Topic: Alloy rims... Yes? No? Maybe?

[grumpy]

The rear rim on the K3 has had a flat spot since I bought it.
Plus it looks ratty - the PO gnarfed it good with tire irons.

So, I've been thinking about replacing it w/ an aluminum rim (because alu is lighter).
I assume aluminum isn't as strong as steel - but my rim is at least 41 years old so maybe modern alloys are better?
I know guys here build wheels with alloy rims but I can't find any discussion of the pros/cons
Any advice?

[andrewk]

Only con I can think of is forking over the cash.

 

[MCRider]

Alloy = cooler.

If you hit something hard enough to bend an alloy rim, it will likely bend a steel rim too.  Maybe not as much, but once either is bent, even a little, they're toast.

Also, some steel rims have a flat spot in them at the weld when new. Quality control.

I would always replace a steel with an alloy, unless you're trying to keep it original.

Besides, alloy is cooler. Oh, already said that.   

[Magilla]

I have a set of factory alloy wheels that I will sell for a fair price.

[Tetter]

Alloys !

Love my own ..... and these were cheaper than a set of Original DID's 

[calj737]

Pro's - lighter, seamless, corrosion resistant
Con's - more expensive, marginally more fragile (I discount this due to tire sidewall offering ample protection for most impact damage)

[greenjeans]

There's a guy on ebay selling aluminum rims, supposedly from the same maker that does the modern Borranis - take that with a grain of salt)
They are cheap - $89 or &99 bucks.  I have a set and they were round, flat and pretty darn true. 

One thing that new aluminum rims will make you do.....  new spokes.   Nice shiney aluminum sure makes old spokes look old.

[dave500]

nothing wrong with alloy rims,look at the pounding dirt bikes give them.

[Retro Rocket]

nothing wrong with alloy rims,look at the pounding dirt bikes give them.

Absolutely...+100

[grumpy]

cool.

so what's good? Excel? DID? Borrani? Something else?

oh, and yeah - new spoke for sure.

[calj737]

All of those, plus Sun from Buchanans

[FunJimmy]

Alloy for sure. Looks alone would be a good reason, but corrosion resistance and a lower MOI (momentum of inertia) are even better. You'll out accelerate and out brake your buddies with steelies.

[dave500]

mine are sun rims with no spoke dimple.

[Tews19]

There's a guy on ebay selling aluminum rims, supposedly from the same maker that does the modern Borranis - take that with a grain of salt)
They are cheap - $89 or &99 bucks.  I have a set and they were round, flat and pretty darn true. 

One thing that new aluminum rims will make you do.....  new spokes.   Nice shiney aluminum sure makes old spokes look old.

Do you have the links GJ?

[chewbacca5000]

There's a guy on ebay selling aluminum rims, supposedly from the same maker that does the modern Borranis - take that with a grain of salt)
They are cheap - $89 or &99 bucks.  I have a set and they were round, flat and pretty darn true. 

One thing that new aluminum rims will make you do.....  new spokes.   Nice shiney aluminum sure makes old spokes look old.

Does he have the 19" front wheel too?  I got the 18" rear wheel just need the front.

[PeWe]

Borrani was WOW for MANY years ago, still is! Typical for café racers. Slightly modified OEM CB750 with Giuliari Cafe Racer Seat, handlebar as clubman or clip-on, Borranis.... a classic beautiful look!

http://www.borraniamericas.com/html/motorcycle.html
http://www.motocicliveloci.it/inglese/catalogue/cerchiborrani_uk.htm

I had plans of order Borrani rims from Italy but I did the easiest.... did D.I.D as I did for 30 years ago! CMSNL with spokes.

[Tetter]

There's a guy on ebay selling aluminum rims, supposedly from the same maker that does the modern Borranis - take that with a grain of salt)
They are cheap - $89 or &99 bucks.  I have a set and they were round, flat and pretty darn true. 

One thing that new aluminum rims will make you do.....  new spokes.   Nice shiney aluminum sure makes old spokes look old.

Do you have the links GJ?

Mine are actually the Borrani "look alikes" from E-bay.it 
http://www.ebay.it/itm/CERCHIO-IN-ALLUMINIO-ALUMINUM-RIM-PROFILO-TIPO-BORRANI-RECORD-18-X-1-85-40F-/380889016912?pt=Ricambi_e_Accessori_Moto&hash=item58aec12a50



Good service, and decent quality rims, my nephew whom spoked them did found a flatspot where the weld is, but I do not notice anything in riding.

Borrani was WOW for MANY years ago, still is! Typical for café racers. Slightly modified OEM CB750 with Giuliari Cafe Racer Seat, handlebar as clubman or clip-on, Borranis.... a classic beautiful look!

http://www.borraniamericas.com/html/motorcycle.html
http://www.motocicliveloci.it/inglese/catalogue/cerchiborrani_uk.htm

I had plans of order Borrani rims from Italy but I did the easiest.... did D.I.D as I did for 30 years ago! CMSNL with spokes.

Alloys, Giuliari, clubmans..... hmm talking about my bike are you Pewe ?   

[Bankerdanny]

You can get an aluminum front easily by swapping in a front from a 750 automatic. It should be a direct bolt on with no mods needed.

The rear on the 750A is also aluminum, but it's a 17", so you will need to replace the tire and possibly change the rear sprocket to get your gearing back to stock.

[grumpy]

so will any 2.15 x 18 work?
are they front/rear specific or are there any particular specs I need to look for?

 

[grcamna2]

I have a set of factory alloy wheels that I will sell for a fair price.

I'm fairly certain that these Factory Honda (Comstar's?)Alloy Wheels are even lighter w/ less unsprung weight(flywheel 'spinning' weight)than a spoked stock wheel w/ an alloy rim installed.That'll give you more performance if you like the style

[calj737]

Hole pattern. If you use a non-stock rim, getting the correct spokes may be tricky.

[grumpy]

I'm just not  fan of Comstars or mags in general. They just don't look right to me...

I'm seeing 40 holes offered by several manufacturers so that shouldn't be a problem.

[Tetter]

so will any 2.15 x 18 work?
are they front/rear specific or are there any particular specs I need to look for?

I have a 2,5 X 18  40 holes.  front like original 1,85 X 19

[MCRider]

I'm just not  fan of Comstars or mags in general. They just don't look right to me...

I'm seeing 40 holes offered by several manufacturers so that shouldn't be a problem.

Generally, hole spacing is not a problem. The patterns are either Jap or Old School British. So get Jap. Then the diameter of the holes is usually great enough that the spoke can swing in the hole enough to compensate for different diameter hubs. Never seen a problem in actual use, though theoretically there could be a problem, Just ask the questions before you buy.

I bot a 2.15 x 18 front and a 3.5 x 17 rear (Excel) for my CB750K2 (obviously different sizes than stock) and they laced right up, no spoke binding.

[chewbacca5000]

Mine are actually the Borrani "look alikes" from E-bay.it 
http://www.ebay.it/itm/CERCHIO-IN-ALLUMINIO-ALUMINUM-RIM-PROFILO-TIPO-BORRANI-RECORD-18-X-1-85-40F-/380889016912?pt=Ricambi_e_Accessori_Moto&hash=item58aec12a50

I just requested a shipping quote let's see if he emails back.  The exchange rate is very favorable right now.