Can anyone identify these wheels?

I'm curious what these would have come on. I see a lot with 1 vertical unpainted line on the "spokes" but I don't see too many with 2 lines like these. I have no idea just how many parts on this thing don't belong on it. I know the rear turn signals, sisy bar, and front turn signals don't match. The engine numbers don't match and the frame has been replaced (still has factory sticker on it). I think it was a box of parts from different bikes

Ron

Ron:

I'm betting they are Lester mags. Look on the 'spokes' and on one of them, towards the rim, will be embossed 'Lester'. They are strictly period aftermarket but are good to have if you are not a restoration purist. I have a set on one of my KZ1000's:

EDIT: The mags with the single midline rib, if on a Kawasaki, are generally Enkei mags, which are modeled after Morris mags (which were standard on 1976 KZ900B model). After 1976, standard mags on Kawasaki's were Enkei.

Post edited by: Mcdroid, at: 2007/03/20 05:58

Awesome thanks, I'll check when I get home from work. They are extremly grimy and I havent cleaned them yet or I might have noticed a detail like that.

Lesters usually have a machined groove around the outside of the bead area (painted red on this one).
The early Lesters sometimes have the same groove, but have it in 4 sections (with a non machined gap in between the groves. Most of the Lesters are labled with "Lester" and the size.
Fish

All I could find was a date stamped in 10-08-78. Let me go check for that groove...

Ok, they do in fact have the groove. So are these sought after wheels or nothing special? Doesnt much matter since I happen to really like them, but these things are good to know

Thanks for all the info!

Ron

Sought after;)
They can go for crazy money on eBay and other places.
It all depends on the size of the wheels and the shape they are in.
Me.. I'd give you $20.00 per wheel and you pay shipping

Pat

patmann wrote:

Me.. I'd give you $20.00 per wheel and you pay shipping

Pat

What do they go for on eBay?

Well, eBay is such an 'iffy' thing that the range of possible sale prices can be significant...and condition is a serious factor. But, if a seller is patient, and the market right, then one can expect at least US$200.00 for a set. If I recall, the Z1/Z900 Lester or Morris mags (rear drum) can bring more than the 1000 mags (rear rotor) (by 1977, Enkei mags became readily available).

On the flip side, as an example of how the market changes due to availability, I picked up a 19" front Enkei mag (essentially new condition, 7 bolt rotor) for US$5.00 on eBay.

Sometimes you get lucky. I just got a chrome rear brake caliper and a real decent valve cover off ebay. Grand total $23 including shipping. On the other hand I paid $74 for a used left side cover out of frustration. I was NOT buying an aftermarket one.
Here's some auctions.
eBay auction #1
eBay auction #2

AND here's some lester mags I am watching to see what they go for

eBay auction #3
eBay auction #4

Hope it is ok to post the links.

Post edited by: steell, at: 2007/03/25 12:25

AR15Ron,

Even though those Lester mags are used (most of the ones I've seen listed have been NOS), I wouldn't base the final price they sell for as the average going rate.
All the ones I've seen have been bare, and those appear to only be missing the axles to be a complete "bolt-on and go" set.

They have really nice brake rotors too! I may bid on them myself!

Ron

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

AR15Ron,

Even though those Lester mags are used (most of the ones I've seen listed have been NOS), I wouldn't base the final price they sell for as the average going rate.
All the ones I've seen have been bare, and those appear to only be missing the axles to be a complete "bolt-on and go" set.

The prices vary wildly depending on how many people want them when they are listed.
About a month or so ago, there was a Lester 18 inch rear mag that went for $500. The funny thing is it had a crack in the brake drum and still brought crazy money.
Fish