Central Wheel Components

Hi Folks, I was wondering if anybody has purchased a rim from Central Wheel Components in the UK. If so, are you happy with the quality, fit and finish? I'm trying to decide on SS or Chrome? The rear wheel on my 74 Norton is in need of a new rim. Thanks, Jack

I think their rear is the correct dimple pattern. Their front is not. Not sure if that is significant, but I chose Devon rims for my front replacement. But, as I said, their rear is correct, i think.

Their cheap chrome is useless, their mid priced chrome may be better but stainless will not rust, for a company used by the NMM its odd they take shortcuts to suit themselves and not the customer. I have used Devon stainless rims and had no issue but also used


who do rims, spokes etc but don't advertise.

I bought alloy shouldered rims and spokes for my Commando from them. The front rim was ok but the rear rim has a definite wiggle where it is welded together. Not so bad that I would go through the hassle of returning it, but I did expect better. I complained, but they really didn't care much.

I used flanged alloys from Devon for the Vincent and flanged alloys from Central Wheel for the Commando.
I think both sets of alloys where made in the same Spanish factory that Central Wheel now owns. This could be the factory that made Akront rims back in the day. I'm not 100% sure on that, but I do seen to recall being told that by Central.
In any case, all four wheels had a pretty good kink at the weld but that is quite normal. All of the old Dunlop chrome rims I've messed with have that too. It doesn't seem to bother anything with the operation of the motorcycle.

The only rims that I've laced which did not have a big blip at the weld, were Sun alloys made by Buchanan.
I was told that they finish turn the rims after welding, so that there is no weld blip.

The main difference between Devon and Central for me was price-
The Central Wheels flanged alloys were quite a bit less costly than the Devon flanged alloys.
That and the Central rims were supplied with a few spare spokes of each types ( four types on the Commando)
Devon did not include spares so I had to purchase a full bag ( 20?) of each type from him afterwards. I remember that the cost of just the spare spokes including shipping was about halfway to another set of rims!

Glen

Been using them for 20 plus years on various British classics with both chrome and alloy.
Never any problems …….

@Jack15T , if you have not read this thread, I suggest you do - look at posts #4 & #7
Cheers

Jack15T said:

Hi Folks, I was wondering if anybody has purchased a rim from Central Wheel Components in the UK. If so, are you happy with the quality, fit and finish? I'm trying to decide on SS or Chrome? The rear wheel on my 74 Norton is in need of a new rim. Thanks, Jack

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Jack,
With you being in the US, I would definitely recommend Buchanans for what you are looking for. They have been in business forever and have a good selection of wheel components.Plus they know Nortons for the proper offsets for the rims,etc.They built my wheels and could not be more satisfied.
Mike

I used a CWC stainless rear rim on the insistence of a customer, and against my advice.
He then complained about the poor welded join, the built-in wobble which couldn't be trued out, the distinctly yellowish tinge compared to the (much better made) Wassells stainless front, and the rattle of trapped material left inside the rolled flange.
Yes, I agreed. That's why I didn't recommend them....

robs ss said:

@Jack15T , if you have not read this thread, I suggest you do - look at posts #4 & #7

Thread '961 bobber anyone?'

Nov 7, 2018

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Norton-9...m=123464170521&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

• Fast Eddie
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Modern Norton Motorcycles

Cheers

Click to expand...

Humorous

robs ss said:

@Jack15T , if you have not read this thread, I suggest you do - look at posts #4 & #7

Thread '961 bobber anyone?'

Nov 7, 2018

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Norton-9...m=123464170521&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

• Fast Eddie
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Modern Norton Motorcycles

Cheers

Click to expand...

Humorous

Jack15T said:

Humorous

Click to expand...

Thanks Guys, that was helpful. Cheers

I've just looked on Andover Norton at the rim they have available for the commando. It looks like the rim in the picture on their website has a sticker with CWC on it. Does anyone know or can verify if Central Wheel Components is their vendor for the rim that they sell?

quawk said:

I've just looked on Andover Norton at the rim they have available for the commando. It looks like the rim in the picture on their website has a sticker with CWC on it. Does anyone know or can verify if Central Wheel Components is their vendor for the rim that they sell?

Click to expand...

AN could have multiple sources or change source so what is supplied to one customer may not be sent to another. Best to ask AN directly.

I have used both Devon and Central rims(the premium chrome ones from both).. I have only laced two of each and the devon ones had less runout than the central ones. That may be just the rims I purchased and may not be a consistent difference but the devon rims I laced had about 2/3rd the kick of the CWS ones.

My next set are takasago (excell) rims I got from Buchanan. I expect them to be the most accurate but will see. Need to paint the centers on these before lacing. I like these rims a lot but, boy, are they expensive. According to Buchannan they to lace the sun and takasago rims to greater spoke tensions than steel rims because it is harder to pull a spoke though the rim drilling. That was an unexpected bit of information.

I had 3 full sets of rear stainless spokes from CWC each time several drive side inner ones broke. There rims were not to good with miss match at welds and front spoke dimples wrong.
Now have Devon Rims which are much better made and the correct butted type spoke front and rear with 2 sizes of spoke in wheel as Norton built them. No breakages and much better product all round.

Jack15T said:

Humorous

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I didn't see anything funny about those posts. What did you see that was humorous?

“Apart from that, I thought they were great...!”

Made me chuckle

robs ss said:

I didn't see anything funny about those posts. What did you see that was humorous?

Click to expand...

The post I was referred too by another member

YING said:

Jack,
With you being in the US, I would definitely recommend Buchanans for what you are looking for. They have been in business forever and have a good selection of wheel components.Plus they know Nortons for the proper offsets for the rims,etc.They built my wheels and could not be more satisfied.
Mike

Click to expand...

Thanks Mike, Thats the way I am leaning.