Getting new wheels, choosing correct size

Status
Not open for further replies.
1973x75

1973x75

Joined
Nov 15, 2015
Messages
160
Country flag
Staying with 19”, looking at Borrani’s from Buchanan’s. After searching through the archives, it looks like WM-3 with Avon AM26 tires is the combination that that most people agree would not creat any fittment or handling issues. Not looking for any high performance advantage, just doing maintenance and upgrades through the course of my lifetime.
Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Just a thought, like you I wanted to upgrade my wheels and so I called Buchanan's about 15 years ago,
they said to cut the spokes away and send them my front and rear hubs and that would build new wheels around them with the correct offsets. They highly recommended 19 front and 18 rear for improved handling in addition to more shouldered for modern tires, and they told me to fit Avon Super Venoms, now called Road Riders I believe? I have been very happy with these choices.
 
Or as an alternative you could talk to Don P. , on this forum as madass140 , sure glad I did when shopping for wheels , ended up with more ( one piece SS rear axle etc. ) for less ... rarely happens these days ....
Craig
 
One reason to go to an 18" rear is that there is a greater choice of rear tires available for 18" rims. You can get better wear. There are many threads on this forum that discuss this point.
 
1973x75 said:
Staying with 19”, looking at Borrani’s from Buchanan’s. After searching through the archives, it looks like WM-3 with Avon AM26 tires is the combination that that most people agree would not creat any fittment or handling issues. Not looking for any high performance advantage, just doing maintenance and upgrades through the course of my lifetime.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Click to expand...

I think that's a good choice. You might consider WM4 for the rear?
I'v heard that the "Boranni" flanged style is a PIA to keep clean. I like those Excel rims, myself.
Where are you gonna get the hubs? If you're using your existing ones, consider sprucing them up before they get assembled. Some of the castings are kinda rough.
 
Some of the castings are kinda rough.
Kinda rough!! I’ve yet to see rougher castings on any bike, including H-D. If you’ve got a drum rear hub, nows the time to put it on a lathe and turn it so it’s round and clean up the finning. They look great then. You can either polish or bead blast them depending on what finish you want.
 
1973x75 said:
Staying with 19”, looking at Borrani’s from Buchanan’s. After searching through the archives, it looks like WM-3 with Avon AM26 tires is the combination that that most people agree would not creat any fittment or handling issues. Not looking for any high performance advantage, just doing maintenance and upgrades through the course of my lifetime.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Click to expand...

Depends on whether you want the popular choice, or the correct choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: baz
tyborg15 said:
Some of the castings are kinda rough. If you’ve got a drum rear hub, nows the time to put it on a lathe and turn it so it’s round and clean up the finning. They look great then. You can either polish or bead blast them depending on what finish you want.
Click to expand...

CNW offers an excellent service on hubs which renders them looking very nice. After polishing the surface should be sealed by clear lacqer.
Unless you have a Mk3, a better option is to junk the standard rear hub and go with Don Pender's cushioned rear hub.

At the front end, there are various hub options providing a stable spoke pattern (the Norton pattern on disc hubs is inherently unstable).

-Knut
 
I just had a 19" rear WM3 put on my Pender hub. SS Devon. Not the best choice in width probably but marginally better than WM2 and
I wanted the utility of stainless. Devon (and nobody else as far as I know) doesnt do a WM4 or 5. You have to go alloy for that.
And I really didnt want to get too involved in going non-stock for things like chain guards and mudguards.

...its bad enough I have to go 520 on the chain due to the TTI box.
 
Some are sticklers for authenticity, thereby choosing the 19" rear. Other than that, there is no good reason to choose a 19" rim over an 18" rim. An 18" WM-4 rim is a much better choice for tire availability and tire wear. As for handling, the wider 18" tires have almost exactly the same circumference as a narrow 19", so there is no perceptible difference in handling. Some claim the 18" handles better, but I doubt most riders are capable of finding a tire's limits. IMO, the wider 18" rear tire is a much better appearing tire than the outdated, skinny 19" tire.
 
JimC said:
Some are sticklers for authenticity, thereby choosing the 19" rear. Other than that, there is no good reason to choose a 19" rim over an 18" rim. An 18" WM-4 rim is a much better choice for tire availability and tire wear. As for handling, the wider 18" tires have almost exactly the same circumference as a narrow 19", so there is no perceptible difference in handling. Some claim the 18" handles better, but I doubt most riders are capable of finding a tire's limits. IMO, the wider 18" rear tire is a much better appearing tire than the outdated, skinny 19" tire.
Click to expand...
Many people fit 18" on the back of their commandos and they are fine,
But mine used to break into a high speed weave with an 18" rear tyre/rim
I put a 19" back in and it's absolutely perfect , and this was a direct replacement on the same day with no other alterations ,
Also in the past I had a 17" x130 tyre in the back now it really hated that one
Cheers
 
I too prefer the look of the wider 18" but mine would start to weave at about 80mph and get violent above 90mph
 
JimC said:
Some are sticklers for authenticity, thereby choosing the 19" rear. Other than that, there is no good reason to choose a 19" rim over an 18" rim. An 18" WM-4 rim is a much better choice for tire availability and tire wear. As for handling, the wider 18" tires have almost exactly the same circumference as a narrow 19", so there is no perceptible difference in handling. Some claim the 18" handles better, but I doubt most riders are capable of finding a tire's limits. IMO, the wider 18" rear tire is a much better appearing tire than the outdated, skinny 19" tire.
Click to expand...

Well, that's right. It's what looks best that's important.
 
The guy asked a simple question. Avon provide the answer. Can I respectfully request that we do not repeat the usual 15 page emotion fuelled argument here?!

You two guys have argued this before, and guess what, you both remain unconvinced by the others point of view. Which is fine. Can’t we leave it there?
 
baz said:
I too prefer the look of the wider 18" but mine would start to weave at about 80mph and get violent above 90mph
Click to expand...

The weave has absolutely nothing to do with tire diameter. I’ve had the exact same issue, in reverse. Weave with a 19”, no weave with 18”. More likely a tire mounting issue.
 
Last edited:
I have flanged Dunlop, Borrani, and Akronts. I've had my fill of flanged rims. No more 18" rear for my commando or featherbeds.
Flangeless SUN from Buchannan stock size only from now on.
 
I’ve had Borrani’s in the past, and didn’t notice any negative issues with the flanged rims. I see the Sun rims have no dimples...no concerns there other than aesthetics?
 
dynodave said:
I have flanged Dunlop, Borrani, and Akronts. I've had my fill of flanged rims. No more 18" rear for my commando or featherbeds.
Flangeless SUN from Buchannan stock size only from now on.
Click to expand...


Why the negative for 18" rear rims?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top