Topic: Question on Buchanan stainless spokes - CB750

[mycb750k6]

A friend just brought his CB750 K0 wheels by for me to install bearings. He had new Buchanan stainless spokes. They looked really big. Does anyone know if they are typically bigger around than stock because these were? I don't know what gauge stock are but the Buchanan site listed 8-9 ga. They look too big. Also they were not polished either so didn't look that great. I know stainless polishes up really nice but do you have to do that yourself? I put stock spokes on my wheels with brass nipples a few months ago but they are already trying to oxidize and corrode but they still look better to me that big fat spokes. My preference would be to get polished stainless in stock ga with brass nipples next time.

[nokrome]

  my stainless buchanans spokes measure the same as my stock spokes on the front (.157 on the big portion that attaches to the hub and .127 on the longer part that screws into the nipple.)
  on the back they measure .180 on the big end  and .139 on the small end for the stainless buchanans and on my other bike that has a 16' rim on the back they are .161 all the way across
  polishing costs extra, i didnt get mine polished but i thought they looked really good anyway
  I did have to send mine back when i first got them because they were not bent just right but customer service was good and they got the correct spokes back to me quickly

[MCRider]

What nokrome said. Also, you have to specify your gauge when ordering, and I daresay, most order "heavy duty" which means a heavier gauge with a bigger nipple. I prefer the big look spokes the stockers look like a bicycle, though they are up to it for sure, generally.

I ran stock gauge spokes on my roadracer and in a four hour endurance race had 4 broken spokes at the end. Wider tire with good horsepower.

If one gets the HD spokes, I doubt the nipples would fit in a stock rim. They are tight in the stock hub, and often take a little force to get them to pop around the corner.

And yes polishing is extra.

[MCRider]

Drifting from your question, I think that stainless is generally weaker than the same amount of steel. So a stock gauge stainless spoke may be weaker or at least no stronger than stock. hence the larger gauges.

I'd need a metal guy to confirm this. Doesn't really mattter to me as i always get the larger gauge and i know its stronger.

[swellguy]

Drifting from your question, I think that stainless is generally weaker than the same amount of steel. So a stock gauge stainless spoke may be weaker or at least no stronger than stock. hence the larger gauges.

I'd need a metal guy to confirm this. Doesn't really mattter to me as i always get the larger gauge and i know its stronger.

I think it depends on the grade of steel. Because it can't be hardened it is about the same strength of say a grade 2 fastener of mild steel. I just don't know what grade of steel or what kind of hardening was used on OE spokes.
Most people I know who have had wheels built wanted stainless over chromed steel spokes in the belief they are stronger, but again, it might be a common misconception.
I do know that getting any work done by/from Buchanan is first class though.

[mycb750k6]

Thanks guys, I think I got it. I like shiny stuff though and make things shiny when I can. Maybe I belong over in the Harley forum

BTW, does that bike have it's own room with hardwood floors and all? Do you have a TV in there so it can watch Oprah during the day?    What a bike. I bet it's sand cast as well.

[wannabridin]

Well it all depends on what grade stainless they are.  Stainless can be heat treated to bring up the hardness, but like usual, at a cost of brittleness.  Stainless has a minimum amount of chromium, 10.5% I believe, which resist corrosion unlike regular alloy steel.  So usually, stainless is no stronger than regular alloy steel, it's just a lot tougher to get it to rust/stain...

[mycb750k6]

Thanks. I'll call Buchanan I guess after all with this mountain of information but I gotta have the brass nipples to look stock. Not stainless or nickel. Gold zinc plated nipples? Really?

I'm still drooling over that blue K0 above though. Gold zinc plated nipples or not. Must be worth a fortune. Makes me want to go out in the garage and kick mine over.

[andy750]

Some more shots of buchanan spokes..I have them on the K4



On the left is stock on the right is Buchanans



More photos in my K4 signature link...

cheers
Andy

[betterthanurs916]

andy...is that an aluminum wheel on the right? Or is it just the lighting?

[andy750]

andy...is that an aluminum wheel on the right? Or is it just the lighting?

I believe its Buchanan alu rims. PO bought the wheels so not 100%.

[MagneticWest]

Hi Andy,

Nice bike!  What tires are those, and how do they handle?

Thanks,
Dave

[andy750]

Hi Andy,

Nice bike!  What tires are those, and how do they handle?

Bridgestone BT-45s and they handle excellent in wet/dry.

[Tripps]

@ Andy and/or 736- Did you guys ever have fenders, rims, or headers chromed? I'd just like to have some rough, ballpark idea of how much something like that cost, my chrome is pretty good, but I'm considering redoing the whole bike, and I'm new to this stuff, having trouble deciding how far to go.

[andy750]

Tripps contact forum member MCRIDER (Ron) - he just had many items chromed at Browns. Its not cheap. Good luck! Andy

[MCRider]

@ Andy and/or 736- Did you guys ever have fenders, rims, or headers chromed? I'd just like to have some rough, ballpark idea of how much something like that cost, my chrome is pretty good, but I'm considering redoing the whole bike, and I'm new to this stuff, having trouble deciding how far to go.

Tripps: Browns www.Brownsplating.com  has a price list in their catalog you can read online or download, for the CB750, but other bikes would be similar. Not cheap, but likely the best their is.

For a header, i would consider a ceramic coating from a PowderCoater. Indypowdercoating.com has a price list as well.  If you can do without chrome, pseudo chrome powdercoat or ceramic is a good alternative.

[Tripps]

Thanks much, MCRider, that's what I was looking for, just a ballpark. We have a local place with a good reputation I'll probably use, but all I could get out of the bike shop owner that recommended them was "everything's different". ( Harley Guy, LOL, but nice enough). He did say to make sure to tell them you want "show chrome" but added that he thought that was standard for them.

PS- M109 Rear fender-$435-Yikes! Looked at the Honda stuff, smaller, not quite so steep.