Can I have a look at your rims please gents?

[Bewarethemoon]

Hi guys,

I’m looking into ordering a set of aftermarket rims and if possible I would like to try and emulate the look that the spoked bike has out of the factory.

Can anybody post photos of their origins rims, were there changes in the rims used over the years?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Daniel.

 

[5twins]

Yes, several different rim styles and types were used over the years. The early bikes up to '73 had normal looking chrome steel rims. '74-'79 Standard models got the flanged alloy type rims. These are pretty highly sought after now and eBay prices seem to reflect that. Folks often ask $100 or more for them. So, are you looking to match the rim type that was originally on your bike, or just going for what you like the looks of best? All I run are the flanged alloy type as I like them best. This is a '77 set I swapped onto my '83 .....

Here's two 18" rears. The one on the left is from a '77 650. The one on the right is from a '73 or '74 TX750. The 750 wheel is a nice drop-in swap and one of it's big benefits is it has a larger brake .....

 

[member28833]

74-79 XS650 Standard combo of Takasago high shoulder aluminum wheels. 1.85x19 fr and 2.15x18 rr

 

[Bewarethemoon]

Yes, several different rim styles and types were used over the years. The early bikes up to '73 had normal looking chrome steel rims. '74-'79 Standard models got the flanged alloy type rims. These are pretty highly sought after now and eBay prices seem to reflect that. Folks often ask $100 or more for them. So, are you looking to match the rim type that was originally on your bike, or just going for what you like the looks of best? All I run are the flanged alloy type as I like them best. This is a '77 set I swapped onto my '83 .....

Here's two 18" rears. The one on the left is from a '77 650. The one on the right is from a '73 or '74 TX750. The 750 wheel is a nice drop-in swap and one of it's big benefits is it has a larger brake .....

Thanks for the response 5twins!

My bike is/was a ‘79 special

I’m going for a more vintage racer look and aftermarket rims.

From what I’ve seen from your photos, shouldered rims with dimples are what the post XS-1 bike’s were running, at least until mags?

 

[Bewarethemoon]

View attachment 151146
74-79 XS650 Standard combo of Takasago high shoulder aluminum wheels. 1.85x19 fr and 2.15x18 rr

Beautiful Machine! Thanks for the reply!

We’re Excel’s factory fitted???

Daniel.

 

[member28833]

We’re Excel’s factory fitted???

Yamaha XS spoked wheels I have encountered have all been Takasago.
Both Aluminum and chromed steel.
The earlier TX wheels 5twins posted a pic of are truly “D I D” made which are like “Akront” found on European bikes.
I believe the Yamaha Takasagos were copies of both of these popular brands.
-R

 

[Bewarethemoon]

Yamaha XS spoked wheels I have encountered have all been Takasago.
Both Aluminum and chromed steel.
The earlier TX wheels 5twins posted a pic of are truly “D I D” made which are like “Akront” found on European bikes.
I believe the Yamaha Takasagos were copies of both of these popular brands.
-R

That’s all I needed to hear Machine to make up my mind once and for all, I was leaning towards using Excel Rims mainly because of their Japanese heritage (much like our beloved motorcycle) and the fact that they are are essentially modelled on the OEM rims has sold it for me!

Thank you Machine.

I’m going 18” front and back 2.15”on the front and 2.50” on the rear.

Daniel.

 

[member28833]

Awesome size choices Daniel.
If I were starting a fresh lace up I’d look for a 75 ish front spool. The reason being visible in this pic. See those thru holes that the disc mounts too ? On the later say, 77 and up those holes are tapped aluminum. On earlier front spools those holes were shallower, steel thread inserted, and not thru holes as seen. Not visible. Nicer to polish up and look even better.
-Randy

 

[5twins]

Yes, my TX750 rims are D.I.D. Early 650s may have had them too. Takasago is Excel, at least today. I never saw a 650 rim marked "Excel" though, only "Takasago".

Interesting about the blind hole front hubs having steel inserts, I never noticed that. My '77 hub is that type so I'll have to take a closer look at it.

I don't polish the inner flanges, just bead blast them nice and clean. Once spoked up, there's no way to get at those surfaces to keep them polished.

 

[gggGary]

An 18" front rim works at least with spaced out fz600r rotors but brake install remove becomes very complicated. My aviator front is 3"x18"

 

[Bewarethemoon]

An 18" front rim works at least with spaced out fz600r rotors but brake install remove becomes very complicated. My aviator front is 3"x18"

I’m using early R6 forks, that’s FZR600 to you guys across the pond right?

 

[Norton7d]

For your consideration

http://www.xs650.com/threads/new-bare-rims-various-sizes.55386/

 

[madmax-im]

Not sure what these are..I do know they're not stock...

 

[5twins]

I'm pretty sure those are '80 & '81 stock Special II rims, chrome steel 36 spoke, 19" front and 16" rear.

 

[madmax-im]

I'm pretty sure those are '80 & '81 stock Special II rims, chrome steel 36 spoke, 19" front and 16" rear.

Wow..stock rims..well blow me down.... On a bike where nothing is stock..well thats a surprise...

 

[Bewarethemoon]

Thanks for all the help folks, I’ve just put in an order with my friend who gets them through the distributer in the UK.

Both 18”, 36 hole, 2.15” for the front and 2.50 for the rear.

I’ve seen in the US you can get shouldered and dimpled Excel rims, not sure if we can get the shouldered type in the UK.

I’ve only seen them offered in black, silver or gold.

I like the idea of polished rims, so I’ll get silver, might be a little OTT to remove the anodising and polish them myself?

Daniel.

 

[Bewarethemoon]

Slightly smug update.

Rick came through big time! He managed to source these from one of his sources.

They tick all the boxes I wanted ticked.

Excel Takasaga’s dimpled, shouldered and polished to give that ‘nod-back’ to the later factory spoked wheels and in the sizes I wanted!!! Last pair the distributor had!!!

I think it’ll give my build those little cleaner classical touches I’m aiming for.

Daniel.

 

[5twins]

I hope you'll be using stainless spokes? I didn't on my first few wheels and after 4 or 5 years I could see their luster fading. I always spring the little extra now and get stainless spokes.

 

[Bewarethemoon]

I hope you'll be using stainless spokes? I didn't on my first few wheels and after 4 or 5 years I could see their luster fading. I always spring the little extra now and get stainless spokes.

I’ll be using stainless spokes for sure and a ‘brass effect’ coating on the nipples.

Daniel.