Author Topic: Is it just me or..... (Read 4324 times)

gregwaits · « **on:** January 15, 2007, 10:40:40 AM »

Is it just me? I seem to prefer the look of old school spoked wheels over these modular 'comstar' wheels. And I favor the classic look of the pre-80's bikes. I like the distinct separation between tank, side panel and seat. As things 'improved', everything changed and it all started to take on a more modern appearance.

I guess I am an old fart after all.

jevfro · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2007, 10:57:14 AM »

I agree, although I used to think that comstars would look good on my 750, but after I rebuilt my spoked rear wheel I decided that I like the look of spokes much more. There are some really good looking SOHC4's out there with comstars though... don't get me wrong! I'll have to find that second bike and put some on it so I can have one of each!

Dusthawk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2007, 11:42:38 AM »

If it means anything, just try to imagine Rita wearing Comstars. Besides, I doubt they make em in 21".

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

DammitDan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:02:03 PM »

I dunno, I like the mag rims on my CB650. Gives it more of a streetfighter look.

That, and my spokes were all nasty and rusty and would randomly loosen on me. A dangerous situation to say the least

I'm gonna take some pics when I find a digital camera so I can show off my new cafe fairing as well (my avatar and gallery pics are all from before I put the mags on)

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:05:39 PM »

One look at my screen name and you'll know how I feel about it!

petercb750 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:20:38 PM »

Us GHOFs have such good taste - it shows when so many of the young dudes are trying now to match what we did back in the 60s and 70s and thought was just a normal life - SOHCs included!!!
I've got 2 70's bikes (both SOHC) and 3 70's cars - so you know where I stand on things..........

Oh, and to answer the original question - yes, spokes rule.
Peter.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:24:51 PM »

I am a big fan of the oldschool stuff, ala my bikes, car, the pin-up women I love so much, etc..
Modern stuff does have it's place in my heart as well, just not my "thing" so to speak..

supersport_CB400F · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:30:48 PM »

My alloy wheels are older than my bike

DammitDan · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:37:05 PM »

Aren't mag rims better for cornering and high-speed maneuvering? I mean, they're inherently gonna have less flex than spoked rims just in their design.

That, and mag rims are safer when you get a flat

I'll take safety over looks any day. It's why I wear a big full face while all my friends wear half shields or brain buckets. Sure I can't hear them well when they scream at me while we're riding down the road, but at least I know my face will still be there when I fall off.

petercb750 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2007, 01:05:28 PM »

That's true Dan, mag wheels are stronger (well most of them) but I guess what I have done is make some compromises - on my spoked SOHC I wear new gear, armour and all, and both my helmets are full face. Good tyres and tubes and attention to pressures etc give me some peace of mind, and a "senior"

approach to riding style leaves me some room for error - but I know to expect the unexpected (I was an riding instructor for a few years). I do this so that I can still enjoy the old school style without risking too much.
Then it's a case of fingers crossed, hit the starter button, and spend the next couple of hours with an ear to ear grin.

Peter.

BobbyR · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2007, 01:43:27 PM »

Quote from: DammitDan on January 15, 2007, 12:37:05 PM

That, and mag rims are safer when you get a flat

How so? I am genuinely interested.

DammitDan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:03:31 PM »

Mags are a sealed system, so getting a flat just means the air goes out of the tire, whereas tube tires (spoked rims) have a greater chance of a violent blowout.

At high speeds a blowout is much more dangerous than a flat.

eldar · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:52:38 PM »

Years ago I had a blowout on my yamaha enduro. Going about 50(it was only a 100cc bike!)and suddenly the rear end just starts FLOPPING side to side. Ok was 13 or so but still that was a small bike and lower speeds. Imagine a bike 3 times heavier and going faster and I see how a comstar is safer.

petercb750 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2007, 03:21:29 PM »

Years ago, a group of us were riding our SOHCs and Z900s etc and one of my mates decided to stretch the legs of the borrowed 750 he was on - he wound it out to about 100mph and was some distance in front of the rest of the group, when we saw his arms thrashing from side to side and he veered off the road, hit a dirt mound, and launched into the stratosphere - result, one totalled borrowed 750, and one very sore and p'd off mate. It seemed his front tyre had gone down on him - er I mean had lost its air, without any warning or time to slow and bring it under control - scary stuff, and he's lucky to still be on the planet.
But I still think the look of spoked wheels are worth the downsides - safety, strength and cleaning etc.

Peter

GoatBaSS · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2007, 03:46:30 PM »

Comstars are not the greatest lookers, but I have put them on a 75 F and they were a MASSIVE improvement. My current ride has com up front and a clean spoked wheel on the back. Finances are a great GWB (" I am the decider and I decide."

). I like the look of them both. But ther are nicer spoked and alloy options, just harder to find and afford.

supersport_CB400F · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2007, 03:56:40 PM »

I always consider my safety above original Honda or old school parts, you only get one a$$, some old school stuff I’ve seen on this site is scary.

eldar · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2007, 05:03:59 PM »

I would like to know if there are modern wheels that bolt into are forks and such with little or no mods.

BobbyR · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2007, 06:01:50 PM »

Here is a resource for converting your tubed wire wheels to tubeless. http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/tubeless_tire_seal/

c_kyle · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2007, 06:09:10 PM »

I guess it depends on the look you're going for. Comstars came on my '79, so they are going to stay there for a while. I do like the look of spoked wheels, though. I'm not entirely sure on the look I'm going for yet; I guess a cafe/restored look, nothing fancy. I would like to see what a polished set of Comstars looks like; anyone have a pic?

DammitDan · « **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2007, 10:21:46 PM »

Ibsen's beautiful 1979 CB650z

eldar · « **Reply #20 on:** January 16, 2007, 06:21:16 AM »

Hey now sealing the rim would work for me. Wonder if there is anything a bit closer than Ca though!

kettlesd · « **Reply #21 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:30:54 AM »

Quote from: DammitDan on January 15, 2007, 10:21:46 PM

Ibsen's beautiful 1979 CB650z

Those rims are beautiful - are they polished? They dont look like the stock, stamped comstars.

MotoRico · « **Reply #22 on:** January 17, 2007, 11:50:27 AM »

Quote from: eldar, Master of the K8 Thunder! on January 16, 2007, 06:21:16 AM

Hey now sealing the rim would work for me. Wonder if there is anything a bit closer than Ca though!

I think I read somewhere they are having issues with the sealing process. May want to send them an email to find out. I love the idea though.

DammitDan · « **Reply #23 on:** January 17, 2007, 05:36:16 PM »

Those comstars are polished aluminum I believe, and so far as I know only came on the European (Z) version of the CB650.

kettlesd · « **Reply #24 on:** January 17, 2007, 06:04:42 PM »

wow - im impressed at the look. While functional, I always thought the stock black comstars looked like.......... well.....uh,

lets just say I like spokes....

bill440cars · « **Reply #25 on:** January 17, 2007, 06:28:17 PM »

No doubt, spoke wheels look good and, on bikes, I wouldn't go any other way. But, the same goes for the Comstars (in my opinion). I've got some Black Comstars that I'm gonna use on a 77'CB550K,
that I'm gathering parts for. Personally, I think (for the right style) that the black Comstars give the bike a custom look. But, To Each His Own.

And with that being said, I'm not going to say that one is better that the other or that one is right and the other is wrong. That is insane, IMHO

Later on, Bill

MrZxp · « **Reply #26 on:** January 17, 2007, 09:02:46 PM »

Quote from: DammitDan on January 17, 2007, 05:36:16 PM

Those comstars are polished aluminum I believe, and so far as I know only came on the European (Z) version of the CB650.

I wouldn't be without my Comstars..

Far nicer looking than spokes!!

Jim F · « **Reply #27 on:** January 17, 2007, 09:13:45 PM »

The 69s threw 75s look the best with spoke wheels
I am getting some WM2 and WM3 laced with heavy duty SS spokes
but in a 17 inch configuration to run current tires but thats just me

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Author Topic: Is it just me or..... (Read 4324 times)

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kettlesd

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