Al brings up the other really good reason for increasing the wheel diameter-
you can fit bigger front brakes in there!  The Van Cafe Big Brake Kit makes
a big difference in stopping ability - not only are the discs 1" and vented,
the pads are soooo much bigger!

Jake

On Mon, Apr 19, 2010 at 12:26 PM, Al Knoll <anasasi@gmail.com> wrote:

> As Evan mentions below, the change in effective wheel/tire diameter gives
> less 'thrust' at the road surface since the torque is acting over a greater
> moment arm (distance from the center of the wheel to the ground).  There is
> also the inverse problem, the braking force/torque is also reduced by the
> same amount, so your braking, already a bit iffy sometimes gets worse.
> Pensionerd. (Al Knol)
>
> >
> > There are downsides, also, that need to be watched out for. Increasing
> tire
> > diameter lowers your effective torque at the road surface. Since we are
> SO
> > torque limited to begin with, you may not want to go to the biggest tires
> > you can fit in the wheel wells. There are wheel bearing life issues, not
> to
> > mention speedometer accuracy problems.
> >
> > Ask careful questions, decide on your trade-offs, and make your change.
> Any
> > increase will help. And even if you keep the same effective rolling
> > diameter, but on 15" or even 16" wheels, it will be noticable.
> >
> > Evan Mac Donald
> >
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27