Topic: Fed up with Buchanans. Anyone else make custom spokes?

[Stoli]

Buchanans can't seem to get it right unless you ship them the hub and rim or a pair of sample spokes to use as a template. They lead you to believe that they can make spokes by telling them the hub type and the rim type and/or dimensions but they can't. I've tried 3 sets of custom spokes from them and the only ones they got right were when I sent them a sample from the previous wheel. Otherwise it becomes an exercise in sending their first attempt back (at your own expense) and waiting weeks for them to try to get it right. They don't offer to cover return shipping, nor will they expedite the shipping back to you. They might have a quality product when they finally get it right but their customer service sucks. Are there any other companies that make custom spokes for Honda hubs?

[toytuff]

Well that's good to know. Was just at the Web Page.

Sorry for the hassel as I have had the same issues building the CA78.

tt

[KrautKoffin]

In this for answers too

[Dream750]

You can check with the wheel works in Garden Grove, CA.

http://www.wheel-works.com/
 
(714) 530-6681
 
They made Honda spokes and did custom/stock wheel building back in the heyday, perhaps they still do?

I left the LA bike scene back in 1985, so I’m definitely out of touch here.

[bwaller]

Too bad you had issues with Buchanan's, I have never had anything but praise for them. I built eight wheels over three years and the only pain was in my wallet. It is bloody expensive making nice wheels.

[tweakin]

Too bad you had issues with Buchanan's, I have never had anything but praise for them. I built eight wheels over three years and the only pain was in my wallet. It is bloody expensive making nice wheels.

+1 I have to agree with bwaller, 4 sets of wheels and nothing but praise for Buchanan's.  Not cheap but have always been right the first time, sorry for your issues.

[bjbuchanan]

Harsh had a hard time with them too

[Stev-o]

Too bad you had issues with Buchanan's, I have never had anything but praise for them. I built eight wheels over three years and the only pain was in my wallet. It is bloody expensive making nice wheels.

+1 I have to agree with bwaller, 4 sets of wheels and nothing but praise for Buchanan's.  Not cheap but have always been right the first time, sorry for your issues.

+1 recently had one built for my Z1, wasn't cheap but great workmanship.  Sorry to hear.

[calj737]

+1. Never had a problem with them. Ordered and delivered exactly as advertised. Perhaps, your "custom" data is not consisted with what they're requiring? Not to sound snappish, but send them a sample or a hub and get it right the first time. Saves you in the long run, no?

[Stoli]

... Not to sound snappish, but send them a sample or a hub and get it right the first time. Saves you in the long run, no?

That's my point. As I mentioned, I don't have any gripes with the final product, but if they can't deliver it right the first time around, then they should not lead you to believe that they can.

On my third custom wheel rebuild, I was wary going in so I contacted their tech support to make sure they had EXACTLY what they needed as far as hub and rim model and manufacturer. I was assured that they had all they needed and I didn't need to send them the hub or rim. The spokes I received were a good 1/4" too long. So I took a deep breath, contacted them and of course they said they would fix them after I sent them back at my expense. That was back on the 16th of December. I really needed them before they closed for Xmas, so I sent them back via FedEx 2 day shipping because I was assured that if they had them by Thursday the 19th, they could get them back to me before Xmas. They actually arrived in their shop on Wednesday the 18th. Well, it is now 10 days later and I don't have my spokes.

In my book, that is piss poor customer service and I think that anyone who is planning on buying a set of spokes from them should beware. If you search the forum, you will find others have had similar problems. So, if you can't find what you need from them in one of their prepackaged kits, then make sure you add a bunch of cash for shipping and plan on 3-4 weeks or more before you have a set of spokes that actually work. Or, of course you can shell out the extra $50 up front and ship them your hub and rim.

[joesmotos]

Call Woodys Wheel Works in Denver,Co.-they might be able to help.

[754]

Just a suggestion, send a tracing of both types of spoke, and accurate measurements of hub and rim

It the only things that can determine custom spoke lengths and bends.

 Not saying you did anything wrong, but 40 yr old bikes can have mismatched components.

 Anyone know where I can get unthreaded blanks?..i would like to roll my own..

[Stoli]

Just a suggestion, send a tracing of both types of spoke, and accurate measurements of hub and rim

I did send them measurements of the hub and rim. Didn't have any spokes to trace though. Still didn't work.

On my first wheel, I was relacing a '78 CB750K rear. I have no doubt that the hub and rim were stock. They f#cked that one up as well. They got the bends in the spokes wrong. Couldn't even get the spokes through the holes in the hub.

[Ichiban 4]

Just a suggestion here..but both FedEx and UPS were notoriously slow on deliveries this year.  Lots of folks complaining about stuff sent by them..arriving late..not until after Christmas. So..perhaps this complicated your situation Stoli?

I'm originally from So. California.  Buchanan's has a pretty bullet-proof reputation..for over 50 years I know about.  They are very careful to explain that if you want to get it right..send everything you think they'll need to determine which spokes work best.  They also say that if you're using undrilled rims to start with..they won't guarantee fit unless they either drill themselves..or you send them the drilled rims for them to match-up the spokes.  They've always been very upfront about telling you what they can and can't do..from what I've seen.  And yes they're expensive by some measures.  But quality and consistency seems to be that way..from my experience.

On the other hand..the Wheel Works place that Dream gave the URL to seems pretty good from their website..and probably cheaper than Buchanan's..if price is important concern.

Just wanted to say that with anything custom..and to get right..it usually takes some jockeying..remeasuring to get right.  Custom bike wheels no exception..if may suggest.  I try to see these folks that are obviously trying to do a good job..as associates I'm working with..rather than magicians. Then when inevitable problems arise..we can work them out as team..rather than adversaries..

My two cents..

Ichi

[J man]

I just wanna say I also had a good experience with buchanan's.  Before I called them I had only built bicycle wheels. I explained what I was trying to do and they mailed me the right spokes, worked great.

[alacrity]

The word "custom" in the OP's post says lots IMHO.    I have had three sets of Honda wheels done by Buchanan's recently and plenty more back in the 90s and 00's when I was doing other kinds of bikes.  The only time it got weird was when we were experimenting with a 50 spoke radial lacing design.  That took a couple tries.  But this is normal if you are (as we were quite literally) reinventing the wheel.  In my experience, their in house machinery tubes out beautiful parts, and their Qc is unparalleled. If you want it to be right, send them samples, or email photos with super precise measurements down to thousandths.  If it's an especially tricky thing you're doing ask the cust serv tech for ken or his brother... They were literally raised in the shop and know all there is to know about this stuff.


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[Harsh]

Harsh had a hard time with them too

Yep sure did.  They couldn't make a spoke to fit correctly unless I sent them the hub and wheel.  This was for a 75 GL rim on a 74K hub.  From what I understand and they confirmed the 75 GL rim is the same as the 74K just made from aluminum.

[KrautKoffin]

The word "custom" in the OP's post says lots IMHO.    I have had three sets of Honda wheels done by Buchanan's recently and plenty more back in the 90s and 00's when I was doing other kinds of bikes.  The only time it got weird was when we were experimenting with a 50 spoke radial lacing design.  That took a couple tries.  But this is normal if you are (as we were quite literally) reinventing the wheel.  In my experience, their in house machinery tubes out beautiful parts, and their Qc is unparalleled. If you want it to be right, send them samples, or email photos with super precise measurements down to thousandths.  If it's an especially tricky thing you're doing ask the cust serv tech for ken or his brother... They were literally raised in the shop and know all there is to know about this stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey, do you mind deleting your life story out of your sig? I don't need to know what unique fabric you used on your seat and I doubt anyone else gives a #$%*.

I'll be dealing with buchanans in the coming weeks, but I'm hand delivering my parts because if I was in the OPs position someone would be losing teeth.

[Cqyqte]

Buchanan's like any business needs to deal with a wide range of customers, who's integrity varies considerably.  I ordered a year back a set of rims and spokes for a build from them and found one rim had been marked incorrectly and was not drilled correctly for my  hub spoke combination.  I contacted them with photos of the error and they said they would exchange the wrong rim.  Because they don't know me from previous dealings they said for me to return the rim and they would send out the replacement.  I asked if they could forward the replacement and I would return the incorrect one as soon as I received the replacement.  I was advised that they used to do that but got burned way too many times by individuals not sending the return. And they went further to suggest they could send the new one if I gave them a credit card to cover the cost, I did and when I received the new one I used the box to return the mis-drilled rim.  When they received my return they credited my card with both shipping charges and the rim cost.

My down time was three days and I did not have to pay anymore for their screw up.  As a matter of fact I made a couple of dollars because the exchange rate changed in my favor over the period of the transactions.  So Buchanan's in my books demonstrated excellent customer service.

[calj737]

Yep, just dealt with them again this week and as previously, they've been great. Called me 3 times to advise some issues and seek my preference on remedy, and lastly, to inform me the work is completed and in its way. I did send my hubs to them in this case as they are custom mountings. Yes, it costs more intially, but time and shipping expenses add up. If you want it right the first time, send it to them, get the spoke cut and installed, and have everything shipped back.

Custom creates opportunities for errors. How you measure will effect the outcome versus how they measure.

[Retro Rocket]

Hey, do you mind deleting your life story out of your sig? I don't need to know what unique fabric you used on your seat and I doubt anyone else gives a #$%*.

 Then don't #$%*ing read it ....

[Stev-o]

Just laced up my K4 rim with Buchanan's stainless spokes, cant beat em....

[KrautKoffin]

Hey, do you mind deleting your life story out of your sig? I don't need to know what unique fabric you used on your seat and I doubt anyone else gives a #$%*.

 Then don't #$%*ing read it ....

Wouldn't that same methodology apply to you?
I'm viewing from my phone and don't like scrolling 2 pages to get through this dope's signature!

[seanbarney41]

Hey, do you mind deleting your life story out of your sig? I don't need to know what unique fabric you used on your seat and I doubt anyone else gives a #$%*.

 Then don't #$%*ing read it ....

Wouldn't that same methodology apply to you?
I'm viewing from my phone and don't like scrolling 2 pages to get through this dope's signature!

oh       my       gawd


#$%*ing waaaaah

[KrautKoffin]

Hey, do you mind deleting your life story out of your sig? I don't need to know what unique fabric you used on your seat and I doubt anyone else gives a #$%*.

 Then don't #$%*ing read it ....

Wouldn't that same methodology apply to you?
I'm viewing from my phone and don't like scrolling 2 pages to get through this dope's signature!

oh       my       gawd


#$%*ing waaaaah

Love you too