Painted Mag wheels vs Chrome and Spokes

I really used to like the look of the mag wheels and have entertained mounting my LTD wheels on my KZ1000A1.... HOWEVER, after careful consideration.... I have decided I LOVE the look of chrome wheels and spokes much more then mag wheels!!
Discuss ....

I like the look of both, but prefer the mags on my bike. The only motorcycle mags I find hideously ugly are the Honda Comstars. They are made of two stamped pieces riveted together, and to me they look like really cheap junk.

When I bought my bike mags were very new to motorcycles, and wire wheels were becoming old technology. Wire wheels are a little lighter than the factory mags, and that's a good thing, but I don't think the weight difference matters at all on a street bike.

On the plus side for mags, they are much easier to keep clean, and they never need adjustment. Having owned both a bike (BSA) and a car (Austin Healey 3000) with wire wheels I found it to be a pain to keep them looking really clean and rust free. So I'm happy to look at wire wheels on someone else's bike while running mags on mine. Ed

Every form of refuge has its price. I read in the natl enquirer once and it said if you smoke weed you eat every thing in the house,,,, and causes man boobs .I had some tie stick once and ate so much I couldn't fit in my brazier no more. and they are awful for using as polishing rags. I bought lesters years ago and the maintenance is minimal Plus they ride just fine.

Ill stick with wire wheels myself,unless its something that already has mags that Im just going to sell.

650ed wrote: I like the look of both, but prefer the mags on my bike. The only motorcycle mags I find hideously ugly are the Honda Comstars. They are made of two stamped pieces riveted together, and to me they look like really cheap junk.

When I bought my bike mags were very new to motorcycles, and wire wheels were becoming old technology. Wire wheels are a little lighter than the factory mags, and that's a good thing, but I don't think the weight difference matters at all on a street bike.

On the plus side for mags, they are much easier to keep clean, and they never need adjustment. Having owned both a bike (BSA) and a car (Austin Healey 3000) with wire wheels I found it to be a pain to keep them looking really clean and rust free. So I'm happy to look at wire wheels on someone else's bike while running mags on mine. Ed

Well, to be honest the only bike I've owned with mag wheels, other then my KZ LTD, is my old Yamaha Daytona 400F.... which I liked quite a bit.
But I'm really liking the look of some of the customs I've seen lately with big chrome spoke wheels. So the mag wheels will stay off.
And yes I've had a fair number of Brit bikes and my college buddy drove a AH 3000 for quite a while and ended up building a frame for it an putting a Pontiac V8 in the damn thing!!

I thought part of the appeal of mags was that they were lighter? Pretty sure the Honda ComStars are lighter than spokes, is that not the case with Lesters? Regardless, I love the mags on my KZ550, going to love them more once I get them powder coated solid black.

650ed wrote: I like the look of both, but prefer the mags on my bike. The only motorcycle mags I find hideously ugly are the Honda Comstars. They are made of two stamped pieces riveted together, and to me they look like really cheap junk.

When I bought my bike mags were very new to motorcycles, and wire wheels were becoming old technology. Wire wheels are a little lighter than the factory mags, and that's a good thing, but I don't think the weight difference matters at all on a street bike.

On the plus side for mags, they are much easier to keep clean, and they never need adjustment. Having owned both a bike (BSA) and a car (Austin Healey 3000) with wire wheels I found it to be a pain to keep them looking really clean and rust free. So I'm happy to look at wire wheels on someone else's bike while running mags on mine. Ed

Comstars may be lighter than spokes because they are made from stamped out sheet metal pieces. Kaw mags are a little bit heavier than spokes because they are cast alloy. I believe the same is true of other cast wheels such as Lesters, although true magnesium wheels are somewhat lighter. However, true magnesium wheels are not a very good choice for street bikes because they can crack easier than alloy wheels. Ed

9er rider wrote: Every form of refuge has its price. I read in the natl enquirer once and it said if you smoke weed you eat every thing in the house,,,, and causes man boobs .I had some tie stick once and ate so much I couldn't fit in my brazier no more. and they are awful for using as polishing rags. I bought lesters years ago and the maintenance is minimal Plus they ride just fine.

9er you're cracking me up!

I think you meant thai stick!

I have mag wheels on my KZ1000A2, chrome and spoke wheels on my KZ650B1, both appeal to me in different ways. My KZ1000 had had Lester Mags fitted, when I got it, but unfortunately a PO decided a 16" rear was the way to go. I converted back to the Enkei style Mags and an 18" rear. Of the two, I currently prefer the look of the Mags and they are much more functional in terms of cleaning etc. To my eyes the Mags look really good on the KZ1000A giving it a sportier look. On the other hand I also have a 73 Triumph and hate the look of the Mags they put on the late model ones of those. So it's all very subjective, go with what you like and to heck with what anyone else thinks. The real benefit to Mags IMO is if they are the type that can run tubeless tires because there are safety benefits and the possibility to put a plug in a tire, re inflate and be on your way if you get a puncture in the middle of nowhere. I'm 50% of the way running a rear Police wheel, but there aren't too many legitimate tubeless alloys out there from the period Kawasaki parts bin.

9er rider wrote: Every form of refuge has its price. I read in the natl enquirer once and it said if you smoke weed you eat every thing in the house,,,, and causes man boobs .I had some tie stick once and ate so much I couldn't fit in my brazier no more. and they are awful for using as polishing rags. I bought lesters years ago and the maintenance is minimal Plus they ride just fine.

I think 9er rider may have listened to Elvin Bishop back in the day

I was going to try my hand at re-lacing the stock wheels, but ss spoke sets were going to be $100+ per wheel or something like that, so I eebbaayyed a set of 550 wheel instead. both wheels w Fr disk. $40 shipped. plus wheel bearing kits & a can of engine paint.

PS: Does anyone know what plating the stock spokes had (zinc?) or know anything about cadmium plated spokes? Thanks.

Ha!! Nailed it!! south lake tahoe back in the 60s He used to be there all the time. We used to go and see him at lill Nels $2.50 a night and I have considered a double "D" cup for applicator, wax on wax off.