[tsflstb]

I've got a '75 Honda 400F. 18" 36 hole, WM2 front and WM3 rear. I want alloy rims...specifically these alloy rims. They come in the right sizes for my bike but are not made specifically for my hubs.

Never having laced a wheel before, how much of a factor is the angle of the nipples in the rim? These are 18" 36 hole rims, but they're made for the rear wheel of small Honda and KTM dirtbikes. Can the spoke patterns be so far off that they won't work?

I know I could write a check to Buchanans and have some rims custom drilled, but thought I'd check these out first.

 

[jbranson]

My guess is that if your bike has a disk brake hub they would probably be fine....if it has drum brakes forget it, the hole angles will be way off.

And yes the spoke hole angle is pretty important...probably more than ten degrees different and it will tend to bend the spoke as you tighten it. I have....in emergencies, dremeled out the spoke holes a tad to compensate for a wrong angle...but it's a touchy process.
JohnnyB

 

[joe c]

any good wheel place will drill them for you. and dimple. or have it done. buchanons, eastern etc.



jc

"tex, if your bikes a cheater, its not a very good one"

 

[Diamondj]

Bear in mind Excel uses a larger than standard nipple on their rims. You will have to buy a set of Excel spokes or nipples to get the job done. Usually if the spoke angle is wrong for a rim you like, they can be redrilled and larger nipples used to make up for it. You lose this option with the Excel rims.

Jim

 

[tsflstb]

Thanks for the replies. That Excel nipple size thing would have bit me in the ass. Seems like there's no cheap easy way here. I probably shouldn't improvise on something like this anyway.

 

[krapfever]

quote:
Thanks for the replies. That Excel nipple size thing would have bit me in the ass. Seems like there's no cheap easy way here. I probably shouldn't improvise on something like this anyway.

Naw, man. You've got the right thinking. Retro-fitting different brand/model/style parts onto a workable machine is what its all about. These rims might not work out, but not because they're against "the rules." Just a simple matter of fit. Even if it doesn't work out, I respect a guy who's open minded enough to consider a dirt bike rim on a street bike.





Honda go sideways!

 

[tsflstb]

I think I've got the front rim covered. The disk hub is pretty common and I found a nice new Excel rim on ebay for cheap.

Right now I'm on the hunt for an alloy rim for my drum rear. I'm looking for a stock XS650 rim to have anodized, but people are nuts right now. The last two on ebay have gone for over $100, and even my local salvage yards are asking $100 for alloy rims. Damn you all for making this cafe crap popular.

Anyway, I'm trying to broaden my search. Old Montessas run Akronts and have the right specs. Problem is they all have these rim locks. What exactly are those and would it be wise (or even possible) to run them on a street bike?

 

[kenessex]

I run the rear wm-3 rims off of older dirt bikes on my race bike. The front is off of an 80s vintage RM125 it is anodized gold and my front is off a cr125. I found them both on e-bay for under $25 each. I cut the spokes with a bolt cutter and threw away the hubs cause they were both junk. That is why I got them so cheap. Don't worry about the rim locks. They are just bolt in rubber clamps that hold a dirtbike tire from slipping on the rim. They just leave a hole in the rim that looks like a valve stem hole. Either leave it or fit a rubber plug in it.


Ken

AHRMA 412
Vintage racing - old guys on old bikes

 

[champ]

Good one Ken,

As long as the spoke angle isn't too far off, building and lacing wheels are a piece of cake. Trueing is another subject....parks?

JS

 

[monkey]

dude

like champ says... lace it up on a trueing stand or a swing arm in a bench vise.... tighten each spoke a small bit, working around the rim eventually you will end up with a wheel. Making sure the wheel is true and the spokes are properly torqued is another story

You might not get it right the first time... by the 50th time you will be pretty good

do it

matt

latered

 

[tsflstb]

Well shit. I got my new spokes in the mail and my bubble has burst.

I didn't have any specs on this front rim, it was cheap and shiny and I was in an ignorant Ebaying bliss. Anyway, I think I'm screwed. With the nips and spokes in, the distance where they would meet the hub is about 5" from side to side. My hub is about 3" wide. These are the big .343 nipples, so I can't drill and go up a size. The 8 gauge spokes aren't very bendy. Do I have any other options?

Grind some relief into the holes? Put it back on Ebay and start over? If it won't work is it best to just fork over the $180 to have Buchanan drill one, or is there another 18" option for a Honda disk hub?

On the flip side, the $9.99 Akront for the rear wheel looks like a winner. I just can't stay mad at Ebay.

 

[tsflstb]

Well shit. I got my new spokes in the mail and my bubble has burst.

I didn't have any specs on this front rim, it was cheap and shiny and I was in an ignorant Ebaying bliss. Anyway, I think I'm screwed. With the nips and spokes in, the distance where they would meet the hub is about 5" from side to side. My hub is about 3" wide. These are the big .343 nipples, so I can't drill and go up a size. The 8 gauge spokes aren't very bendy. Do I have any other options?

Grind some relief into the holes? Put it back on Ebay and start over? If it won't work is it best to just fork over the $180 to have Buchanan drill one, or is there another 18" option for a Honda disk hub?

On the flip side, the $9.99 Akront for the rear wheel looks like a winner. I just can't stay mad at Ebay.

 

[jbranson]

I've ground a relief on spoke holes before, for the same reason, but not to that degree. I only needed a slight correction. You never want to flex the spokes to fit in the holes. I've seen a lot of wheels at the race track with bendy spokes.
Something funny is going on there...no small Honda or KTM has a rear hub that wide. Looks like the holes were drilled wrong, very radical angle on them.
I've end up having Buc's drill most of my rims...pre-drilled and dimpled Excel rims rarely have the right angle for a vintage hub. I use Excels on all my bikes and I like them, but they don't come off the shelf with the right angles for drum brakes ( in my case).
JohnnyB

 

[jbranson]

I've ground a relief on spoke holes before, for the same reason, but not to that degree. I only needed a slight correction. You never want to flex the spokes to fit in the holes. I've seen a lot of wheels at the race track with bendy spokes.
Something funny is going on there...no small Honda or KTM has a rear hub that wide. Looks like the holes were drilled wrong, very radical angle on them.
I've end up having Buc's drill most of my rims...pre-drilled and dimpled Excel rims rarely have the right angle for a vintage hub. I use Excels on all my bikes and I like them, but they don't come off the shelf with the right angles for drum brakes ( in my case).
JohnnyB