[InfiniteEquilibrium]

What up!

So I’m only a few years in to customising bikes and learning more everyday. I encountered something new to me just recently and was wondering what needs to be done to fulfil this kind of “mod” if you will. Im talking about increasing the number of spokes for that more “classic” look. I’ve obviously had the thought of drilling the hubs and rims to increase the spokage but was wondering if there’s an easy way to go about it…like a less mad max way.
I will enclose a photo of what I mean, is there a place I can purchase rims and hubs with more spoke holes? Is that a thing?

Thanks in advance!
Jordan

 

[Classic250]

I very much doubt whether drilling the rims would work. Each spoke has a recess for the nipple of the spoke to fit into so that the base of the nipple is flush with the rim on the inside, so as not to abrade the tube. For sure there is someone out there selling the rims that you like - you've got a pic of one.

Just Google 'multi spoke motorcycle rims' - plenty of pics with links.

 

[BigAl8295]

That tire. Wow. You could float down the river on that thing.

 

[TrialsRider]

Hey Jordan, being a mechanical engineer perhaps you can understand the concept of inertia; The heavier you make that front wheel, the more prone your motorcycle will be to wobble and wiggle at speed when you hit bumps. Inertia is the enemy to your motorcycles suspension dampening and adding more weight to your front wheel is going to be counter-productive to your motorcycles handling. So to the question: Is this a thing? <- no, not really.

 

[InfiniteEquilibrium]

Hey mate, that makes a lot of sense! I’ve not really thought about it deeply just a surface idea as I thought that would more of a last resort idea! I’ll have a look now and see if I can find any!

 

[InfiniteEquilibrium]

That tire. Wow. You could float down the river on that thing.

Ayy you certainly could, but I couldn’t recommend them enough! Total game changer to how your bike glides and the manoeuvres, if your looking to change feel…as the mandalorian would say…this is the way 🙏🏼

 

[InfiniteEquilibrium]

Hey Jordan, being a mechanical engineer perhaps you can understand the concept of inertia; The heavier you make that front wheel, the more prone your motorcycle will be to wobble and wiggle at speed when you hit bumps. Inertia is the enemy to your motorcycles suspension dampening and adding more weight to your front wheel is going to be counter-productive to your motorcycles handling. So to the question: Is this a thing? <- no, not really.

Hey mate, thanks for the reply! I understand what you’re saying but would double the spokes really add that much weight? I mean the bike I plan to add this “mod” to already has been upgraded to sawtooth tyres and hefty forks, I don’t feel it would be so counter productive. Plus I’m more about aesthetics than practicality 😅😂

 

[TrialsRider]

The Only reason to spoke a rim like that is aesthetics.
Check with places that sell custom Chopper stuff, it's a Chopper thing.
... or Baggers that's another thing almost the same that evolved from Choppers
Motorcycle shows are good too.

 

[TrialsRider]

lol I just noticed that when they got to the valve stem they just left a spoke out. That doesn't look very proper, I think that is a 100% home grown modification, not something you can buy out of a catalogue.

 

[woodsman]

Ayy you certainly could, but I couldn’t recommend them enough! Total game changer to how your bike glides and the manoeuvres, if your looking to change feel…as the mandalorian would say…this is the way 🙏🏼

Jordon those tires are junk. I don't know who/what the mandalorian are but they don't know shit about bikes.

 

[InfiniteEquilibrium]

The tyres are not mine, also I’m in south-east Asia where the quality isn’t as high but for what I use my stuff it works great. Everything in the States and Europe is way over priced for bike parts. Everybody is getting ripped on. I’m not on a race track so why by super expensive tyres? They work rain or shine and have had no problems as of yet…I’ll change mine when they need changing no problems. Sounds like your sold on advertising…

 

[woodsman]

The tyres are not mine, also I’m in south-east Asia where the quality isn’t as high but for what I use my stuff it works great. Everything in the States and Europe is way over priced for bike parts. Everybody is getting ripped on. I’m not on a race track so why by super expensive tyres? They work rain or shine and have had no problems as of yet…I’ll change mine when they need changing no problems. Sounds like your sold on advertising…

"Sounds like your sold on advertising", LOL. From here it "sounds like" you don't know how quality and price are often related. There are a lot of tire options available between the clown shoes you posted and slicks. Any modern road tire would be better than the over sized trailer tire they used on your example.
There is no argument to be had here, the tire in your example is not for road use. It probably says that on the tire, it certainly does on the ones sold here.

Your introduction said "looking for knowledge", is that social media type knowledge? The kind of knowledge that suits your thinking OR are you seeking useful knowledge? Words of wisdom that will help you put together motorcycles that function well and stand out in a crowd.

You will find lots of advice here but it will focus on the function of the bike until it has been maximized and then the styling will be completed. Provided it doesn't compromise the ride.

 

[TrialsRider]

80% of the worlds natural rubber comes from Southeast Asia. By rights you should have the best and cheapest tire options in the world with major companies manufacturing tires in Vietnam that include: Bridgestone, Michelin, Yokohama, Kumho, Cheng Shin, Kenda, Sailun, Guizhou Tire, Jinyu, and Goodyear.

Quality tires and suspension is what makes a motorcycle safe to ride at higher speeds then your average farm tractor can travel.

 

[CaTacL1sm]

That tiny patch of rubber (less than a few square centimeters total) is the only thing connecting you to the road. Tires and safety gear are the two areas where you absolutely want to spend money on the best you can afford.

 

[crazypj]

AFAIK, the 1983 Yamaha XS650 Heritage Special is the easiest to get rims and spokes for.
Maybe you should take a look at that before spending a ton on custom hubs and rims?
Many people who know how to build wheels have had a few issues with them and they are 'only' 64 (F) and 48 (R) compared to the 36/36 spokes of 'stock' bikes

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