lacing up smaller front wheel, super motard style

[njtc@mail.ocis.net]

Hello everyone! Been MIA for a few weeks so if this topic has been discussed, apologies in advance. Anyone have experience in, or comments on, the idea of lacing up a KLR hub to an 18/19" front wheel, like on the front end of the BMW650? 99% of my KLR time is highway/road/hard pack dirt. It has proved itself to be a worthy road machine (I just put it to bed for the season after putting 14,00km on since I got it June 1) and I feel inclined to enhance the road-worthy side of its nature. Having ridden the BMW650 I found that although it (the BMW) is a more soundly constructed machine (with brakes!) the power characterisitcs of the two are similar, and somehow the KLR is just more, IT. Anyhoo my idea is to search the salvage yards for a hub and rim and put the two together......just cos. Well, it's winter her in BC soon- ish and I need something to while away the time. Yes, I appreciate that the change would probably not make much difference to the handling since the regular 21" wheel with Avon Gripsters sticks like you-know-what to you-know-what. Any comments appreciated. Nick aka Gromit A13 PS Did the "Skips fuel tank mod" to get the last dregs of gas out of the right of the tank before it goes on reserve; mixed feelings about it since although it means I go further before going on real reserve I have not yet had the bottle to see exactly how far I can go on a tank full.