Stainless Steel wheels rebuilders

[1340fxd]

This winter will have been the last for the original rims on my KZ1000 A2 - the chrome is now so thin that the rust has grown like moss on a wet lawn.

I want to have the wheels re-built using S/S rims and spokes. What is important is to keep the bike looking as original as possible and so the rim profile should match the original as closely as possible.

The wheels are:
Front: 19â€Â￾ (TYRE SIZE 3.25H – 19 4PR)
Rear: 18â€Â￾ (TYRE SIZE 4.00H – 18 4PR)

Can anyone recommend a good building firm (preferably in or close to the SE of England) and a stainless stell rim which profile is close to the original?

[Garn 1]

1340fxd, to find a person to spoke-up your wheel is easy as most motorcycle shops know of an expert. To find stainless spokes is easy (Buchanan in USA, come in best value for money).

The hardest part is finding a stainless-steel rim of the same form as the Takasago or DID rim. There are two manufactures/ agents that I know of and one is in your home country. However, the particular stainless the latter are made of, is slightly yellow and has a nickel look about them. whereas, the other has a great chrome look.

This is not the end of the story and this is where the "wheel builders" come in. Professional wheel builder cover spoke-makers, rim-drillers & spoke tensioning. In particular rim drilling, where the spokes have to be drilled for different hubs. The rims that I selected had that great chrome look, but their drilling leaved a lot to be desired. They did not allow for the larger rear-hub on the Z1. In the case of the Z1000-A2 the rear hub has different flange sizes and would have to drilled to a different configuration.

I know about this drilling as I have recently, accidently received a rear Z1000-A2 rim back from the electro-platers instead of my rear Z1 series rim. This caused a lot of concern as the guy who was spoking my wheel said... It just don't work! I said it must it's a 40 hole Takasago rim!..... My mistake.

RegardZ

[london calling]

HAGON are wheel builders in east end

[MaineKZ]

Hi FXD

Don't think I've ever seen a posting on the site from anyone who's found a stainless rim that's a good match to the orig Tagasako.
If your original rims aren't damaged or really seriously pitted, I'd always say refurb your original rather than replace. A nice new chrome finish is tough and easy to maintain too - really don't need to go stainless.
Best chromer I've found - who's a restoration specialist - is MARQUE RESTORE. Just outside Coventry so not too far.
When you've picked the rims up, drop over to CENTRAL WHEEL COMPONENTS near Birmingham to have them laced up.
This way you'll get to see all that the Midlands have to offer - bonus Dude!

[Garn 1]

MaineKZ, the two that I have found are:
1. At Hagons (I think), imported to Australia about 3 years ago- good Takasago style but looked a bit nickel yellow. Also, I noticed the rear wheel was a dash thiner (approx 3/16") in thickness to the Takasago.
2. Recently (last 6 months) on e-bay under the name of Britspares. These are great looking, beat chrome anyday. look like Takasago! These have that problem I spoke about above, of being drilled for a smaller flanged hub. Had trouble getting the steeper angle for the larger rear hub.

I couldn't find web site, here are some details. I think the agent, David P, is based in USA. Very well priced, however, need to ensure that drilling is rectified.

Maintained by: britispares( 840)
Welcome to Britispares eBay store!! One stop shop for Classic British and European motorcycle spares. Our goal is to offer quality spares at the best price offered anywhere on the web. You will find Stainless Rims, Electric Replacement parts, Reproduction parts and Classic Motorcycle Literature.

RegardZ

PS. I don't know how you guys in UK are with chrome. In Australia it's gone thru the roof. It is usually the price of the second hand article that need chroming. The brief reason given was that China has made demands on nickel that has driven up it's price and it's availability.

[phil churchett]

As Chris [Maine KZ], says, Central Wheel here in the Midlands are very good. I've used them, so do the National M/C Museum.

[dave cullen]

for gods sake mate, get your original rims rechromed!
i had stainless rims on my A1 when i got it, they hadnt been looked after and they looked like shit, you cant beat the look of a niceshiny set of chrome rims;
after months of trying to find a second hand original fitment rear rim, (the fronts no problem), i gave up and got the nearest i could but the chrome finish isnt brilliant on it;
ive now got a set of seconhand wheels and i will be getting them stripped and rechromed in due course