Topic: anyone know a good source for spokes...

[paulages]

for a gl1000 rim? i know this is a common mod to gain the alloy wheels, but i can't find the spokes anywhere.

edit: besides buchanans, that is. i know they can make anything, but they sure aren't cheap, and don't list anything for the goldwings.

[tsflstb]

I might be misunderstanding, but can't you re-use your stock length spokes and nipples?  If you're going from an 18" to 19" front, the gl1000 spoke set should still work on your hub.  I've seen the Chinese made plated steel sets on Ebay for cheap.  You could buy OEM Honda spokes too.

Buchanan's is the only place I know of to get stainless sets.  They're expensive but worth it - plus they are a tremendous source of information if you plan on lacing and truing the wheels yourself.

[Steve F]

I bought some stainless spokes from these guys in th U.K.:  http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/
They screwed them up however, and it cost me extra to have the spokes reworked.  What happened, (mistake one) I ordered them, not knowing that there were differences between the inside and outside spokes being bent differently, and (mistake two) not having the length needed to make them fit.  They told me that they haven't done Honda wheels before!!! (found this really bizzare) but they do mostly Brit bikes, and they should be able to figure it out.  So I gave them the dimensions of the wheel, the hub and so on, and the spokes they sent me were too long, and only bent for the inside fitting.  So I ordered 20 more spokes bent for the outside, that's when I noticed that they were too long.   
I shortened them myself and had the threads re-rolled at a local shop.  Central Wheel CAN make spokes, but I would advise that you send them samples of EACH for them to get it right.

[azuredesign]

Buchanan's is the only place I know of to get stainless sets.  They're expensive but worth it - plus they are a tremendous source of information if you plan on lacing and truing the wheels yourself.

Do you have a link for Buchanan's?
Thanks!

[eldar]

Not to de-rail, well only partially, how about spokes for those of use with the 17 inch rims?

[tsflstb]

Do you have a link for Buchanan's?

www.buchananspokes.com

17" spokes shouldn't be a problem - just tell them what hub you're using.  They have patterns for almost everything out there, but just don't list it all on the web site. 

I'm pretty impressed with their knowledge of all things wheel-related.  I was trying (unsuccessfully) to lace an old shouldered Akront rim from a Spanish dirtbike to my rear drum.  Apparently there is a Japanese and a European way to lace a 36 hole rim.  I'll bet 99.999% of human population lives their whole lives and never learns that bit of trivia.  They didn't make a dime building that wheel, but really got me out of a bind. 

I also goofed and ordered the wrong size nipples for the front wheel, they exchanged them and even covered shipping back to me.  It's hard to spend well over $100 on spokes and nipples, but for once I was on the right side of the "you get what you pay for" axiom.

Anyway, I'll stop cheerleading.  If you want OEM Honda spokes, DSS, Bikebandit, Western Hills Honda, or even your local dealer can still get them.

[paulages]

thanks, guys. i know buchanans can do it, i just also know how cheap a standard set of cb750 spokes are to come by, and was hoping i could find a similar source for the goldwings. i have nice front spokes, just need the rear. the spokes that were laced to the GL hub were toast-- i had to cut a few off. the rim is 17".

[tsflstb]

From bikebandit.com...I did a double take at the prices.  I think those prices are for each spoke.  At least you can get the part number and shop around.  Buchanans might actually be the cheap route.



5: SPOKE ASSY. A, RR. 3863731-001     $4.89     
6: SPOKE ASSY. B, RR. 3863743-001     $4.89 

Edit...this is for a 1977 GL1000.  I guess they're the same for all years of spoked wheels.

[azuredesign]

Do you have a link for Buchanan's?

www.buchananspokes.com

Thanks!!

[paulages]

From bikebandit.com...I did a double take at the prices.  I think those prices are for each spoke.  At least you can get the part number and shop around.  Buchanans might actually be the cheap route.



5: SPOKE ASSY. A, RR. 3863731-001     $4.89     
6: SPOKE ASSY. B, RR. 3863743-001     $4.89 

Edit...this is for a 1977 GL1000.  I guess they're the same for all years of spoked wheels.

per spoke? are they #$%*ing kidding? who the hell would pay $200 for these, when you can get polished SS for cheaper?

[Tim.]

When I was sourcing new spokes for my XS650 project, I wanted stainless and Buchanans brand spokes seemed the way to go.  They make them, each one has a little B cast into the hub-end of the spoke.

Anyhow, I ended up ordering mine through East Coast Wheels.  They were cheaper than Buchanan's direct, and charged less shipping.  A little tough to get a hold of, but got my spokes and they worked like a charm.

Mine were non-stock custom spokes.  Paid $80 a set for stainless nipples and spokes.

In comparison, Mikesxs sells standard spoke sets for $30-$40 I think.  Just as a comparison.  In my opinion, spokes are a lifetime investment, so the extra $40 per set seemed worthwhile.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I recently picked up sets for front and back for my 750F from ServiceHonda.com. Cost right at $100 per wheel. 

[754]

I am not buying the European and Japanese spoking methods.. sounds more like it is simply a different cross pattern.. which you rim was probably drilled for.

[turboguzzi]

Didnt have good experience with Central wheel either, but that was quite a few years back.

Unless constant shine is important for you, I wouldnt go with stainless steel. Maybe it was just a very isolated case, but I had quite a few spokes fatigue braking in SS, specially at the 90 deg bend on a Matchless I restored with Central wheel spokes. They also didnt seem too concerned with the length of the bent bit and IMHO, this put extra strain on the 90 deg bend.

Hard to beat the butted plain steel original spokes

TG

[Pwfyrcat1]

http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/


Found this yesterday.

[tsflstb]

I am not buying the European and Japanese spoking methods.. sounds more like it is simply a different cross pattern.. which you rim was probably drilled for.

You're right it's just a different pattern.  When installing the inner spokes, my old wheels and everything I read said to cross them over.  That won't work with Akronts.  It's not a huge deal, but it confused the hell out of a dumb guy like me.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=26662.0