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Spoke wheels on XJ650

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by beardking, Oct 19, 2006.

  1. beardking

    beardking Member

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    Is it possible to put spoke wheels on an XJ? I have my days where I just don't like the look of the stock mags and think that spoke wheels would just look a lot better on it. Especially if I ever get to the point of taking things apart and making it look more like I want it.
     
  2. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    Hit the archives and look up photos of ION's ride. He has spoked wheels on his "chopper". Might want to write him and ask your question to him.
     
  3. Joel07

    Joel07 Member

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    One option I've looked at very seriously is the Virago 535 wheels. 19" front will probably bolt right on (don't know for sure though, axle size could be different). The rear LOOKS very similar to ours, since it's also a shaft drive from about the same era, and also has the same style drum brake. I'm thinking it'd be a bolt-on swap, but again, I have absolutely no proof to back this up, I'm just taking a wild guess. If I ever find a set of 535 wheels, I'll scoop em up, but unfortunately, they're kinda hard to come by.

    I have an RD350 spoked 18" front wheel on the way, hoping it'll be a bolt-up replacement, but I'll let you guys know when I find out.
     
  4. Cafe_Guy94

    Cafe_Guy94 Member

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    I know its been a while. But did that spoked rim work?
     
  5. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    there is a newer thread on which virago spoked wheels fit only 2 years if i recall
     
  6. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  7. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    Yes but aren't those wheels rarer than hens teeth? I have an eBay search and do a google search occasionally and in three years have never seen the wire spoked hubs or complete wheels, front or rear.
     
  8. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    The best way to acquire the spoked Virago wheels is to buy the entire bike, replace the wheels with dime-a-dozen mags and resell the bike. Most potential buyers will not know it had spoke wheels anyway.
     
  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    hens teeth are easier to find as simmy stated find a parts bike which do not come up to often. you could swap the rims from virago to xj and xj to virago
     
  10. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    One just listed on Kijiji Ottawa yesterday. It's an 87 with wire wheels for $850. With 20k kilometers, the bike ain't that bad... Windscreen might fit an xj too.
     
  11. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    here we go again ...........
     
  12. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    Of course no sooner do I post how hard these are to find when on my local Craigslist...
     
  13. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    Well, Ottawa is a few miles from Florida... and the snow birds won't head south for a few months. Guess you will have to keep waiting!
     
  14. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    Let's see if it's still available.
     

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