Wilsons Sandbox

Dash Weeks wrote:

> Well I did it. I did my homework and decided today that my

wheels need a

> paint job along with the rest of my bike. > So I un-laced them and found many surprises. First, 12" tire

irons are not

> long enough... New blood blister and couple quarts of sweat

later I got the

> tires off the rims. Second, nearly 80% of the spoke nipples

were rusted to

> the spokes. Using a cordless drill with phillips bit was an

excellent way

> of quickly removing the spoke nipples. Kawi Spoke Nipples are

over $1 each

> and I need 72 of them. CHA CHING. Spokes range from $2-$2.50

CHA

> CHING. Luckly I salvaged all but 6 of those. > > Here are my questions... has anyone laced with spokes or

nipples that were

> not Kawi stock parts. Exccel makes rims but do they make the

rest? Are

> they cheaper/better than the stock parts? Should I use

anti-seize when

> re-installing the nipples? Should I use some sort of sealant to

deter water

> from entering the rim. After they are laced up, should I coat

or paint

> over the ends of the nipples to keep rust from forming again? > > It was all pretty rusted in there, so that is why I am asking

and trying to

> figure out the best preventive procedure. > > LaterZ > Dash

Greetings, all. Been lurking for a while as a means to finding out what things to watch out for with these bikes, as I've concluded that I need a little more range and comfort than my KTM is giving me and a little more agility than my BMW provides. By inference, I've picked up a fair amount of knowledge - thanks - and am presently scoping for a late model 650. As for Dash's question, heavier-duty spoke sets are available from Buchanan's, usually of stainless. Don't be surprised if the rims must be drilled out to accomodate a more robust nipple - this is tedious and exacting work, so best to buy all components in a 'matched' set. Excel will generally not be cheaper than stock, although dealer mark-ups can push stock prices really high; there's no predicting cost of stock parts. Anti-seize should absolutely, positively be used during reassembly; if used, further sealing of spoke ends isn't necessary. A rough figure per wheel will be $100 for rim, $1.00 per spoke, $1.25 ~ 1.50 per nipple: roughly $200 per end though it is possible to get out cheaper. You'll need a truing stand and proper wrench and will need to pay attention to dish as well as axial and radial runout. It's tedious work and can be frustrating, so be forewarned. Incidentally, the little discussion running around the last week or two about BMW's and KLR's and what their relative strengths and weaknesses are was kinda fun to watch from the sidelines. Tom Bowman Atlanta http://www.ibmwr.org/pastevnt/stories/AlaskaSojourn/AlaskaSojourn .htm `99 Big Dog Ride IBA AHRMA vintage mx

Ok I'm faced with a decision that I think requires the insight from the Collective. I have both rims unlaced and my rims and hubs are now painted. I have decided to cancel my stock parts order and will get the Buchanan spokes. (thanks to those who gave me that insight) They are $72.50 per wheel. I can have them lace and true for $72.00 each That's ~3 Bills for both rims. I am thinking, (while I'm at it) perhaps the excel rims are the way to go. I am torn between paying $350 and I lace the Excels or paying $500 and they lace them. Money is no object as I don't have any to begin with and I'll be paying for them for year on a credit card. Will that $150 be better spent on a new modified Corbin. Should I forget the excels and have my stockers mounted and still have the money for the Corbin? Should I stand over my skeletonized bike frame and make VRROOOOM sounds while drinking a beer? Are the excel rims that much better than stock? Stonger? Lighter? I can't find any specifics on them. Will they make my bike faster or cooler? Will they make me better looking and will I have to beat down the chicks trying to grab a ride? Will people give me free beer for having them or will I be forced to go beerless for a year while paying for them? Yeah Right!! I am not the first to contemplate this and I'll not be the last. Share with me your wisdom. laterZ Dash

> >I was actually going to do all of this a few weks ago with a set of bent

rims

>from a salvaged KLR. I think Fred still has all of the info he researched >for me. I was going to go with black Excel rims from and back and heavy

duty

>spokes and nipples. I think total cost was somewhere in the range of

$350.00.

> >Gino

A2 - Da' Bomb No Longer Crashing for Beer Will wheelie for Virgin Oil

> >Ok I'm faced with a decision that I think requires the insight from the >Collective. >

Dash, There's no logic to money. Some agonize over the price of ground beef then hurry to buy a $200 chrome do-dad for their Harley. Go for it; get the best wheels and have someone lace them. Are you a slave? Also get a seat but forget the Corbin; buy a Mayer or a Russel. You're dead a long, long time. Say hi to Dot, Bogdan ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com