Great excitement here, for two reasons: 1) This evening I'm having takeaway fish and chips from the local pub (and I have a tin of mushy peas to go with them, so excitement is at fever-pitch!), and 2) I've taken my front wheel off my 1965 B40F because I'm getting a new tyre put on next week, the reason being that, although there's lots of tread left on it, it's old. In case you're wondering, that's the exciting bit. The reason for this post is: I wonder what you think about the condition of my rims and spokes. I don't see many other classic bikes, and I'm still pretty new to this hobby, so it's hard for me to compare. Most of the ones I see are either immaculate examples at Shepton Mallet show in February, or are in magazines, where they are usually either wrecks awaiting restoration, or post-restoration gleaming beauties. My bike is somewhere between those two extremes. And I'm pretty okay with that - I don't have the knowledge, expertise or facilities to create a top-notch machine. Anyway, back to to the point (what was it? oh, yes...): what do you think to my wheels and rims? I've attached a photo of the front one and one of the rear. To make this more interesting, let's make it a multiple choice. Please answer A, B, C, D, E, or F, based on the following assessments:
A: Wow! They're great! Wish mine were like that!
B: They're fine. Plenty of years left in them yet.
C: So-so. Should be okay for a few years, especially if dry-road use only.
D: Hmm... getting a bit worse for wear. Ought to think about getting them renovated or replaced soon. Dust your wallet off, Phil.
E: Stop riding immediately! They're unsafe and a disgrace!
F: Other (please specify.)
Many thanks. All comments appreciated. Phil.
When I said what do you think of my wheels and rims, I did of course mean spokes and rims. Phil
Hi Phil,
F
If they were mine I would take the tyre off and check the inside of the rim before making a decision.
Best wishes...
As said remove the tyre to check inside the rims. As for the rims if money is tight run with them. You could always paint them silver other wise I would use them.
Hi Phil,
Agree with Bess so F. There could be corrosion on the inside but if it is only the chrome any rough areas could be smoothed down. The spokes just look like they need a good clean as there does not appear to be any corrosion or thinning due to rust.
From what can be seen of the rims, there is the option to re-chrome if they are good quality like Jones or Dunlop.
If the tyre fitter is worth his salt he will advise if the rim or spokes are dangerous and will fit a new rim tape after checking the spoke ends for snags.
Dave.
So no votes for A yet.
As far as can be judged from a photo they look fine to use. Changing them would be simply an aesthetic decision.
However.:-
1. Check the inside of the rim when the tyre and rim tape are removed. You are looking for protuding spokes and sharp edges (rust or lifting chrome) that can cause a blowout. My wife can tell you what fun it is for the pillion when you are doing 60 down hill when the rear tyre suddenly deflates! It was 'interesting' for me as well :-[
2. check for loose spokes
Firstly, I hope you enjoyed your fish and chips.
F.
They're better than mine but I made them even better still with elbow grease and Autosol. From a few feet away the front one looks great. Oddly enough, the back one is worst and it's normally the other way round as it's covered in throw off from the chain.
When I bought my bike, last January, the wheels were painted silver. They looked ok but I was keen to know what was underneath. Removed it with thinners and pleased with the original look even if not anywhere near perfect; just honest really.
I've also thought about rechroming but from what I've gathered you can get a stainless rim for the price and the rechromed ones will still probably rust quite quickly.
They are just showing patina of age.
As long as they are structurally sound then it is purely a cosmetic decision to replace/ rechrome/ paint etc.
Rechroming is expensive and is labour intensive in having to polish up the old rims and polish out any pits.
New rims and spokes vary a lot in price according to specification - stainless, alloy, British or foreign chrome rims, galvanised or stainless spokes.
It all depends on how much you are prepared to spend on them.
Like all bike restorations, it takes twice as long as originally expected and costs twice as much ( at least) than originally budgeted !
I had a pair of mirror finish stainless rims and spokes done in October last year cost was £500, would be cheaper with standard stainless or chrome.
Being of the older generation myself, I can appreciate your joy over the imminent arrival of chip shop fish and chips. My son is shopping for me and turned up with shopping and a pea mix. Nearly hugged him I was so excited!
So rims, probably ok but you will only know when you look at the inside. Spin the wheel and hold a screwdriver against the spokes. They should all sound the same ring. A dull sound means a loose spoke. A good tyre fitters opinion is worth listening to .
I had a 19 inch triple chrome rim laced to my hub with unpolished stainless spokes and it was £210.
It takes a while as the rim needs to be drilled to suit the spoke angle and then go for chroming.
Looked nice and sparkly in the sun!
:) :) :) :)
£500 for a pair of stainless with same spokes is very good price. I had a pair done last year new chrome rims and galvanised spokes. Hubs blasted and powder coated. £280 each. I don't particularly like stainless spokes, because the only spokes that I ever had break were stainless. Bad batch? Probably--but once is once too many.
Take care
Mike 8) 8) 8) 8)
Got the new tyre today. Dunlop K82. Re the rims, the bloke said they would outlast me. Especially if I kept asking so many questions! Phil
Definately a "B". " The Editors decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. . ." as it used to say on all those prize money quizes an comps.