Author Topic: Next up: Restoring Lester wheels! (Read 10275 times)

Scott S · « **on:** February 17, 2013, 01:41:52 PM »

Since I already have a thread on Henry Abes going http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=116960.0 , I thought I'd also share my ongoing Lester wheel resto, too.

I was surfing ebay for some XS650 parts a couple of months ago and came across a listing for some mag wheels, "probably from a Yamaha". Yes, Yamaha did have some factory mags that look very much like Lesters, but what caught my eye on these was the 18" rear wheel with drum brake. Yamaha only had 16" rears (at least for the XS650) and they were mostly rear discs, with very few sold with the rear drum.
A closer look revealed these to be Lesters so I hit the "Buy It Now" button VERY quickly. I got these wheels for $29 each, plus shipping! That's right....I got a set of the very rare CB500/550 Lesters with the 18" rear for less than $100!

Here are the pics I grabbed from the ad:

One of the tell-tale signs was the weld on the rear wheel (along with the fact that it was an 18 inch wheel).

When they showed up, the number on the rear confirmed that it was, indeed, the desireable 18" rear.

Greggo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2013, 01:43:16 PM »

Nice. You saw how I did mine, yes?

Scott S · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2013, 01:47:53 PM »

I had a heck of a time getting the bearing retainer out of the Henry Abes but, luckily, this one came out without a fight. It's even in good enough shape that I can re-use it.

You may have seen that I had bad luck trying to spray paint the H.A.'s, but I believe that was because of two reasons: A) I soda blasted them and may not have gotten them clean enough, and B) they were anodized.
The Lesters are painted and I've had good luck painting another set. These went on my Sweep The Floor bike. I didn't spend ANY time trying to make them too pretty, just a quick tape and spray-bomb.

That has held up well on the STF bike...

Scott S · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2013, 01:48:12 PM »

Quote from: Greggo on February 17, 2013, 01:43:16 PM

Nice. You saw how I did mine, yes?

Probably, but have a link?

Scott S · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2013, 01:50:17 PM »

Two of the nuts on the sprocket studs were stuck...tight. They backed out the studs when removing them. I tried chasing the threads, but ended up getting two new studs from Honda.

Scott S · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2013, 01:52:56 PM »

The front wheel cleaned up nicely.

Scott S · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:00:06 PM »

The rear took a little work. After degreasing both wheels, I took a wire brush, red Scotch-Brite pad, 400 and 600 grit sand paper to the rear wheel.
I also had to use a brass drift to punch out the cush drive cover. There was just so much dirt, grease and brake dust in there. It's all been cleaned up now.

It looks cruddy, but it's actually pretty smooth to the touch. I still need to wash both wheels again. Next up, I'll drop them off to have the lips polished. I'm going to ask what can be done with the raised edges on the spokes. I'd like to preserve those and have them polished as well, as long as they don't charge me a fortune.

Scott S · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:00:38 PM »

Once back from polishing, I'll tape them up, prime and paint. Stay tuned!

Greggo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:34:11 PM »

No link..I just lightly sandblasted 'em..primed, then painted. I guess I didn't restore them as much as make them nicely look the way I wanted

Scott S · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2013, 12:47:58 PM »

Got the Lesters back from the polisher. H&H Polishing in Charlotte, NC always do an awesome job!
I was a little surprised when the price tripled when I asked about getting the ribs on the spokes polished!

Apparently, there's a lot of hand polishing involved there and it's very labor intensive. Oh, well...I don't have much money at all in the purchase price of these wheels. The 18" rear is very rare and you don't see many Lesters at all with the polished ribs. Plus, the bike that they're going on could use the accents.

Next up: the tedious and boring task of taping the wheels for paint.

Greggo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:02:34 PM »

I must say, those look beautiful. If it wasn't so cost prohibitive to have brought mine back to that condition I definitely would have gone for it.

Scott S · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2013, 04:11:57 PM »

It wasn't that bad. So far, I still have less $$ in the set than what the rear wheel is worth.

Already have the front taped and cleaned with acetone. I'll work on the rear over the weekend (stupid job...why couldn't I have been born rich instead of good looking).

I'll also hit them with Preps-All just before priming.