula 500 RD 400s.  These are non-DOT tires but even the DOT approved tires are very good and I don't think our lightweight machines will stress them.
Lyn Garland