I need to replace both my rims (they have chrome pitting), I figure I might as well go with alloy (19" x WM3 front, 18" x WM4 back). looking at getting excel or maybe sun from Buchanan, and saw they come silver or black anodized... I'm not particularly fond of to much bling, so was thinking I might go with the black ones. Does anyone have any pictures of a mostly stock commando with black rims, so I get a better idea of what it would look like before I buy?
black anodized rim
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Fast Eddie
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Usually the silver anodising is much duller than chrome or polished alloy. Kinda looks non-bling but still ‘normal’ / ‘classic’.
Black looks cool, but definitely looks ‘different’ / ‘modern’.
Black looks cool, but definitely looks ‘different’ / ‘modern’.
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I don't think I've owned a motorcycle that stayed stock more than 3 days. It's a curse.
What Nigel said
The non-flanged (shouldered) Excel rims have a Red logo on the side. They are not high polish bling. Same is probably true for the shouldered rims, because Buchanan charges extra for polishing. New spokes have some shiny bling, but that won't last long unless you like polishing spokes. Buchanan are good folk, but pricey.
Black anodized could use a pinstripe for an additional coolness factor.
Not a Commando and not a full 2-wheel side view, but this is what the standard finish on a non-shouldered Excel looks like.
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If aluminium contains copper as an alloying element, it cannot be successfully anodised. Normal untreated aluminium rims do not corrode unless they stand for years in damp conditions. Magnesium hubs are not good in damp conditions, unless they have the right surface treatment. WW2 aeroplanes used to have magnesium parts which were treated to a defence specification. The aircraft industry still uses that .
You can test for copper in aluninium by applying a drop of dilute caustic soda solution with a cotton bud. If the drop turns black, there is copper present
You can test for copper in aluninium by applying a drop of dilute caustic soda solution with a cotton bud. If the drop turns black, there is copper present
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So if I’m reading this correctly the “EXCEL” lettering is a sticker, and it can be removed? Anyone know if there is a mark left after you remove it?
I was originally looking at polished aluminum, but most of what Buchanan offers is anodized, and after some research it seems like anodized will stand up to corrosion better, especially from salt. While I don’t plan to be riding in the winter when the roads up here are salted, I’d rather not have to worry about it. I would assume that the anodized rims would not contain copper…?
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Your eyes are working fine for reading, but it's not a sticker. It's applied to the rim with I don't know what process. Might be a lacquer based. If it is lacquer it might come off with lacquer thinner. I have no plans to remove it to find out. If it was a sticker, you could remove it with a heat gun and clean up the residue with isopropyl alcohol or similar, and it would not leave a mark. Not a sticker though.
gnolan
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I don't know of an aluminum alloy that doesn't contain copper.
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Aluminium Development Corporation #4 series is higher strength and contains about 4 % copper. The #5 series is marine aluminium and contains magnesium. If you put a drop of dilute caustic soda solution on it, you get a white precipitate in the drop. There are five main ADC types of aluminium - the 6000 and 7000 series are aircraft aluminium, and are very highly alloyed. The 1000 and 2000 series are almost pure aluminium. The aluminium with copper as the main alloying elerment is more susceptible to corrosion. If you anodise it, it might end up looking like a hessian bag. A trace of copper does not matter. But the 4000 series cannot be successfully anodised, From memory, the 3000 series contains silicon.
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thats right excel rims no logo
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whatever it is it can be either removed or ordered without it. if you buy directly off the shelf you get what everyone else gets, go to a professional wheel builder and they give you what you ask for.
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The shouldered rims like what you are showing do not come with the logo on the sides from Buchanan. No special ordering instructions are required. Only the non-shouldered rims like I posted an image of have the logo.
I bought my rim and spokes from Buchanan's Spoke & Rim here in the USA. Doesn't get anymore professional for a wheel retailer/builder. I built my own wheel though. That's how I roll.
nonsense, It's not a sticker, and if you order a shouldered rim from Buchanan it won't have the damn logo on it.
Yes, but I don’t really want to deal with “the bathtub effect” (water and dirt collecting in the shoulder)
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The shoulder flanges make them very stiff.
As I imagine it would, but am I really going to feel or need that extra stiffness if I’m not racing or jumping?
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Not if you also never hit a good pothole.
True. But how often do you actually hit something that bends an unflanged rim but doesn’t bend a flanged rim. I just wonder why unflanged rims are sold by reputable brands if they bend whenever they are hit… does anyone actually have an experience where they needed the extra strength of an unflanged rim or is it more a case of bragging rights: “I ride so hard that I need extra strong rims”. To be clear I’m asking here, I have minimal real life experience with any spoked alloy rims.
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none of the above, they just look awesome. if you want to use rims made from chewing gum go for it, personal choice my friend.
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