Topic: Alloy Rims Choices for cb750?

[BenelliSEI]

I have a nice set of 1975 GL1000 aluminum wheels sitting in my rack. 19” front, 17” rear. Anyone ever laced these rims to a stock cb750 hub? Do I just use stock spokes? The rear would need to like the K7/8 rear spokes? Just curious.

[newday777]

Yes stock front spokes and rear will be K7/8 spokes

[MauiK3]

I'd love to see this, I bet it will look great

[beemerbum]

Easy peasy. They look so much better as well. BTW that's a stock size tire on the back wheel.

[BenelliSEI]

Easy peasy. They look so much better as well. BTW that's a stock size tire on the back wheel.

They look great! I may have to build a set for my K8!

[jgger]

I might have to look into this when, if ever, I start on my 79 650. I don't really like the look of the costars. Tor the look, having to run tubes is worth the trade off.

[Don R]

 The Hondamatic spoked aluminum rims are an easy swap. I just popped a set on my K2 750.

[seanbarney41]

In case you did not know cb750 and gl1000 use the exact same front hub, so the whole wheel swaps right on.  If you need spokes they are the same.  Also, you can unlace the gl rear, ditch the shaft drive hub and lace it right up to cb750 hub.

[BenelliSEI]

In case you did not know cb750 and gl1000 use the exact same front hub, so the whole wheel swaps right on.  If you need spokes they are the same.  Also, you can unlace the gl rear, ditch the shaft drive hub and lace it right up to cb750 hub.

Thanks for that Sean. I do have some extra cb750 hubs, so would likely polish them up and start from scratch (assuming I ever get through my current projects).

[Don R]

 If you check part numbers, the 1976 cb750A and same year gl1000 use the same spokes. Also the aluminum rim spokes use a washer on the spoke nipple, so if you buy spokes get them for an aluminum rim bike.

[Alan F.]

I have 2 sets of 750A/GL rims to lace up for my K3 & K8, I bought 750A spoke sets from https://www.vintagecb750.com/products/3/suspension-wheel/132/rims-spokes-wheel-seals-tire-valve-stems

Had to pack them away in storage when I lost shop space a few years ago. I remember looking for oven cleaner (to clean off the clear anodizing so I could polish them) for over a year before I finally found a couple of cans somewhere.

[spotty]

while we're on the subject can a wing 17" rear be spoked to a K7 front hub ?
 would rear  k7 spokes fit the front hub ?
 i want to do a 17 conversion on the front of the trail bike (CB750K7) when the road knobby tyres ( 17 19 stock K7 at the moment ) wear out so i'll have 17's on both ends and then fit sticky road tyres for a super motard kind of look ( some might say super retard )

[BenelliSEI]

Spotty….. The problem is the rear hub (drum brake) is much bigger than the front. The spokes will be way too short……

But, a cb400F had a smaller diameter front rim and used the same hub? Maybe those spokes are what you need??

[Alan F.]

Hi Spotty, I doubt the rear spokes would work with a front hub. And most likely the spoke holes in the rim will all be angled wrong for the smaller front hub. This isn't a show stopper, some have altered the spoke hole angles to better fit smaller hubs, you just need to place spherical washers between the spoke nipples and rim to keep things strong. Spherical washers can be formed with a tool similar to a grommet die that can be made up on a lathe if needed.
And with a few measurements of the hub and a few from the rim, you can calculate the correct spoke length you'd need to lace the two together. Spokes of various lengths and guage can be found on ebay listed for E-bike applications. I've used this spoke length calculator several times and it's worked well.
https://earlymotor.com/leon/misc/html/spoke.htm

Once you've successfully built a mongrel wheel like you're talking about the possibilities just open up, it's similar to the feeling experienced after learning to lace a spoked wheel.

[spotty]

Spotty….. The problem is the rear hub (drum brake) is much bigger than the front. The spokes will be way too short……

But, a cb400F had a smaller diameter front rim and used the same hub? Maybe those spokes are what you need??

hadn't thought of that, more research needed

[spotty]

Hi Spotty, I doubt the rear spokes would work with a front hub. And most likely the spoke holes in the rim will all be angled wrong for the smaller front hub. This isn't a show stopper, some have altered the spoke hole angles to better fit smaller hubs, you just need to place spherical washers between the spoke nipples and rim to keep things strong. Spherical washers can be formed with a tool similar to a grommet die that can be made up on a lathe if needed.
And with a few measurements of the hub and a few from the rim, you can calculate the correct spoke length you'd need to lace the two together. Spokes of various lengths and guage can be found on ebay listed for E-bike applications. I've used this spoke length calculator several times and it's worked well.
https://earlymotor.com/leon/misc/html/spoke.htm

Once you've successfully built a mongrel wheel like you're talking about the possibilities just open up, it's similar to the feeling experienced after learning to lace a spoked wheel.

cheers, that may well come in very handy
migh tend up being easier to just buy a pre built motard rim

[Alan F.]

Yeah I just took a look at ebay for comperable rims and prices are just sky high. If you can work with what's handy you'll be far ahead. I paid under $200US years back for the 2 sets I have, and they're far from nice but not damaged. Prices today are just insane.

[flybackwards]

I used an alloy rim and stainless spokes from Buchanans on my K7 - worked well.

[Rookster]

I tried this but in the end decided against it. 

I found the cheapest pair of A/GL alloy rims possible but the cost when you factor in stripping and polishing is quite high for old used alloy rims.  I got both the front and rears for about $50 each.  I cleaned them up but they have scuffs from tire irons over the years.  I'm done with polishing anything large like rims so I called around to get some polishing prices.  The best I got was $200 per rim.  A new Excel or Sun rim is between $230 to $270 each depending on size.  Its just not worth it unless you get the rims for free and have a polishing hook up.  I don't anymore.  The 2 places I've used for polishing in the past aren't around anymore.  Needless to say the DID alloys are good rims but wouldn't you rather have new ones for the same price?  Its not just that they are shiny and scuff free.  They also haven't been used and abused for thousands of miles.

Scott

[BenelliSEI]

I have a great polishing guy locally (Greg’s Metal Grinding and Polishing in Oshawa, loolk for his adds on KIJIJI). He and his son are ridiculously reasonably priced and does great work. The rims are in nice shape and collecting dust in my barn…. I’ll probably do it.

[Rookster]

That's awesome. I used to have a local polishing guy but they didn't reopen after covid.  I used a chrome shop for the last group of polishing I needed and they were decently priced but they were the ones that quoted me $200 per rim.  That's a total "we don't want to do this price".  I am right over the border in Buffalo but they hit you with 20 questions when you try to explain what your doing with motorcycle parts crossing the border.  They always think I'm selling them and not paying the tax.  Your rims should come out great.  I was planning on doing that with mine on my Project Unknown bike but I think I'm going in a different direction. Post pics when your done.  I always like seeing your projects.

Scott

[grcamna2]

The GL/A rims are very solid looking  I like the look of them Much better than the Comstars and prefer their Look over other used rims I've used.
I'm sad to hear how much $ they cost;unless you can get them cheap on Facebook?