Rear wheel - What year and model??

[Niels B]

Any experts out there on rear wheels? Got this among a bunch of other XS650 stuff.
It’s a 16” rim, I believe it may be from a ‘80-81 special, however I can find any pictures/schematics that have this spoke pattern, total of 48 spokes. I’m quiet certain it was on one of the basket case XS I bought, one of them had a lot of special parts wherever it was possible

 

[650Skull]

82, 83 Heritage Special, US model

https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...workshop-manuals-and-other-information.30569/

 

[5twins]

Yes, an '82 or '83 Heritage Special wheel. I have one on my '83 and will be re-doing it with an alloy rim and stainless spokes once the tire wears out. I don't mind the 48 spoke rear wheel but I don't care for it's matching 72 spoke front. It's too much I think, and the spokes are skinnier too. Looks like a harp to me, lol. I've already swapped it out for a regular 36 spoke wheel, redone with stainless spokes and a slightly wider 2.15" alloy rim .....

However, that brake plate is older, from a '78-'80 model. For a brake plate history, see this thread .....

https://www.xs650.com/threads/650-rear-drum-brake-plates.51046/

 

[Niels B]

Yes, an '82 or '83 Heritage Special wheel. I have one on my '83 and will be re-doing it with an alloy rim and stainless spokes once the tire wears out. I don't mind the 48 spoke rear wheel but I don't care for it's matching 72 spoke front. It's too much I think, and the spokes are skinnier too. Looks like a harp to me, lol. I've already swapped it out for a regular 36 spoke wheel, redone with stainless spokes and a slightly wider 2.15" alloy rim .....

View attachment 261827

View attachment 261828

However, that brake plate is older, from a '78-'80 model. For a brake plate history, see this thread .....

https://www.xs650.com/threads/650-rear-drum-brake-plates.51046/

I see, (yours look nice by the way). I was looking at earlier models - thought the later models had mag wheels. I’ll have to get this one exchanged for an 18” rim and hub as it has to fit on either a ‘75 or ‘78 standard

 

[5twins]

The "deluxe" Special models had mags up through '81, the cheaper Special II models had spoke wheels (normal 36 spoke). You can run that wheel on a Standard but may need to change the brake torque arm. The one on the Special was "dished" out for tire clearance .....

Or you can convert that hub to an 18" rim. They sell longer spoke sets specifically for doing that.

 

[Niels B]

The "deluxe" Special models had mags up through '81, the cheaper Special II models had spoke wheels (normal 36 spoke). You can run that wheel on a Standard but may need to change the brake torque arm. The one on the Special was "dished" out for tire clearance .....

View attachment 261829

Or yo can convert that hub to an 18" rim. They sell longer spoke sets specifically for doing that.

I got all the fittings and the arm too, gues spokes and 18” rim may be the cheapest option - thanks for the heads up

 

[5twins]

Best spoke prices I've found are from XS650Direct ......

https://xs650direct.com/products?show_all=true&category=135&page=1

They've got some good rim prices too.

 

[Niels B]

Best spoke prices I've found are from XS650Direct ......

https://xs650direct.com/products?show_all=true&category=135&page=1

They've got some good rim prices too.

Yes I like that outfit too

 

[Niels B]

Nice article on the rear hub, just looked at mine and it sure enough have the marking relating to the 78-80, which mean I probably came from the ‘78E I’m working on now. Got this one as well - must belong to the ‘75 I don’t have a title to yet ( it’s a pain in the A to get it here in FL, in spite a clear police check and a bill of sale )

 

[5twins]

Yes, that's a '74 - early '77 brake plate with the electric brake wear switch and the bracket on the plate for the wiring to run through. On the TX750 and XS500 brake plates I'm using, I just cut that casting off and smoothed the plate out .....

For the brake wear switch, I wanted to replace it with a bolt but couldn't find one that size and with the proper fine thread pitch. The best I could do was just replace the the Phillips screw with an Allen. Once installed, you can't hardly see that switch anyway, the brake lever covers it ......

 

[motormike]

Just picked up my wheel after get'n new tires.. some German brand.... barley fits.... almost touches swing arm...I'm not a fan f the brake plate..... the brake lever has a " needle point " for lining wear and blank holes left over from other model years... I didn't have a smooth brake plate at this time.. once I get it... I'll have it painted glossy black... easy to clean... no buffing...

 

[jetmechmarty]

Just picked up my wheel after get'n new tires.. some German brand.... barley fits.... almost touches swing arm...I'm not a fan f the brake plate..... the brake lever has a " needle point " for lining wear and blank holes left over from other model years... I didn't have a smooth brake plate at this time.. once I get it... I'll have it painted glossy black... easy to clean... no buffing...

I see you went with a non-stock tire. 130/90-16 is stock. What I see is 5.00 x 16. That's a taller tire and what I intend for my XS6502-F project. Please post more pics of your rear tire and wheel.

 

[5twins]

I've changed the brake rod adjuster nut to a wingnut .....

My old BMWs came with these and I always liked them. This one is a Yamaha part, from a Virago, and only costs a few dollars .....

 

[motormike]

I see you went with a non-stock tire. 130/90-16 is stock. What I see is 5.00 x 16. That's a taller tire and what I intend for my XS6502-F project. Please post more pics of your rear tire and wheel.

I'll be at my work space Tuesday ...

 

[motormike]

I see you went with a non-stock tire. 130/90-16 is stock. What I see is 5.00 x 16. That's a taller tire and what I intend for my XS6502-F project. Please post more pics of your rear tire and wheel.

" HEIDENAU " Brand.... never heard of it... I simply asked for a tire... not a " name " brand.. My BMW buddy said they are good tires...

 

[motormike]

I've changed the brake rod adjuster nut to a wingnut .....

View attachment 261939

My old BMWs came with these and I always liked them. This one is a Yamaha part, from a Virago, and only costs a few dollars .....

View attachment 261942

I've been told by a couple of Brit guys... that the wing nut style on older b]Brits.. have been known to strip out... aluminum .... so, they double nut a short distance behind the aluminum wing adjuster.... I did it to my Brit's... This being a steel unit.... that shouldn't be an issue...

 

[5twins]

Yes, it's steel. I was hoping it would be chromed, but no such luck, lol, just cad plated by the looks of it.