another wheel question

Took a real close look at my wheels today. The chrome on the front rim is in nearly perfect shape and the spokes polish up, so I assume they are SS. I am guessing that the front wheel was re-built at some point. The rear wheel, I believe has not been rebuilt as the spokes are zinc coated. The rim of rear wheel is the one with major gouges in the chrome. So.... I'd like to rebuild the rear to match the front. Question. What is the best way to match the wheels? Where can one buy an original, chromed, steel rim? Buchanan has some they call "British" rims. They also have some chromed, 19", 2.15 rim on sale.

Seems like most folks are going to polished aluminum rims. Do these match the look of chrome? Also, and this is a real basic question - are the original Norton rims dimpled?

Original rims are dimpled. Those are the bumps where the spokes come out of the rim. To help answer your question about buying rims, here is a question for you. How important is it to you that your bike is original? You can buy rims that look like originals but they won't be Dunlop rims. If the front has been rebuilt does it still have the Dunlop rim? It should be stamped into the rim.

Next up you will be asked if you want the original size or if you want to go wider. It is a common thing to buy wider rims for the modern tire profiles. It also seems to cause controversy. Read any number of threads on rim width and tire sizes.

I would spend some time looking at Central Wheel's web site: http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/

I would also spend some time looking at Walridge's site. They might even have the wheels on their end of the year sales flyer. The flyer and catalog are available here: http://www.walridge.com/

Buchanans is usually pretty good over the phone if you get the right person. You gotta get past the woman at the desk. Walridge is also a good phone call to make. I have never dealt with Central Wheel but I drool over some of their stuff. They have distributors in the US.

Russ

The rims Buchanan's calls British chrome are made in England, and are called such to distinguish them from the Asian copies. Visually, there is no difference between the new ones and the original Dunlops, save 'Dunlop' stamped on the rim. I thought about having mine re-chromed, but the cost was more than a replacement, and my chromer said there was an excellent chance the 'Dunlop' would be covered up in the process.

These British chrome rims are available from a variety of sources. Mine came with a little union jack sticker that said C.W.C. - got them from Mike at Walridge.

The prioroity is to have a new, original Dunlop rim, but if one is not availalbe or is too expensive then a lookalike such as the British rim from Buchanan would work. I'm inlcined to stick with the original size even though it limits tire choices.

I will check those sources you listed. Thanks a lot.

and where do you think the "British" rims from C.W.C Central Wheel Company comes from????

I bought an original rim off eBay and sent it along with the hub to Buchannans for stainless spokes.

I have seen some NOS rims on Ebay. They fetch a pretty high price but not outrageous compared to a newly manufactured rim. You might put a wanted ad in the classified section here. I bought some really beautiful original rims from a member here. Somebody who went to alloy might still have some mint rims on the wall.

Russ

You might consider Devon rims. I think British Cycle Supply carries them on this side of the pond.
It is possible to obtain them direct from the manufacturer but you will pay dearly for carriage.
Dearly, good sir. However, the quality is matchless. They offer both chrome plated and stainless.
I went with stainless both 19" WM2. Had Buchanan lace with their SS spokes and nips. The only
caveat : the rear rim came back with the nipples awful high in the dimples on the inside. Looks
to me it is due to the angle of the spokes and perhaps original rims were different front and rear.
Anybody know about this? I simply used a rim band and several layers of extreme duty duct tape.
Not on the road until next spring so no feed back yet.
Oh, one other thing: seems to me most later era Commandos had a Jones on one end and a
Dunlop on the other. Id go look to see which was which but it is wintry right now and the
wind is howling. Not leaving the cheerful woodstove!
http://devonrimcompany.com/

madass140 said:

and where do you think the "British" rims from C.W.C Central Wheel Company comes from????

Click to expand...

I assumed they come from here

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/rims/english_chrome_rim/english_chrome_rim.html

Don't they have to be made in England for them to be stamped 'Made in England'?

THAT is an issue believe it or not. Part of the problem is what legally defines 'made in'.
I believe Central has some of their rims pretty much made offshore than final polishing or
whatever in UK and so the get to tag it such. They also have a premium wheel on offer but
whether or not the same issue is in play I dont know.
Devon claims 100% manufactured in UK.
Im not in bed with either out fit just reporting what Ive read and that fact that
the rims I bought from Devon were nicely made and satisfying. Centrals stuff
may well be fine, no personal experience with them.
Ask DogT I believe he has a set.

Why not just rechrome your original rim?

"Don't they have to be made in England for them to be stamped 'Made in England'?"
so they are definitely stamped "Made in England"?

CWC sell several rims including ones stamped "Made in England" but that can just mean its finished in England. The also sell a chrome Italian rim cheaper but the chrome is not supposed to be as durable. Devon rims do have the reputation of being the best in the UK. They are now all up against Chinese and Indian Stainless rims selling at less than Chrome rim prices.

aboone said:

Why not just rechrome your original rim?

Click to expand...

My local chrome shop wants $300-325 for a dimpled rim, and they say there's a good chance the stamping will be erased in the process, as the letters tend to get filled up in the buffing/plating operation.

If the goal is to have a rim that reads 'Dunlop', re-chroming may defeat that purpose.