Topic: Best way to clean spokes?

[zoo mob]

73 750k3 original wheels, are they chromed or aluminum? What's the best method to get them shiny again?
Thanks.

[jevfro]

never seen aluminum spokes...  probably not chrome either, zinc plated most likely.  How bad are they?  If they are real ugly the plating is most likely gone, I'd probably just replace them.  Post some pics!

[736cc]

Once they start rusting, it means theres no more zinc plating to protect the bare steel spokes. You can make them shiny w/ steel wool but they'll rust quickly. If its just a couple ugly spokes standing-out, a little silver paint on  a Q-tip will hide the bad ones.

[snyquist53]

i reused my 30 year old spokes on my 550.  i used a drill and an air sander and 6 pack.  i chucked the threaded part of the spoke up in the drill lightly and turned the spoke as i used 220 grit air sander to get them back to steel evenly and with less elbow grease.  you can then paint them or have them re-chrome.  i painted mine, i was worried that if i powder coated them they would fit in the hub with scarring.

[fletchermunson]

Best way to clean them? Throw them out and buy a set of SS  .


III

[zoo mob]

Cool, where can I get replacement spokes, and what am I looking at spending?

[Jinxracing]

Cool, where can I get replacement spokes, and what am I looking at spending?

http://www.buchananspokes.com/

Should be in the FAQs, but if it's not there you go.

[736cc]

Nice wheels are priceless and really make the bike. Parts and labor can add-up; new hub, new spokes, new rims, new tires, new nipples, new bearings, new tube etc. Fuhgedabowt price of re-chroming. You don't want new spokes on medocre rims or hubs. Then theres labor, do-it-yourself you'll save at least 40%

[snyquist53]

buchanan's is by far the best.  they are nice and professional.  never had any problems with them and i tend to do odd ball mixes and they always can figure out what i need

[techy5025]

I have a set of polished Buchanon  stainless spokes on both my 750's....they are beautiful and easy to clean. The end that goes through the hub is a little bit bigger then the original Honda spokes, but they still fit OK.

My chromer charges 200 bucks to do a show quality re-chrome of one rim....expensive but matches the looks of the spokes. The hardest part is polishing the hub...especially the back one.

The job of relacing the wheels is labor intensive enough that you don't want to have to do it twice. 736cc is right.....nice looking wheels really make the bike stand out. I vote for the stainless spokes.

Jim

[johnny-from-bel]

Just can't resist.

Have your wife do it 

[edbikerii]

If my wife would have buffed my spokes, we might not be divorced today.

[techy5025]

....and first I would have to find a wife! 

Jim

[736cc]

I prefer the look of UNPOLISHED SS spokes with yellow zinc nipples. Buchanan sells plain steel nipples but you need to plate them yellow zinc. They also sell nickel plated nipples.

[jevfro]

I got my zinc plated spokes from https://www.partsnmore.com/cat_index.php?model=cb750_sohc&category=chassis and they look very OEM.  They are a little bit heavier gauge and had the yellow nipples, cheap too! $29!  The zinc should last about as long as the originals.  I'd do SS next time (hopefully not for 20-30 years), they were just out of my price range this time.

[bobsmith]

Ive been telling everyone the rust, road kill debris, grease, tarnish and chromeblisters on my spokes and rims is a factory installed protective coating.