Topic: Takasago 19 x 2.15 40 hole Rim

[jkucukov]

I came across these on Ebay, Takasago 19 x 2.15 40 hole Rim:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Excel-Takasago-Chromed-Steel-40-Hole-19X215-19-2-15-Rim-Wheel-402-1100-01-36424-/193340791980

Anyone know what Japanese bike these were originally made for?

Would these fit the CB750K front hub?

I feel the Price is a bit high, are they worth a try, what do you guys think?

[seanbarney41]

Something fishy there.  Chrome looks to have corroded pits.  Actually never heard of or seen Excel rims that were not aluminum.  On top of that, is too wide for most spoked Japanese bikes...most used 1.85x19 for front

[Tim2005]

The chrome does look rough. You also need to check if they are drilled for a disc or drum hub - so it would be very useful to find out what they were for. I recollect some Kawas used a 19" rear even, which may explain the width of it, though I can't ever remember a Takasago one.  Approach with care...

[69cb750]

Kawasaki used Takasago rims, Z1, KZ900, KZ1000
Rear Z1 rim is 2.15x18"
2.15x19" is to wide for front.

[jkucukov]

I tired reaching out to the seller inquiring about the rims but no luck, he doesn't know what bike they are for, nor does he know if its drilled for a Drum or Disk type.

I did find another site had them at one point for a better price but no longer available:
https://www.bmikarts.com/19-x-215-40-Spoke-Hole-Chrome-Steel-Rim-from-Excel_p_7347.html

It would be nice to know especially for those running 100/90 front tires.

[jkucukov]

I did find that the Kawasaki Vulcan came with the 2.15x19 front, but that was not 40 spoke rim. The other bike that comes to mind is the Harley FXR series that had 2.15x19 40 spokes.

[69cb750]

Front rim is 1.85x19" - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Wheel-Rim-CB450-CB500-CB550-CB650-CB750-Genuine-Honda-See-Notes-F35/361695215229?hash=item5436b6fe7d:g:AZsAAOxy8HlSbEsD
You can buy new or used rims, many available.
Kawasaki used Takasago, Honda used Diado.

[jkucukov]

The chrome does look rough. You also need to check if they are drilled for a disc or drum hub - so it would be very useful to find out what they were for. I recollect some Kawas used a 19" rear even, which may explain the width of it, though I can't ever remember a Takasago one.  Approach with care...

From the second photo you can see that the holes are not touching the center rim contour seems to indicate Disk type hub? I have a 2.15x18 rim for the rear and the spoke hole is touching the center rim contour.

[Tim2005]

Kawasaki used Takasago rims, Z1, KZ900, KZ1000
Rear Z1 rim is 2.15x18"
2.15x19" is to wide for front.

70 H1 500 used a 19 rear... wonder what width that was

[seanbarney41]

Kawasaki used Takasago rims, Z1, KZ900, KZ1000
Rear Z1 rim is 2.15x18"
2.15x19" is to wide for front.
[/quote

70 H1 500 used a 19 rear... wonder what width that was

]ha ha...those seem to us kinda over priced.  But if you are right and they are correct for H1, probably wayyy under-priced!

[craz1]

Why would you buy a used rim that has pitting and such for 134 when you can buy a new DID rim for around  80. Those rims were mused on all the Kawasaki bikes. If the front is a 19 inch 40 hole rim yes they would work. But again why?

[craz1]

Also a 2.15 front would be a little wide for the 750 most front rims run 1.85 x19.

[PeWe]

Also a 2.15 front would be a little wide for the 750 most front rims run 1.85 x19.

If you run stock tire 3.25-19 1.85" rim is correct.

Not if tire is wider as often used, like 100/90-19.
See tire vs rim charts on Internet.

I have a set of alu rims on the floor 3m away waiting to be laced
2.15-19
3.0-18

[jkucukov]

I got a response today with photos, It appears the rims are for a Drum Style hub?
I've attached a photo for comparison, Takasago 2.15x19 Left, DID 1.85x19 Right.
Notice the hole placement difference on the dimple.   

[PeWe]

Here photos of rims to CB750
Front 2.15-19" vs rear 3.0-18" I mentioned earlier.
Wider rim visible for rear drum. Hole locations.

I have not laced them yet. Most likely OK since the UK company has made lots of wheels to CB's.

[jkucukov]

Here photos of rims to CB750
Front 2.15-19" vs rear 3.0-18" I mentioned earlier.
Wider rim visible for rear drum. Hole locations.

I have not laced them yet. Most likely OK since the UK company has made lots of wheels to CB's.

PeWe, thank you for sharing, that's exactly what I'm looking for. First photo of the front 2.15x19 rim, what brand is it, did it come from a factory motorcycle or was it custom made?

Thanks,

[PeWe]

Custom order from
https://www.central-wheel.co.uk

They have valanced and non valanced alu (alloy) rims.

My are non valanced
Valanced has like a lip close to tire.
Ordered with spokes.

They have stock size in stainless too.

[jkucukov]

I did come across their brand of rims, I also found these guys out of UK as well https://www.devonrimcompany.com/classic-japanese
Their Valtrue brand comes very close to the look of the factory rims. I did reach out to them but no dice.

[PeWe]

Or a little bit wider rear, just bolt on. Rape the wallet!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-750-Four-rear-wheel-alu-flat-shoulder-rim-3-5x18-tire-BT45-140-70-18-/293227563341?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-cb-750-Four-Front-Wheel-Aluminum-Flat-Shoulder-Board-2-15x19-bt45-Tire-/293204526729?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

[jkucukov]

Wow, that's money for several barn finds and then some, guess I'm sticking with 1.85 with 100/90 on them.

[PeWe]

Better to use correct size for handling and tire wear.
Stock rims = stock tire
3.25-19
4.0-18

Those 120/90 I have tested on stock rear rim got bad handling rather soon due to the quicker flattened profile. Bike transformed to a snake on lightly curved roads.

4.0-18 kept most of the handling until rubber had disappeared enough for a change.
Huge difference.

CB750 had a bad reputation about bad handling back in late 70's early 80's.
I'm sure the owners were to blame that changed to wider tires for the look only.

I know, I was in it too. Last tire late 80's was 130 wide on stock 2.15 rear rim. Tire was really flat with worn profile as a box.

Details I and my biker friends heard from the older boring men we did not listened at. Important with cooler look.

If you sum up the cost for good old hubs, change bearings, retainers, seals. Remove old bearings, clean inside of hubs from all nasty old stinking grease inside that sit there with stock bearings.

Polish hubs, mount bearings etc.
New rims with spokes to be laced correctly.
New tubes and tires. Mount them.
That's not cheap either.

I will not change rims on my existing good wheels. I bought old hubs I restored.

Rear hub a chance when brake drum/lining can have horrible wear or cracked, not usable.

I was lucky to find a low priced rear hub that looked as sh!t. Brake liner was really rusty. Holes for spokes had no wear at all as happen by use (oval holes). So I knew it was a low miler.
Sanded off the rust and it look nice. No wear edge inside outside of brake shoes either.

The bike that hub sat on cannot been used much.