Lacing new rear rim?

78 kz650 is it possible to lace a 17x3.5 to a stock drum hub. Like a warp 9 40 spoke with custom spokes. Also will it fit with a stock swingarm? If it does any tires size recommendations? Did a bit a digging/research wasn't able to dig anything up. Sorry if this is a double post my first doesn't appear to have worked.

as far as i'm aware Warp 9 does not make 40 hole rims. Buchanan's or others can custom drill a rim for you. this is preferred anyway since the spoke hole in the rim needs to correlate to the angle of the spoke. Its possible to lace up any wheel size. whether or not it will fit with the swing-arm depends in the tire size you go with.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHere’s a 17” x 3.5” rim that 40 holes.

Holy crap man! $300 bones for a rim? :sick:

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configuration

Mikaw wrote: Here’s a 17” x 3.5” rim that 40 holes.

This picture is not a 3.5" rim. This is a 5.5" wide. Look at this guys other items. It's the same pic of a 16 x 5.5.

Why not keep it simple and stick with an 18" x 3.5"

I would be fine with 18x3.5 I will probably be going with "sun" wheels. So from what I am gathering is any 40 spoke rim would work? Or does it have to be drilled in a certain fashion to be laced to the hub? Any idea on a spoke length? Tire size for a 18x3.5 on a stock swing arm? This is a cafe build getting an R1 front end assembly with a spoked rim. I have yet to purchase the rim and stem adapter so if someone has a good combination front rear that would be beneficial.

I’d say your best bet is to call Buchanan. There are different spoke patterns. Which would require differs spoke length. I don’t think the hub matters as long as it’s for the same number spokes, its the spoke pattern the rim is set up for. The hole direction needs to be correct on the rim to match the spoke pattern. Then that pattern will dictate the spoke length. Way beyond what I know. Do yourself a favor and call the experts before you buy. [hr]EDIT, sorry I just noticed you had a drum rear, this option won’t work. There is also the option of finding a rear R1 wheel and swapping out the bearings or axle with custome spacers so the R1 wheel would fit your swing arm

Drewgraham89 wrote: I would be fine with 18x3.5 I will probably be going with "sun" wheels. So from what I am gathering is any 40 spoke rim would work? Or does it have to be drilled in a certain fashion to be laced to the hub? Any idea on a spoke length? Tire size for a 18x3.5 on a stock swing arm? This is a cafe build getting an R1 front end assembly with a spoked rim. I have yet to purchase the rim and stem adapter so if someone has a good combination front rear that would be beneficial.

Ideally rims are drilled for the application. its possible to find rims that are drilled close enough that they can work but its not preferred. Additionally rims that are over something like 2.5"W are "deep draw" and require shorter spokes. Sun Rims are Buchanan's in house brand. Might as well call them and get it drilled correctly. A 140/70/18 is a popular choice for resto mods and will fit a 3.5"Rim. Any wider and you will end up with too much tire (for a 18" rim). Not sure if that will clear the stock 650 swingarm, however it clears a KZ1000 which has the same stock tire sizes as a 650.

There are many geometry changes occurring when you swap for that R1 front end. you need to check rake and trail numbers at the bare minimum. You can then use the front tire height to adjust to where you need to be. Many modern fork swaps are too short and the triple trees have too little fork offset to be effective without modifications. I am not familiar with R1 geometry so do your research - there is a lot more at play here than simply swapping forks.

I will say the weakest link link these bikes is the shocks and then the swing arm. without improving those as well any potential gains to suspension performance will be minimal. Its like skipping leg day at the gym, lol. Personally I would rather have a custom pair of shocks and emulators/springs in the stock forks than a USD front end and stock rear end. however if you are after the look than that is something else.

Drewgraham89 wrote: I would be fine with 18x3.5 I will probably be going with "sun" wheels. So from what I am gathering is any 40 spoke rim would work? Or does it have to be drilled in a certain fashion to be laced to the hub? Any idea on a spoke length? Tire size for a 18x3.5 on a stock swing arm? This is a cafe build getting an R1 front end assembly with a spoked rim. I have yet to purchase the rim and stem adapter so if someone has a good combination front rear that would be beneficial.

If the hub came from an 18" rim just buy stock spokes. For the rim dont use the Harley type drop center. I used the repro Borrani rims from Italy, search ebay for them. Running a 18x3 and a 140 tire. You'll see when you're lacing the 4 spoke pattern.