Topic: Where to buy new wheels?

[anthem78]

I am looking for a new set of spoked wheels for my 1975 550F. I want black rims with silver spokes. I'm having a hard time finding a good source for these. Does anybody have some recommendations? I'm thinking 18" front and back.

Thanks.

[Gordon]

If you're not dead set on getting new rims, you could always have your stock rims powder coated.  It would cost quite a bit less than getting new rims, too. 

[anthem78]

I'm open to powder coating them and getting new spokes, but the quotes I'm getting are costly. I've been told stainless spokes are the best, so $200 for both wheels, and the lacing and truing is really expensive unless I try to tackle it myself. The other thing is the tires I want aren't available in a 19" front tire. Just a 110-18. I am trying to figure out what I want to do.

Thanks.
Michael

[Geeto67]

buchannan.

you will send them your stock hub and open your wallet (wide). they will send you back an excel alloy balck anodized rim laced with stainless spokes to your original hubs. You will be the envy of all who see the bike in person. chances are by the time you are done this will have cost you at least half of what your bike is worth.

[Gordon]

You can do the lacing and truing yourself if you have patience and read up on the subject before starting.

[rbmgf7]

I asked a question along these lines not too long ago.

If you want plain chromed steel wheels similar to stock, Z1enterprises has them but you have to search under the KZ900 section. You can get a front and rear set of zinc stock length spokes from Parts N More for $60 total.

Buchanan seems to be the only supplier of aftermarket rims. You can find the sizes everywhere but dang near impossible in a 40 spoke setup. If you want a 18" front as well, good luck finding a steel version unless you want to lace the same sizes in front and rear. Then you'll need new custom sized spokes for the front and your only best bet is Buchanan. At least they'll be quality stainless steel versions.

As far as powdercoating, I don't see it costing more than $100 to do both rims.

[Popwood]

You can get an aftermarket but OEM chrome 19" rim from myersmotorcyles.com for $110 including shipping. Just did it a couple weeks back. Nice rim too. With my son's help, we relaced and trued the wheel and it didn't seem like too big a deal. The boy had done it a couple times before. He had a Harbor Freight truing stand and I had the dial indicator. We set it up within 10 to 15 thousandths both round and side to side. Took about an hour. Like Gordon said, you can do it with patience and reading up, following directions. There are some excellent instructions/step by step instructions in the FAQ section of this site.

[Zaipai]

buchannan.

Is there a website address?

Also could not get to myersmotorcyles.com

[Popwood]

Here's a link to myers motorcycles ebay store. That's where I ordered my rim.

[lone*X]

I think you forgot the link.  Or it was in disappearing ink maybe?

[anthem78]

Thanks, I checked out the wheels on Buchanan's website and it is pretty expensive for rims and stainless spokes to match. I'll probably end up getting them powder coated and do the lacing and truing myself. I found a great thread on it in the FAQ on this site.

It will probably be a month before I can do it, but I'll post when I'm done if it turns out well.

Thanks.

[circusmidget]

Buchannan is pretty expensive. My Idea was to leave my 19" 350 on the front and buy a 19" 500 for the rear with original hub and the custom lenght spokes, similar style rim to the original. (anyone know the max size on the rear for a 82' cb650?) Then get the rims and hubs coated. The lacing and truing i will attempt myself as well. Anyone have any better or cheaper alternatives?

[Dave-and-his-550]

If you want plain chromed steel wheels similar to stock, Z1enterprises has them but you have to search under the KZ900 section. You can get a front and rear set of zinc stock length spokes from Parts N More for $60 total.

I got a question on this topic. The spokes on Parts N More's website are listed for a 750. I just wanted to ask, or confirm with this forum that they will fit on a 76 550F as well? I imagine they're the same length.

Also, the rims. On Z1 they show the rims to be sized as: 1.85"x19" for the front, and 1.85"x18" for the rear. This is stock rim size measurements I'm guessing?

I could really use some reassuring answers on this subject because I'd like to order soon!