1973 Z1-900 Radial Tire Upgrade Update

"Are they application specific?" The short answer is yes.

I purchased my Excel aluminum rims and SS spokes and SS nipples from Buchanan Spoke & Wheel in California. Buchanan's is a great source of information on what's what with various wheel and hub combinations.

For this time project, I needed to know what width Excel rims I needed for an Avon 110 mm X 17" radial tire and for an Avon 160 mm X 17" radial tire, information that Avon's tire brochures provided. Buchanan had these two rims and it drilled them, and also provided me with the correct length SS spokes and SS nipples, to fit my '78 KZ1000 front wheel hub and my '78 KZ1000 rear wheel hub. Yes, each rim/spoke/nipple combo is dependent on a specific bike's hub design, rim diameter (16", 17", 18", 19", etc.) and rim width (1.85", 2.15", 2.50", 3.00", 3.50", etc.).

I'm sure there are other shops that can provide the support you might need besides Buchanan Spoke & Wheel, like for example The Wheel Works, which is located in California too.

BohicaBob: Thats what I was thinking - they are "universal" and that you need to figure out which size/part to buy. When you said the shop drilled your rims, you mean they dont come with holes in them already ? Sounds like I cant just order the parts I need out of a catalog or online.. which is what I was hoping to do

dan76kz900: Yes, I believe most of these rims are purchased by places like Buchanan Spoke & Wheel undrilled. Then, the rims are drilled for specific applications like mine, for example.

You should be able to order online from places like Buchanan or Wheel Works after you know what you want. Both enterprises can advise you regarding the many wheel options available for the Z1 and KZ. Then, you can buy the rims, spokes, and nipples and lace and true the wheels yourself. Or, you can have them lace and true the wheels for you.

Looking mighty nice.

Where did you find those spiffy tire spoons?

Duck: Tire spoons? Do you mean, tire irons? If so, I forget where I got them. But a number of places sell them, like maybe Dennis Kirk and/or MAW. These are the best tire irons I've found, for they make mounting and/or removing tires a breeze. Get three plastic rim protectors, one for each tire iron, and no rim scratches or nicks result.

How are things in Honolulu? By the way, I purchased this '73 Z1-900 from a sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor in December 1974.

Aloha Nui

Great work Bob. Looks really nice!

Bob-

Thanks. Will have a look. So far all I have seen are flat bar with small dog leg on one end. Any trick for breaking bead on tubeless? Fought with one for a good hour on Sat. Had to use big vise and some blocks of wood.

Honolulu? Lots of rain this spring. More than last spring which was way more than the past 6 years. Too crowded. Too many govt. 'security' related workers with huge salary and COLA have driven housing prices way up. Seems like half of them are driving SUV's too. Almost talked spouse into an out of business KFC over by BHU but she didn't want to spend 2 hour/day on the bus commuting to UH. Was thinking bikes, blues, and bbq. She's making noise about retiring in 3-6 years if I don't start making some $ so she can buy a house in Honolulu. We'd like to live in Fiji for 5-10 years so that may be the next stop.

how about sum price's?

Duck: To break a stubborn bead, I sometimes use WD40, one or two big 'C' clamps along with a couple pieces of 2 X 4 wood used between the 'C' clamp (s) and the tire, near the rim. This has always worked for me.

I left Maui in 1976 and never regretted it, was born and raised there, and I still have lots of family on the island. If I recall, the median sale price for a home on Maui was around $700,000 lately. Bet this figure was higher on Oahu.

Maui Median Home Prices

Post edited by: BohicaBob, at: 2006/05/29 10:33

Can I get some info on your wheels? Such as, where did you get them, what are the measurements, and what did they set you back?

Checkout my "'73 Z1-900 Stage II' link in my signature for details on the wheels.

Cost for the Excel rims can be found at Buchanan's Spoke
and Wheel: Excel Rim Chart and Prices

For an idea on how much the SS spokes and SS nipples might cost at BSW:
SS Spokes and SS Nipples

Post edited by: BohicaBob, at: 2006/05/29 17:53

What is the rear brake assembly off of??