Topic: CB550F aftermarket/oem rim questions, opinions

[TyMatthews]

Hello all-

I'm in the process of restoring my '75 550F (see signature for project link) and am trying to decide what to do with my rims.  I've decided to go with essentially stock tire sizes of 90/90-19 front and 100/90-18 rear as I plan to ride this thing when it's done and not replace tires every other year due to uneven wear.  This means I can re-use the stock rims and spokes.  The trouble I have is that the rims are pitted and the spokes are quite oxidized, so trying to either polish them myself or have them done professionally may not be worth the time/effort/cost.  I've found some aftermarket rims with stock holes from David Silver Spares that are quite reasonable (~$50 US each), as well as some much more pricey options from Buchanan's.

This is a not a stock resto, as I've already made a number of major alterations, so I don't have any need to stay with the originals.  I will be re-using the stock hubs since they're in good shape and can just be polished out.  I care most about aesthetics, quality, and durability... that is, a nice polished finish that will last for many years with little maintenance.  To these ends, I seek your opinion.  Have any of you purchased the aftermarket or OEM (DID) rims from David Silver and are willing to comment on their quality?  $50 for an aftermarket rim seems too good to be true... is it?  Any other recommendations for aftermarket "plug in" replacements that won't break the bank?

Thanks in advance!  Summer is rapidly approaching (supposed to be above 70 F tomorrow here in the Twin Cities), so I'm really looking forward to getting this project done ASAP.

[LesterPiglet]

I bought a rim from Silver years ago so probably not the same supplier, it's a Takasago.
The chrome is good but if you look very closely you can see machining marks under the chrome, a bit like brush strokes.
You need to be down on your knees to notice. I'm happy at the price I paid.

[thep1pe]

There was a thread on here some months ago about the poor quality of the aftermarket rims fro DSS, not the DID OEM one's. IIRC the spoke holes on the aftermarket rims were not to spec.


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[Dimitri13]

I purchased a set of aluminum shouldered rims off ebay for $90 ea + free shipping (a huge plus living in Hawaii). Quality looks good and reviews look good. Haven't been able to lace them up or ride on them though.

Just search for WM2 and WM3 on ebay and you should find what you're looking for. 1.85x19 and 2.15x18, both 40-hole.

[thep1pe]

Here's the link about poor spoke holes

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=119331.msg1349965#msg1349965

[calj737]

If your budget allows, buy aluminum rims and stainless spokes. Lighter weight wheels and stronger spokes, plus far more resilient to corrosion.

[TyMatthews]

Thanks for the feedback.  I suppose the old adage "you get what you pay for" is almost always valid.

If your budget allows, buy aluminum rims and stainless spokes. Lighter weight wheels and stronger spokes, plus far more resilient to corrosion.

Do you have any recommendations on a particular brand/vendor?  I like the idea of aluminum rims for weight reduction.

[calj737]

I'm big on Buchanans spokes and rims, Sun. Excels are also very. Highly recommended and widely used. I've got 2 new wheels for my 500 build shipping back to me tomorrow. I think it's Tsunami who has a build running with recent pics of their Sun rims in unpolished finish.