Advice on replacement rims

mark99 · Jul 5, 2012

OK, so a wm3 19 front and a wm4 18 rear won't cause any clearance problems?

JimC · Jul 5, 2012

The rims are not critical point for clearance. Its the tire width. Unless, of course, the rim is wider than the tire. If you are trying to get tire clearance by using a narrower rim you are way oversize with the tire.

ashman · Jul 5, 2012

Alloy are lighter than steel and you will be surprised how much diffrent it does make in the handling I know when I frist put my Akroins on 32 years ago I couldn't belive how much better they were.

Ashley

PS would never go back to steel rims.

madass140 · Jul 6, 2012

I supply exactly the same size rims as the Norton rims, I only do this size coz thats what is most popular.
WM2 x 19 alloy flanged rim specifically drilled and dimpled for Disc front
WM2 x 19 alloy flanged rim specifically drilled for Norton front or rear full width drum brake hubs.
My spokes are the same as Buchanans 8g stainless spokes without the "B" stamped on the head.
the nipples are identical to Buchanans stainless 7.1mm nipples.
I do have 18" WM2 x 18 and WM3 x 18 alloy flanged rims for Norton full width drum brake hubs but they are mainly bought for Featherbed projects, Tritons etc. Stainless 8/10G spokes (same as OEM but stainless) for these rims.

cNw · Jul 6, 2012

mark99 said:
OK, so a wm3 19 front and a wm4 18 rear won't cause any clearance problems?

Mark,

The rims, as JimC said, will not give you any problems in the sizes mentioned. What you do have to consider is that depending on what tire you choose, you will experience different widths, even in the same sizes. In other words, and Avon 110/90-18 is wider than a Bridgestone in the same size. Even different tire models within the same tire manufacturer may differ in the same sizes.

Using a 120/90-18"in the rear will definitely be tight with certain tire models. One that does work is the Bridegestone BT 45 since the side wall on that tire is shaved down a bit. So it may not allow you the Kenny Cummings kind of lean angles, but few are able to ride their bikes like that.

If you go with an Avon or Continental tire, 110/90-18" is as wide as I would recommend in the rear.

A 100/90-19 is great in the front. Not as sluggish as a stock Dunlop but still stable. A 90/90-19", even though quick, may feel a bit loose.

You will get some recommendations but a lot of things play into it such as your weight, how your bike is set up, how you ride and ultimately what you wanting to get out of your machine.

A consideration when buying tires. Many of the on-line 'outlet' tire shops offer older tires. Tires that are sold in bulk from large distributors and manufacturers that have been on the shelf for a long time. So when walking into your local shop you may see a tire listed as 135.00 when you can get it on-line for 99.00. This may seem like a bargain but if the on-line tire has been sitting for 24 months, then its already that much older (assuming the tire in the shop is newer of course). You will get a lot of use out of your new tires so don't cut corners in that area. All tires have date codes when they were manufactured. Go to a shop that turns over a lot of tires and learn where the date code is and how to read it on the tire you are interested in.

Good Luck,

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

JimC · Jul 6, 2012

Another 120/90-18 that will clear is the Dunlop GT 501. That's what I have on my 72 Combat. IIRC, I have somewhere around 1/4" clearance on each side. Obviously, rim offset becomes more critical when running a 120 rear. The chain, not the swing arm becomes the limiting component.

rvich · Jul 6, 2012

JimC said:
ashman said:

Go with alloy rims as it will make the bike handle better and I think they look better as well.

Ashley

Click to expand...

No doubt. A far better choice than other material.

How much of that is placebo effect? When I was shopping around for rims, I found that the alloy rims didn't really shave much weight. I realize it is unsprung and rotational. So the question is sincere. I did my research on weight with Buchanons.

I ended up buying original Dunlops in good condition from another member here and bought my spokes from Walridge. I discovered that the spokes from Walridge have cut threads, whereas Buchanons have rolled threads. The argument about which is strongest not withstanding, I discovered that the cut thread can bottom out in the nipple causing some difficulty whereas the rolled thread would continue through the nipple. On the Buchanon style spoke you then measure the amount protuding to ensure you have enough thread inside the nipple. I don't know which style CWC offers, but if you are lacing your own rims, it might be worth asking about.

Russ

rvich · Jul 6, 2012

Ragarding date codes, this is the reply I got from Avon on the topic:

"It will have DOT on the sidewall then numbers and letters the last 4 is the date code example 2809 was made the 28th week of 2009."

Keith1069 · Jul 7, 2012

There's a few of us using a 110 x 18 on the rear and in an AM26 its 110mm wide as specified, but 113mm on my WM3 rim. The BT45 is specified at 110mm but comes out at 108mm on WM3. I also need a new rear and noticed the 4-00 x18 from both Bridgestone and Avon. They have a slightly larger diameter than the 110's but both are specified at 116/117mm width

and in the Avon it has 7.5mm tread compared with 5.6mm. I contacted Avon but they just quoted what I already knew. Mine will take the added width and the extra tread depth is attractive for wear so has anyone any experience of these 'Imperial' measured tyres? I'm assuming the BT45 also has a deeper tread but they don't list that in their specs. Both have a higher load factor also, 64 v 61 for the 110's.

mark99 · Jul 11, 2012

Keith, if I read that right you have an 18 wm3 (not wm4) on the rear?
And on the front?
Also, I have been told I might have a problem finding an 18 for the rear for mine in that it is a disk brake rear MK3

Keith1069 · Jul 12, 2012

Keith, if I read that right you have an 18 wm3 (not wm4) on the rear?
And on the front?

That's it, same front and back but 90 x 19 front which being AM26 comes out as a 100 on width. See pics on Marchant and Durward thread for what they look like.

Anglophile · Jul 12, 2012

I've got the original WM2 rims front and rear with Avon AM26, 100/90-19. They've been doing well after 2,000 miles of recent road use. The rims don't feel "thin" even at 75mph.

pete.v · Jul 12, 2012

Anglophile said:
I've got the original WM2 rims front and rear with Avon AM26, 100/90-19. They've been doing well after 2,000 miles of recent road use. The rims don't feel "thin" even at 75mph.

Yes, I had that tire on my stock WM2's also. Never an issue and much improved over the stock Dunlops. I made up a set of WM3 Excel's from Buchanans, kept the tires the same, and they still bitch at me.
To thine own self be true.

mark99 · Jul 12, 2012

just verifying, you have 19" WM3s front and rear and no fit issues? I have gotten mixed input on fitting a WM3 to the front
I am leaning towards the rear 18 WM4 and 19 WM3 if I know for sure it will fit and I can get the 18 for the MK3
Thanks

JimC · Jul 12, 2012

I refer you to the post from Matt Ranbow of CNW:

CNW said:
Hey,

It is more important to go with the tire manufacturers recommendation in regards to size on the rim. This to ensure that it gets seated properly and doesn't balloon to alter the footprint. Older type tires have a huge sidewall compared to modern Metric type tires and the two types certainly have different recommendations when it comes to rim sizes.

JimC suggestion for sizes are spot on. A wm3 in the front for a 100/90-19" and if you go with a wm4 or 4.5 in the rear, then a 110 or 120/90-18" will be perfect. These two tires sizes will have the same, or very close to the same, rolling diameters (since the wider rear also gets taller). In other words, as far as the bike knows...you are spinning the same tire sizes.

Staying with the 19" rear does certainly limit the tire choices as a 19" rear is pretty much an obsolete size as far as the tire manufacturers are concerned. Few good tires are available and one is an Avon AM26 Roadrider that can be mounted front or rear by simply reversing the rotation. If you ran a 100/90-19" front and rear...then I would use a wm3 rim for both.

I would recommend an alloy rim for your wheel set. Light weight, strong and looks great. Go with some stainless steel spokes and nipples. Go with Buchanans. They offer some great product and stand behind it 100%.

Of course, opening the door to the 'wheel and tire recommendation' will definitely get you plenty of different advice, just like when starting and 'oil' thread.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

CanukNortonNut · Jul 13, 2012

Well I will throw my wrench into the mix. :shock:
I took some advice from Fullauto who mentioned that he was running WM-4 rims front and back with the 19" AM-26 universals. Well I think we are the only ones using this combination tire and rim on a Commando and I couldn't be happier. I got a lot of raised eyebrows from the older britbike guys including Mike at Walridge Motors where I bought them along with the stainless spokes but it fits up nicely on my 74 Interstate between the front forks with no clearance issues. I couldn't get the rims in the shouldered style in aluminium but I like the looks of the Morad rims. And it doesn't catch the dog pee in the valley of the shoulder, as Ken would say. :mrgreen:
Cheers,
CNN

Fullauto · Jul 13, 2012

Yep to that and if we are looking at manufacturers recommendations, then Avon say that the 100/90 AM26 Roadrider is made to be fitted to a WM4 (2.5") rim. They say that suitable alternatives are 2.15" and 2.75". Mind you, they also recommend the same tyre for the standard 1.85" rim as well.

I can honestly say that with the 2.5" rim and Avon 100/90 combination you will not find a finer steering/ handling combination. Of this I am quite sure. I've tried to talk Matt at CNW into doing just one set of these wheels but he hasn't............yet.

mark99 · Jul 14, 2012

Hi CanukNortonNut

If you where going all different on the rim width, why didn't you get an 18 for the rear?

Brooking 850 · Jul 14, 2012

Hey Canuk and Fullauto, any cance of some pics of your tyre & rim set up showing fork and swing arm clearance as I am looking at option s for Bike #2
Regards Mike

CanukNortonNut · Jul 14, 2012

Brooking 850 said:
Hey Canuk and Fullauto, any cance of some pics of your tyre & rim set up showing fork and swing arm clearance as I am looking at option s for Bike #2
Regards Mike

Mike
I will see what I can do for you. I will take some pictures tomorrow in the daylight. I will have to relearn how to use photobucket. :? I still don't know how to do an avatar pic.

Dumb as a stick when it comes to computers. :roll: LOL
Cheers.
Tom
CNN