Trail CT70 10inch wheels in a z50 hardtail frame

[blacufo]

Started mocking up my new z50 project. I had a nice set of early trail70 wheels with almost new tires on them and really thought they would look good on a z50. I know I have seen the oversized tires on the stock 8 inch rims, but getting a stock trail70 wheel stuffed into the hardtail seemed like the right thing to do. Using the stock z50 outer hubs for the front, the spacing and fit is dead on. With the stock z50 front end it fills up the front nice. For the rear I also used the stock outer hub. I had to machine about 1/2 inch out of the offset for the stock z50 hub to make it fit. But the offset on the sproket side with the ct70 wheel is the same as the stock z50 wheels. You cant get a rear fender in the rear even with the wheel adjusted as far back as it goes, but I think it almost looks better without the fenders on it. Plans are to go with the candy red combo, stock silver on the motor and wheels. May need to tweak the gearing ones I get it going but Im thinking it may be a real mover on the top end with the bigger tires.

 

[scooter]

Front looks tight. Is there enough clearance to allow for front shock travel?

 

[Frozen Cold]

LOL!!! i just pictured the first bump ya hit!

 

[blacufo]

HAHA I guess that pic is not the best one to illustrate it. There is about a 1 1/2 between the front tire and head of the engine. With the front suspension fully compressed, you can still slide a pencil in between the tire and the head believe it or not. Got it apart now going through the whole bike. Ill post more pics of more angles once she is done and all back together.

 

[69ST]

Tire-to-head clearance is tight on hardtails. Some guys have to run aftermarket front ends, especially when any engine taller than a stocker is used. Personally, I like the hotrod character that 10-inchers give these early bikes.

As for dialing-in fitment, fenders are not out-of-the-question. They're more a matter of fabbing adapter brackets and/or sourcing different fenders. If you are willing to consider street tires, there are 10-inch sizes with shorter sidewalls...could make just enough difference to realize your objective(s)

 

[blacufo]

Personally, I think it looks better without fenders with the bigger wheels anyway. I don't plan on jumping it so the little clearance I have compressed is plenty and Im sticking with the stock cylinder and head

 

[69ST]

As I always say..."it's your bike, build it the way you want it"

Thought you might enjoy seeing a pair of custom hardtails with oversized wheels...

 

[blacufo]

Thanks racerx, those are sweet

 

[scooter]

HAHA I guess that pic is not the best one to illustrate it. There is about a 1 1/2 between the front tire and head of the engine. With the front suspension fully compressed, you can still slide a pencil in between the tire and the head believe it or not. Got it apart now going through the whole bike. Ill post more pics of more angles once she is done and all back together.

blacufo - if you want a little more than a pencil clearance, could you add a spacer (i.e. washer(s)) into the front fork before you push the springs in??? I like the look