Any consensus on the best replacement rims?

tim · Post by **tim** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:50 am

Seeing as my C95 restoration is likely to live its life indoors and not get ridden much anytime soon (I have 5 other bikes in various states of running/project), I've decided the old rims and spokes need to be replaced. Chrome is bubbling, spokes are crusty.

I'm going to look into having the rims rechromed, but failing that, are people generally buying the UNION CYCLE stamped rims from Thailand as replacements?

At $130 or so shipped for a pair, they're not expensive, but I'd be happy to spend another $100 if it meant getting a higher quality rim.

MikesXS.com sells very nice polished 36 hole WM style alloy rims for $90 a pop, but the 16" size is a WM2.5 rim width which is I believe significantly wider than the stock C95 rims.

Any tips / suggestions on which rims to source? I'd like to put this thing up on 2 wheels so I can finish it off.

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 8:10 am

The tops in the business Buchanan's, seems, IMO, to deliver. I have not used them yet but plan on it when the budget allows.
Other than that careful eBay shopping for both new and used options and having time on your side. Of course if do rechrome at least you can say you have the original wheels (some folks like that).
Looks good with the solo seat too...

kartgreen · Post by **kartgreen** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 8:37 am

Checkout Central Wheel Corp. in Birmingham England if your interested in quality replacement rims and spokes . I've made several purchases from them and have been well satisfied with the quality .
Buchanan's doesn't carry a 16" 36 hole replacement rim , although I did have them make a set of S.S. spokes for my Benly . . Actually didn't find any suppliers in the US that carried a 16"=36 hole rim .It's possible another brand of motorcycle may use the rim size you need but I haven't reserched that to any extent .

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:10 am

I think Spokes has recently used a Yamaha rim on a project.... might try a search.

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:17 am

I had a bad experience buying NOS DID rims from Thailand. They looked great in the pics but in reality the chrome was pitted as if exposed to a damp or humid environment for an extended period of time.

tim · Post by **tim** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:44 pm

Thanks for the input. As I expected rechroming the rims will be very expensive, as they have to strip, polish, and then re-plate.

I'll keep poking around and see what's out there for 16" chrome 36 hole rims drilled for drum brakes. Should be some older small cc bikes out there with the right size rims.

I have Buchanan spokes on my other 5 bikes, but haven't plunked down for their rims. They do happen to have a 5.5 inch wide 16" rim on sale

Could mod the bike to squeeze a couple of those in.

Too bad about the pitting on the Thai rims. Might roll the dice at the end of the day.

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:13 pm

I bought the Union Cycle rims from Thailand - no issues. After roughly 500 miles on the CA95 since restoration, the rims still look good. I've had the bike over 60 MPH a few times and the wheels are working well.

Foamy · Post by **Foamy** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 4:24 pm

Ahhhhh, the good old days of being able to build a motorcycle in the house

This was cause for constant amusement by friends when I did it twice only a few years back but alas those days are gone with kids etc. Here is my C102 being assembled in the lounge, tank sticker on backwards after a few to many beers

The Union Cycle rims from Thailand admittedly are solid and the chrome also seems really good. One drawback is the deep stamped company name on the edge of the rim if you are wanting things to look original but this is only cosmetic otherwise.

Steve

tim · Post by **tim** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:31 pm

Been married for 19 years and have an 11 year old daughter

The secret is to build a cute bike and make it really really clean. The entire engine was broken down and bead blasted. Fresh powder on the cylinders, all new white paint (was red) etc.

This was to be my wife's first bike. Instead I bought her a 2011 TU250X that I don't have to fix at all. She wanted something reliable.

Also have a voodoo vintage mk4 rigid frame and xs650 engine based bike in the house and 3 more in the garage (XS650 cafe, 1975 BMW R75/6 and 1978 Sr500 tracker thing).

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:02 am

My experience mentioned above was with motorclassicshops.

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:53 am

Yes, I put Yamaha rims on my recent build, but I had to ream out the spoke holes. So I can't recommend what I do unless you have the tools for reeming and do your own lacing & truing.

In the past I have found original new rims on ebay. The Union Brand rims from overseas works well. I have to say the Yamaha rims have nicer chrome, but they are 1.60 wide rather than 1.85.

tim · Post by **tim** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:31 pm

Steverinomeiste wrote:My experience mentioned above was with motorclassicshops.

Good to know. I'll grab a pair of the union rims now so they might arrive before September