Rims - Alloy vs Stainless?
- Thread starter poindexter888
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Takasago make an excellent 19" alloy valanced rim with a bright anodised natural finish that eliminates polishing. A mate with a flash Combat has had them on for 2 years and they only need the dust wiped off with a damp cloth. I've got Borannis and they look great but you can definetly do a six pack polishing them.
Mick
Mick
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Fullauto said:
I know this is a little off my own topic, but do you have any luck dealing with British Imports? I've stated it on another thread here that they don't answer the phone or respond to messages, and true to form they haven't today either; I left a message at 9.30 this morning and haven't been contacted, so this makes it 3 or possibly 4 times they haven't been arsed to get back to me over the last 3 or 4 years. Business must be good but I'm buggered if I can see why. This is only half sook, I am genuinely interested to know how to go about getting a response from them.
Firstly, I wish to state a vested interest here, just so there is no misunderstanding. Ben is the Australian distributor for my Fullauto Technologies Norton cylinder heads. Next, he doesn't work Mondays and Tuesdays. He is almost always there all day Saturdays. If the door is closed and the gate locked, bang on it anyway, he may be working quietly away. He can, indeed, be difficult to get hold of and isn't fabulous at returning calls. How do I know this? However, that having been said, he does a very good thorough, slow job. But, you will not have any problems with his work. He's not expensive and has been doing it for many years. His wheel building is superb. My own Commando is in there as we speak if you wish to check out my wheels and anything else. When it's run in you may ride it as well to check out the impressive performance gains throughout the rev range from the fabulous Fullauto Technologies cylinder head. Did I mention that already?
The wider alloy rims are noticeably lighter than the stock rims. As to width, the Avon Roadrider 100/90 19 tyres only just fit in the swingarm on the 2.5 inch rims. I had to reverse the lower shock bolts so it would fit. On the front I had to change the front guard mounting bolts to button headed cap screws or the tyre simply wouldn't fit. Fitting wider tyres on narrow rims is pure folly. It accomplishes nothing regarding fine handling. Some people appear to like "the look". A 120 section 18 inch tyre does not put more rubber on the road than my 100 section 19 inch on the 2.5 inch rim. You might have more wrapped around the sides that cannot be used, but you will not have "more rubber on the road". A recent article in Old Bike Australasia had a blue Commando with a 4.25 inch x 18 inch rim with a 120 section tyre and it fitted in the swingarm. What does that tell you? It tells you that it is no wider than my combination or it wouldn't fit.
Drop in for a look. It's an 850 Orange Roadster. You can't miss it.
The wider alloy rims are noticeably lighter than the stock rims. As to width, the Avon Roadrider 100/90 19 tyres only just fit in the swingarm on the 2.5 inch rims. I had to reverse the lower shock bolts so it would fit. On the front I had to change the front guard mounting bolts to button headed cap screws or the tyre simply wouldn't fit. Fitting wider tyres on narrow rims is pure folly. It accomplishes nothing regarding fine handling. Some people appear to like "the look". A 120 section 18 inch tyre does not put more rubber on the road than my 100 section 19 inch on the 2.5 inch rim. You might have more wrapped around the sides that cannot be used, but you will not have "more rubber on the road". A recent article in Old Bike Australasia had a blue Commando with a 4.25 inch x 18 inch rim with a 120 section tyre and it fitted in the swingarm. What does that tell you? It tells you that it is no wider than my combination or it wouldn't fit.
Drop in for a look. It's an 850 Orange Roadster. You can't miss it.
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Interesting report on rim/tire size vs fit and patch footprint fullauto.
i did not like 120 on plain Combat power, felt sluggish compared to 90 to 110 tires.
In special places I can remove chicken stripes on factory Combat but it can be more scary than fun so no more desire to push untamed Commando near tire limits.
I'll stick with factory wisdom for sane thrills operation ease and delights.
On past pretty darn powerful lighter Peel, 110 would spin out easier than 120 on full lean and wear out in 2000 miles. 120 was better for on edge power and lasted ~4000 miles.
At some point I'll have to find out if I like 2.5 rim + 130 rear better or not.
hobot
i did not like 120 on plain Combat power, felt sluggish compared to 90 to 110 tires.
In special places I can remove chicken stripes on factory Combat but it can be more scary than fun so no more desire to push untamed Commando near tire limits.
I'll stick with factory wisdom for sane thrills operation ease and delights.
On past pretty darn powerful lighter Peel, 110 would spin out easier than 120 on full lean and wear out in 2000 miles. 120 was better for on edge power and lasted ~4000 miles.
At some point I'll have to find out if I like 2.5 rim + 130 rear better or not.
hobot
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- Dec 3, 2009
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ML said:
I bought a pair of 19" Takasago Excel non valanced rims today; AU$640 the pair, they are anodised to be low maintenance, but have "Takasago Excel" in bright red on the bead edge. I can live with that. Will fit them with Avon Road Runners, new tubes etc, and turf my barely worn K81s which are cracking around the side wall.
Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.
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- Dec 3, 2009
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Yep, those are the ones Foxy old mate.
As shiny as those pipes are on the Triton is the trophy for cleaning it or riding/racing it? He's in leathers but.... Beautiful machine either way
As shiny as those pipes are on the Triton is the trophy for cleaning it or riding/racing it? He's in leathers but.... Beautiful machine either way
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