Author Topic: Are these Kawi mags or Lesters? (Read 6071 times)

Shenanigans · « **on:** July 11, 2010, 09:36:29 PM »

whudddyathink?

754 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:14:28 PM »

Lesters, they like the fat spokes..

Kawi and Morris wheels look much different than those..

Alan F. · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2010, 05:59:45 AM »

Do Kawi mags have the thread in bearing retainers like stock honda wheels do? I thought Lesters do...

754 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:03:35 AM »

The Lesters take stock drum and sprocket carrier.

Kawi mags have push in bearings, I believe some models have no retainers. There are at least 3 versions used on Kawasakis. First LTD used real Morris mags, then their own similar wheels appeared, by at least 2 makers, one is Enkei, the other maybe Asahi? If you are seeking a set of Kawi mags, check carefully as the machined off area differs between those makers. That and later mags take discs with huge center holes.

Morris mags have detachable sideplates, both sides that hold the bearings, and did not come with drums, although some Amercan model fitment used factory bolt on drums.

srook · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:51:42 AM »

Those appear to be Lester Wheels. Yamaha made the Lester look alike wheels. Those have the indent that runs around the outside of the rim = Lester. I have gathered some info on Lester Wheels and their numbers. On one of the spokes will be a size and a date stamp, ex. T19x2.15 32277 That would be a front Lester size 19 x 2.15 made on 3/22/1977. Sometimes there's a TL after the size, which I think means tubeless. I have not been able to confirm this, but Lester did market their later wheels as being for tube type and tubeless tires. The rears will have the same info on one of the spokes but they will also have a hub # in the brake drum or sprocket recess. The hub # determines which bike that wheel is for. The CB750K rear Lester will have the number 20200 in the hub somewhere. The CB750F with the rear disk will have the number 20400 in the hub. I haven't been able to get the hub number for the CB500/550 bikes but it would be a simillar 5 digit number that started with 20. The Lester part numbers were variations on the hub numbers, ex. Lester part number 25214 was a rear Kawaski wheel for an H1, 18x2.15. The hub number for the H1 was 25200. Unfortunatly I don't have a list of Lester Honda part numbers only Kawasaki.
Hope this helps.
Scott

CB750Ken8 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2010, 10:18:51 AM »

Yep the stamping looks something like this for a front wheel.

SKTP · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2010, 10:28:38 AM »

My Lesters. 100% swap-on to my 78K:

after powder coating

Shenanigans · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2010, 11:54:35 AM »

Alright, so they are worth picking up then at what? 50 bucks? 100?

Here is another photo just to double confirm. Might go get them today!

srook · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2010, 05:57:23 AM »

On ebay they can go from $100 to $400+ each depending on what they fit. For some reason the Lesters for the Kawasakis Z1 and Mach3 go for alot more than the CB750 wheels. I bought 3 Lester wheels over the last few years and didn't pay over $150 for any of them. I sold the Z1 rear 18 for well over $300. Alot of times they get listed incorrectly and you need to know what you're looking at to get them relatively cheap. That Z1 rear was listed for a CB750. The front Lester that I got was listed for the CB500 only. It fits a bunch of different CBs the 750 included. If you can get them for $100 a piece you should be able to make a good profit but you will have to get them cleaned up and looking good.
Scott

Shenanigans · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2010, 10:30:43 AM »

All good info, now I feel a little more educated. Numbers on the front wheel are T19x2.15 TL 001 and below it 41977 To be honest I have never been a huge fan of mag wheels so I am not sure what I am going to do with them yet. I also got the rear swing arm and wheel/disk caliper from a early 750F (aka spokes and rear disk) that is going on my 550. So are these mag wheels any better than the spoked wheels? They felt just as heavy.

srook · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2010, 11:07:23 AM »

"So are these mag wheels any better than the spoked wheels?"

Yes.

Spoked wheels are maintenance intensive and prone to flex and distortion under load. A spoked rim is also made up of several different parts which gives it a less than rigid feel. On the other hand cast Aluminum wheels of the 70s, while not much lighter are 10 times+ as strong and maintenance free. They do not flex much if at all under load. They keep their shape as well and do not require truing from regular use becuase they are one solid piece.
Scott

scottly · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2010, 11:23:58 AM »

Mag wheels are slightly heavier than spoked wheels; my front Morris weighed about 1 pound more than a K7 wheel. I have heard/read that Morris wheels are slightly lighter than Lester.

754 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2010, 12:07:46 AM »

I trued my 750 front wheel as good as I could, and tried to balance it.. When I switched to a Morris mag, I had never seen my wheel anywhere near as true as the mag... no comparison..

Shenanigans · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2010, 06:45:15 PM »

Yo know the more I have been reading the more I kinda want to keep the wheels, it may not be in the immediate future but I do one day want to do some vintage racing and these wheels would save me a lot of trouble compared to getting wire wheels in "race" shape.

Anyone who has them on their bike feel free to show me how they look on the bike

754 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2010, 08:03:21 PM »

Go to the projects, and look at Seawebs Tracy.

fdbrat · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2013, 10:21:49 PM »

Digging up old thread. I'm picking up a pair of cb750f Lester's just like these tomorrow. $100 for the pair.

Nice to hear they don't need truing. Is balancing still needed?

Love the site great info.

fdbrat · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2013, 11:08:58 PM »

Do you guys think these Lester wheels will fit my bike?

mitchie · « **Reply #17 on:** December 04, 2013, 08:00:16 AM »

I love my lesters.... They look great. I also smashed into the side of a Civic at speed and did absolutely no damage to the rim... Folded up the forks though.

fdbrat · « **Reply #18 on:** December 04, 2013, 11:10:49 PM »

Damn. Yeah. I'm pretty happy with my purchase. I actually have Lester's on my xs650 too. The 7 spoke is rad. I also like the 10 spokes. Mmmmm. Candy.

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Author Topic: Are these Kawi mags or Lesters? (Read 6071 times)

srook

srook

srook