Topic: Yeah I Think Your In Trouble

[traveler]

I watched those wheels for days... I almost SH!T myself when i saw 800 bucks.

And so it goes on.......

[Skonnie Boy]

Dumb question of the day:

What makes Lesters so valuable?  Is it because they're period correct, or better quality?  I googled the spit outta this before I broke down and posted here.  Just curious.

[seaweb11]

So I guess I should hang on to these

[bubbafun101]

I have a set of Lesters on a 77 auto frame I was gonna build up a little racy. Mine are 19 front and 18 rear. What was the reason for such odd sizing in a set? I know a lot of modern bikes run different sizes. The question I guess is why would someone, who had a chance at "optimizing" his bike, be it either "a look" or performance, pick such odd sizes to mix and match.

[traveler]

Dumb question of the day:

What makes Lesters so valuable?  Is it because they're period correct, or better quality?  I googled the spit outta this before I broke down and posted here.  Just curious.

The same thing that makes a 1969 Camaro Z28 valuable.  A link to the past.

Also...rarity.  LESTERS were 300 bucks per rim new.  That was ALOT of $$ in 1977!!!!

Lastly, keeping the rear drum brake.....they are period correct rims....they match a CB.

~Joe

[traveler]

So I guess I should hang on to these

I think you know the answer to that.

~Joe

[traveler]

I have a set of Lesters on a 77 auto frame I was gonna build up a little racy. Mine are 19 front and 18 rear. What was the reason for such odd sizing in a set? I know a lot of modern bikes run different sizes. The question I guess is why would someone, who had a chance at "optimizing" his bike, be it either "a look" or performance, pick such odd sizes to mix and match.

The 16" rear was more desireable back in the 70's...everyone wanted that fat donut tire in the rear (rigid frames ride softer with a big sidewall to help cushion the bumps in the road, etc...therefore 18" Lesters are more rare.  You have a valuable set of rims.  If it was a rear for a 750F2 with disc brake it would be worth a fortune!

You want to talk rarity...how about some Hyashi rims....and we won't even go into the true Magnesium wheels that were made.

~Joe

[scottly]

When I bought my Seeley, in '79, a friend, who knew the PO, told me something about about the guy paying $300 for the Morris wheels; I assumed it was for the pair. Now I wonder???

[Duke McDukiedook]

If those were $300 each in the 70's and they are pretty rare you got a good deal, I don't care what anyone else says.
 

[traveler]

Well...that's what I have been led to believe.  I'm 41 now....so I was 8 when my bike was new.

~Joe

[srook]

This thread along with some others, had raised some misconceptions about Lester Wheels.  Some basic info about Lester Wheels:

1. They were not built to run tubeless - You can choose to run them tubeless but they do not have any provisions for locking the tire bead to the rim

2. Lester wheels were $300 for a set of 2 or $150 each

3. Lester wheels are really not rare.  They were popular and reasonably priced (all sizes not just the 16" rears).  You can find them on ebay consistently.  Much more so than the Morris Mags, Star Wheels (any manufacturers) or the Snowflake variety (again, any manufacturers).  There are also many survivers out there with Lester wheels on them.  They can be expensive but not really rare.

4. Lester wheels are heavy.  They offer no weight saving over spokes.  What makes them an upgrade is their stability and limited deflection.

5. There were 3 basic varieties of Lester wheel: all black spokes with polished rim, highlighted spokes with polished rim, and later style with painted rib on rim

All black spokes with polished rim


Highlighted spokes with polished rim


Later style with painted rib (some were color coded blue for BMWs, notice the price)


The only Hondas that ever appeared in Lester ads were the Goldwings


Scott

[cb650]

They look vey much like the late 70's kawi mags.

[cavebear]

Did somebody say magnesium wheels?

[seaweb11]

"4. Lester wheels are heavy.  They offer no weight saving over spokes. "

I would disagree with that statement. Mine are definitely lighter than the stock spoke wheels.  MUCH.

[MaaseyRacer]

If you think 800 is a lot, try looking at new mag wheels for todays bikes,....

Exactly. 

Post some weights on that mag too.

[traveler]

This thread along with some others, had raised some misconceptions about Lester Wheels.  Some basic info about Lester Wheels:

1. They were not built to run tubeless - You can choose to run them tubeless but they do not have any provisions for locking the tire bead to the rim

2. Lester wheels were $300 for a set of 2 or $150 each

3. Lester wheels are really not rare.  They were popular and reasonably priced (all sizes not just the 16" rears).  You can find them on ebay consistently.  Much more so than the Morris Mags, Star Wheels (any manufacturers) or the Snowflake variety (again, any manufacturers).  There are also many survivers out there with Lester wheels on them.  They can be expensive but not really rare.

4. Lester wheels are heavy.  They offer no weight saving over spokes.  What makes them an upgrade is their stability and limited deflection.

5. There were 3 basic varieties of Lester wheel: all black spokes with polished rim, highlighted spokes with polished rim, and later style with painted rib on rim

All black spokes with polished rim


Highlighted spokes with polished rim


Later style with painted rib (some were color coded blue for BMWs, notice the price)


The only Hondas that ever appeared in Lester ads were the Goldwings


Scott

well....appreciate the info.

Finding an 18" rear with a 550 hub proved to very difficult FOR ME.

That said...what's done is done, and they are mine.  It IS worth noting that they are in VERY good condition.

~Joe

[seaweb11]

If you think 800 is a lot, try looking at new mag wheels for todays bikes,....

Exactly. 

Post some weights on that mag too.

Mine won't be coming off the bike for some time, new tires on them and all

[Tim2005]

Anyone know if Lester ever made a 18" front wheel?

[IHWillys]

As to price, "pay to play" is an accurate observation.  I wouldn't have known the 18" 550 Lester wheel was difficult to find but I am familiar with some other arcane items with seemingly, at least to the casual observer, unreal values.  Got a rear belt pulley from an old Power Wagon, anyone?

I like the style of the Lesters.  They look very similar to some of the factory Yamaha wheels to me. 

These are the stock wheels on this '79 RD400F(though they have been painted white).  I believe the first year for these was '76 or '77.(?)


Ken

[cb550fcafe]

Joe, good for you. You have a bike that you want to look a certain way and thats it. I can apreciate your drive. The money is simply a tool to acquire the pieces you desire. I've been there and frequently revisit while doing builds. So what about price. Its finding what you need and getting it. I hate the feeling of passing on something I need waiting for another to pop up, I usually pay more than I would have to begin with.

[traveler]

thanks.

[754]

Kawi mags do not look ike Lesters, they are knock-offs of Morris Wheels..in fact Kawi used Morris on the first 900 LTD, then started making their own, by Asahi, & Enkei.

 Morris are probably a bit lighter than Lester wheels.

 I am thinking 750 wheels were made in quatiries about 4 times as high as 500/550 wheels..

[Indiana John]

A buddy of mine several years ago had a Wing with the Lester wheels on it. He didn't like them, and traded for a set of spoke wheels with alloy rims. I always thought it was a bit of a downgrade myself.

[fastbroshi]

This thread sucks.  I think the price of a good set of Lesters on any bike just doubled! 

[Scott S]

 Is $200 for a fairly clean pair in 18"/16" with a 550 hub a good deal? Includes speedo drive, front disc and rear drum parts.