Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's jive

ok, this is kind of a concept thread... I think most of use agree these swirly rims are DATED, and I was thinking about doing bondo or fiberglass work to them...

basically fill the inside of the two spokes so you would have 5 spokes instead of 10. I think fiberglass would be the winner here, but i dont know how well it would hold up.. any ideas?

the end result i think would look like some swirly ducati or other late 90's early 00's style rims...

 

What about cutting out two aluminum pieces one on each side of the rim that could bolt together I think it would be safer than the fiberglass and you could get them machined out fairly cheap.

 

They would look better Schooter, they would look more ballanced. I would be afraid thet fiberglass will come flying out at speed. I have always wondered if you could TIG weld another piece in to take up the vacant space.

 

That was my thoughts as well on the fiberglass. Tig welded aluminum sheeting should do the trick.

 

With further thought, If you weld it, be sure to do small welds at a time to allow sufficent cooling or you'll have some seriously warped rims.

 

How about we call it a bad idea unless you want to ride in a parade in which case use cardboard.

Think about: aerodynamics (creating a 5-bladed propeller...)

Then think about: gyroscopic tendencies. Coupled with aerodynamics...

Then ask yourself: Why are the only "solid disc" rims used on bikes lately, like some of the Yamaha and Harley big twins, only found on the REAR?

C'mon dude you didn't drop out of engineering school that long ago.

Gotta think of some different new and ingenious way to hurt yourself (since the suicide shifter on the Seca 750 didn't really pan out...)

Oh, and don't start hacking on the Suzuki or I'll drive up there and slap you.

 

My thought was that he was talking about filling in the small gaps and not the large ones.

 

Even filling in the "small" gaps in the original "swirly wheels" like he has would create one heck of a propeller plus anything that makes the wheels heavier is not a good idea nor is welding to them at all.

 

I don't know, compared to some of the custom rims that are out on the market these days, I wouldn't think the small gaps would make that much difference. As far as the welding goes, maybe not a good idea. If there's a lip on the (spokes) maybe you could drill holes and use aircraft grade rivets.

 

Would you guys let an ideal get started before you shoot it down and start putting people down. I mean come on you guys are to much this is the Mod forum isn't it. Shooter I would take this ideal over to the chopperunderground I know your over there maybe you can get some constructive Ideals from some guys instead of this. Yes we are all stupid and trying to kill are selfs any way we can.

 

What if you cover the small areas and drill holes thru small to large from hub to rim in a curved pattern?

 

I suggest you crate that GT550 up and ship it to me, so that I can "Look after" it while this nasty phase passes.

Of course I might have to start it up and ride it once in a while....just to keep everything working for you......

 

how about picking up a set of wheels from any one of the many shaft driven bikes out there, and swapping them out? I'm pretty sure the same company makes the rear gearbox for almost every bike manufacturer, so i would bet it'd be a very simple conversion.
I'd be suprised if a honda one wouldnt just bolt up. As for the front, if it doesnt just bolt up, then spacers can be made. I once put a harley front wheel on a vulcan and it came out fine. You can always swap the forks and trees and make it a little easier too.

but as for your question, i definitely wouldnt use fiberglass or bondo, it'll definitely fly out at speed.

 

Schoot, seems that's taking the long way around. If ya want the rims to look different, get DIFFERENT rims. Seems getting spacers machined and getting the proper wheel bearings would be easier, safer and possibly cheaper, too. Lots of street bikes have wheels that look similar to what the XJ wheels would look like filled in. That's the direction I'd take if it were me.

 

I want to say thanks to all the experienced guys on this site that engage our ideas and cause us to think things thru or abandon our poorly conceived ideas. If you disrespect the wisdom of the experienced, you are doomed to learn the hard and dangerous way. Shooter, I hope you find something you'll like that is safe. And remember guys, the 4 most dangerous words in the world (Hey Bubba, watch this).

 

btw, wouldnt a virago wheelset be a damn close replacement? They made some ok looking wheels, including a spoked set.

just won a nice 21" spoked wheel and tire from a shovelhead for $52 on ebay. I had put one of these on my old vulcan, so it shoulnt be too hard to put on this.

Looking for a spoked one for the rear, but mostly 15" for shafties on there now. I'd like to stick with a 16".

 

I like this idea, Schoot', ask Polock to fab it up in photochop.

 

There's a shop that makes completely transparent rim centers -
Now that's different, to see absolutely nothing.

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2006/12/06/the-d ... ough-rims/

http://horsepowersports.com/clear-wheel ... -forgiato/

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

still 80's just different

 

can you put the three diminishing holes in them, T ?

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

Nice solid swirlies

Stock seca? Year?

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

would you settle for 2

 

'83 yea stock except for the bars, headlight, speedo, mc, pipes, rear fender, gators, mirrors, turn signals and paint

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

Hey Schooter,

If you really could describe or show us, what would be your best or first pick for rims that you would like to see on your bike??

I would like to see if anyone has adapted some spoked wheels on a XJ myself.

MN

 

filling the big ones would be cool with tuning fork cut outs

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

I like that look, with holes !
A guy could do that with some aluminum sheet and epoxy.

 

Nice work, Polock, Schooter should be happy wid that ;o)

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

it's going to happen, just watch my build thread. however, i dont know if mine qualifies for an xj anymore, not much left to it. But i will let you guys know if i find a direct fit, and i'm banking on the virago spoked wheels being one, at least for the rear, and that's half the battle. only problem is it's 15"

 

That looks pretty good... Nice chop Polock

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

Thanks Polock, that does look nice. I think they look better that way and definitely better than the Turbo or Fazer rims. IMHO :lol:

 

bigfitz please explain that propeller thing? you talk about aerodynamics but of what i read you dont have too big of a clue? are you just trying to mess around or what?

 

Additional unsprung weight would be subject to unwanted gyroscopic precession when you turn the front wheel. Remember the 'Whizzer'?

 

That plus what would anything less than perfectly symmetrical mods to each and every spoke do to balance? Kind of hard to DIY.

Swapping wheels is a much better (and safer) idea.

I would love to figure out which Yamaha wire wheels would be an easy conversion onto a 550 Seca; and do black powder-coated rims and hubs with SS spokes and a fine red stripe on the rims.

 

I think it would be pretty easy to to keep the weight close enough to be able to rebalance the tire when done. As far as the propeller theory propellers have pitch and area's designed for high and low pressure I don't think you'r front wheel is going to fly away but its much easier to say something is unsafe and can't be done than to try to solve a problem.

 

well might as well chime in...

that gyroscope idea is right fitz, if you slather on more fiber glass or the aluminum on one side weighs more it will want to pull, but idk if the propeller thing would apply so much as gyroscopic forces.

I cant believe you guys havent mentioned the 2 instances where spoke rims were on an xj one is a picture TimetoRide has, where a cafe racer has spoke rims, I dunno the thread for that one, I cant remember the guys name to put spoke rims on, but he used virago rims and from what i remember the front bolted on, but the rear, you needed the rim, brake shoe stuff, and cover, and stuff like that...

though i dont think honda shaft drive wheels would work, because their shaft is on the left side.

 

Time, you cannot put these rims on a bike, these are "DONK" rims, so unless your bike has sub woofers and has hydraulics, stay away

 

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... racer.html

It's Xotero1 and his "youtube" is still up

Mr Fitz, wouldn't some of the SR 500 or XS 500 parts swap into the 550 frame?? They both were disc rear brake in 1978, and they both had spokes earlier. It may take spacers or minor work.

 

The SR500 had cast wheels. The XT/TT on the other hand...

So I did some research after posting that, by using the EBC website (to see just exactly what other bikes use the same brake rotor) plus tried to find some compatible-year Yammie bits from the fiche and found:

I think the rear end assembly from a late-70s XT/TT500 may be the hot ticket; they ran a 4.00X18 rear tire, same as I'm running on the '83. Plus the sprockets came in a few sizes, including a match for the Seca.

On the front, I do believe the Virago 535 or 750 may provide my solution, the 535 uses the same aftermarket front rotor; the 750 uses the exact same Yamaha pn front axle.

eBay here I come. Actually I might make a trip to EMC Cycle with a tape measure and my calipers first.

 

Fitz, I've got some XS 650 spoked wheels that I plan to put on my Maxim 550. I've taken some preliminary measurements. Seems the XS axle is bigger than the XJ's, so I would need smaller ID bearings. The XS sprocket is a lot smaller than the Maxim's, but they both appear to have the same bolt pattern, so that should be a direct swap. Aside from getting proper spacers made, I don't really see too much more involved. I don't plan to run a front brake, but seems proper spacing would take care of the rotor fitting in the XJ brake caliper.

 

i just won a spoked rear wheel from a virago 535, and i'll probably get it in a week or so. I'll let you guys know how it fits on my xj650 when it comes.

 

16ozbud, not trying to be a wet blanket, but I don't think your swap will work without some modifications. The XS650 sprocket bolt pattern is bigger, and the center hole seems to be smaller than that of the XJ550. Also, the XS wheels have no cush drive, which means more wear and tear on your clutch and transmission.

 

BAD IDEA.

Stopping distance will triple (if you're lucky.)

Even the (professional) chopper guys have figured this one out.

If you plan to actually ride the bike you need a front brake. Period.

And I agree; the XS650 is the wrong choice for a rear-end swap to the 550 Max. Biggest issue will be getting even CLOSE on the gearing; you currently have a 16T front and 45T rear sprocket; the XS is about 33T on the rear, IIRC.

Plus the lack of cush drive can be an issue.

 

The front brake system is at least 70% of your stopping power. Please keep your front brake.

MN

 

There's a company that makes a front hub for a spoke rim, and inside the hub is a brake (not shoes) I guess like a clutch pack?
It's very compact, so it gives the look of no front brake, but with the stopping power of a single disc. (I saw the display at Daytona).

 

the brakes are the same yamaha part number as my 81 xj650, it really should be a direct fit.

 

Not to hi-jack this thread, but:

Bottom line is when the blue-haired old lady in the 1973 LTD doesn't see you, she doesn't see you, front brake or no front brake.

 

natural selection. i'm a strong supporter.

 

Right. So she pulls out, and you'd have plenty of time to stop-- IF you had a front brake.

Sorry, I ride in city traffic. Front brake mandatory.

 

Re: Follow me on this one- I want to get rid of some 80's ji

16ozBud- check the od of the XS and XJ bearings to see if they are the same, then you could use the XJ bearings with the XJ axle if your lucky.

 

http://www.bitterendchoppers.com/Wheels.html

It's $325 for the basic kit - - how close is a 5/8 axle to working in an XJ??