rusty spokes

I am working on my 81 kz 1000 ltd.I like the spoke wheels.Several of the spokes have rust on them.I dont know which is the best most economical way to go.I doubt i could buy spokes and relace them.Some place like buchanans would cost me a ziillion dollars.I dont see hoaw anyone could blast the rust off, get into all the spaces.Input appreciated.

I do see anything good coming out of rusty spokes.

Buchanan's would be $115 for stainless spokes.
$115 to lace the rim.
$60 for shipping back and forth.

So new is $280 to $300

You might be able to get a nice used for $150

Only thing, will it be true when you get it?

4TheKZ1000 wrote: I do see anything good coming out of rusty spokes.

Buchanan's would be $115 for stainless spokes.
$115 to lace the rim.
$60 for shipping back and forth.

So new is $280 to $300

You might be able to get a nice used for $150

That is cheaper than I htought it would be.I will try to find a used one, but that is a risky thing also.Thanks for input.

Only thing, will it be true when you get it?

I cleaned up the spokes on mine with a soda blaster. Worked very well. Thought about clear coating them once I was done, may still do that.

$115 for one wheel is about what I found too. So I installed cast alloy wheels instead. I got a pair for around $40 total on eebbaayy, then refurbished them, so a lot cheaper than trying to restore the spokers.

The 81 KZ1000-K1 Ltd came stock w cast alloy wheels, so before buying anything, you should verify what wheels you have so that you can order the correct spokes. The 81-82 1000-CSR came w 48-spoke wheels (19" Fr & 16" Rr). I think the earlier 1000s had 40-spoke wheels - some (all?) had an 18" Rr - not sure if there was a 40-spoke 16" Rr.

You can try using this rust remover.

www.harborfreight.com/1-gallon-evapo-rus...t-remover-96431.html

If its not too much rust and your spokes are still solid I would recommend a household green pad and soap. Did wonders for me with spokes and didn't cost me more than a couple bucks. -Schmeck

I have been working on a rear wheel with spokes and What I did was take them all out and lay them on a bucket lid of vaporrust and that worked great. But I had problems with the threads so ended up ordering a set. I do have a before picture of the spokes

Brian, here on this site, said i was stuck with the spoke wheels unless i changed front ends, forks, brakes, and all.I have another frame with forks, rotors and mag wheels I could swap over i suppose.I think it might be a 78,79.I thought i just swap the spoke wheels for the mag wheels.He said no.

peter1958 wrote: I have been working on a rear wheel with spokes and What I did was take them all out and lay them on a bucket lid of vaporrust and that worked great. But I had problems with the threads so ended up ordering a set. I do have a before picture of the spokes

Your rusty picture looks like my rusty picture.I would rather just switch to mags.I doubt i could ever get a wheel laced.

put some of that evaporrust in a spray bottle and lay wheel over some kind of basin too catch run off. It will work

peter1958 wrote: put some of that evaporrust in a spray bottle and lay wheel over some kind of basin too catch run off. It will work

I definitely will try that.