Author Topic: lester mag wheels  (Read 4420 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

slikwilli420

  • Guest
lester mag wheels
« on: March 16, 2006, 10:07:36 AM »
I absolutely love the look of the 7 spoke lester mags. I have been looking around on ebay for a pair, and they have proven to be very tough to get my hands on. My question is, how much should i expect to pay for a set in decent shape? I should also mention that y rear wheel is disc brake, and im not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Offline SteveD CB500F

  • Global Moderator
  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,553
  • Ride on the Steel Breeze...
    • TVAM
Re: lester mag wheels
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2006, 11:39:05 AM »
Search for the Lester Wheel threads (there are some).

There were a set on eBay (UK) last month.  £200.  500/550 (Drum rear)
SOHC4 Member #2393
2015 Tiger 800 XRT
1971 CB500K0 (US Model)

Offline Geeto67

  • A grumpy
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,823
Re: lester mag wheels
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2006, 12:21:08 PM »
you really should fill out your location. Seeing as hwo we have a number of international members it is hard to answers questions about cost of things when we don;t know if we are answering to UK market, or US market, or Aus market, etc....

Expect to pay a lot. They are being reproduced in japan brand new for a bunch of bikes (including new bikes like triumphs) but I think they cost around $3500 US for a new set. Used I'd expect to pay in the $200 to $500 range for a set for a super sport. It will be really hard to find a set for your year since so few were made for the transitional super sport so I would suggest you purchasing them individually. any lester or morris for a 1969-1976 K bike should work for the front, but the rear is going to be kinda hard, you may have to convert to the 77-78 style brake setup. Dennis Kirk was selling NOS rears for the 77-78 SS a while back so you may want to check with them first.
Maintenance Matters Most

slikwilli420

  • Guest
Re: lester mag wheels
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2006, 05:26:55 PM »
Is there any way, even though they are shaft drive, that with some ingenuity and patience, i could rig a lester from a goldwing to adapt to my rear setup? I realize i would need to figure out a sprocket mounting system, but can it be done? Is the spacing for an early goldwing rear wheel the same as mine? I'm just wondering what exaclty may be involved because there are a bunch of these online now, and they are cheap compared to other lesters ive seen.

Offline Rookster

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 729
Re: lester mag wheels
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2006, 05:31:16 PM »
it took me about 6-8 months to find a front and a rear for my cb750k.  i would expect to get them seperatly and don't be too fussy about condition because you can always paint the spokes and have the rim polished like original.  i paid approx $125 for the rear and $150 for the front.  i also lost many auctions because i wasn't willing to pay too much for them.  the front 6bolt brake rotor wheels are easier to find than the 5bolt.  not sure what you have.  there is good compatibility on the 6bolt fronts because the 550, 750, early goldwing and the early super sport all used the same lester wheel.  this is good news for you because sellers don't know this.  so if you need the 6bolt anyone advertised for those models will work.  the 5bolt front only fit the later super sport and the goldwing (after 1978 i think), these are the comstar wheel bikes.  disk rear or the drum rear are hard to find period.  the goldwing rears sold by dennis kirk won't work because they are shaft drive.  i never really investigated this but the lester front wheel for the 1979 triumph bonneville is also a 6bolt.  it may be the same wheel as the honda 6bolt.  if you find a bonneville front lester cheap enough it may be worth it to pick it up.  ebay is really the only place to find lesters with any frequency.  there is a demand for them though, so don't expect to pick one up for $50.  final note, unless the wheels are new in the box, they will have some tire iron marks.  not a big deal because you can file off the high spots but you will never get rid of the low spots.  don't expect mint lesters unless you are paying upwards of $300 per wheel.  good luck.
scott

Offline Rookster

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 729
Re: lester mag wheels
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2006, 05:50:26 PM »
those cheap goldwing rears are tempting.  i asked myself the same question when i was looking.  the practical answer is no.  anything can be machined to work but the cost becomes much too high to have a machine shop set it up.  if you have access to the tools and the know-how then the cost doesn't matter but since you  asked the question i'm guessing you are not a machinist.  me either.  i look at this question the same as having a new lester wheel cut from a wheel blank in a cnc machine.  it can definatly be done and look great but the cost is outrageous.  for $20 or $50 you may want to try it out, but it will cost you some money and may never look as good as the correct one.  the deal with these lesters is if you want them for this riding season then you will probably be disappointed but if you want them for next spring/summer it is doable without breaking the bank.  good luck
scott

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,979
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: lester mag wheels
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2006, 08:58:23 AM »
Now I have a pair of  Alloys to fit an F2 available, not sure if they are lesters but they look oK just needing a repaint. These are in the UK but i will ship anywhere at buyers cost. Make me an offer pictures available. Front complete with discs, speedo drive and axle. Rear with sprocket and disc (i think)
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline crazypj

  • I'm brill, me
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,467
  • first 100,000 miles. 1977 CB550F
Re: lester mag wheels
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2006, 10:30:12 AM »
If you just want the Lester7 spoke style take a look at 1977 on Yamaha XS400-1100 range, they should be relatively cheap, particularly if you want a 16" rear. I have a complete 16" drum brake rear for XS400 collecting dust.
PJ
I fake being smart pretty good
'you can take my word for it or argue until you find out I'm right'