Original wheel spokes

KENS74 · Mar 9, 2011

You guys helped me so much on my idling problem I have another question. I recently acquired a 1974 norton commando with 2800 original miles.It is all original and in great shape. It has original everything, I think of it like a time capsule. Even the paint is amazing.My question: I want to change the spokes to something shinier.Mine are nice dull OEM. Should I leave it alone since it is all original?I hate to screw up a piece of history like this. What do you think?

hockeylife · Mar 9, 2011

Definately leave it alone and original!

Captain B · Mar 9, 2011

Chrome won't get you home 8)

mikegray660 · Mar 9, 2011

your bike - do what you want

Webby03 · Mar 9, 2011

Leave them alone, don't replace them!
If you want shiny spokes try polishing them with some metal polish on a length of string. (Should only take you about a week per wheel

)

Webby

daveparry · Mar 9, 2011

I agree with those that say 'leave them alone' !
Dave.

Ron L · Mar 9, 2011

If you want shiny spokes try polishing them with some metal polish on a length of string. (Should only take you about a week per wheel )

Or try some Luster Lace strips
http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Care-LUSTER-tubular-polishing/dp/B0012TWWAO

For my one owner, '73 MkV, I've decided to get an extra set of hubs and lace up with stainless spokes and mount some Avon RoadRiders. I'll keep the cad spoked K81-shod wheels for full effect originality.

oldman · Mar 9, 2011

Keep original wheels and get another set built alloy rims etc

bpatton · Mar 9, 2011

Whenever an originality fascist attacks my bike's alterations the first things I look at on their bikes are spokes, powdercoat, wiring, and fasteners. For me the sine qua non always boils down to the spokes.

DogT · Mar 9, 2011

OH, NO, I threw out my old spokes.

Dave
69S

swooshdave · Mar 9, 2011

Even with low miles you'll have plenty of things to fix or upgrade. Spokes are probably the least of your worries.

Hobot · Mar 9, 2011

I've tired to polish up used Norton spokes, both by mechanical and chemical means, thinking I'd save money, but found that rust leaves pits and takes a good sanding to remove darkness and the treads also tend to get decayed to take the torque to stay put. Nipples same sad way, I've painted many to keep from standing out so bad. Polished rust is still kinda nice compared to the dull textured kind, but its still not slivery up close. Would stand out if painted color then clear coated and buffet out, but not factory or normal way of course.

maylar · Mar 10, 2011

Front wheel on mine has polished stainless spokes, rear is original factory cleaned as best as I can get them. The difference is rather obvious, but I'm not going to change them until the rear wheel needs to come apart for some other reason.

And you probably have bigger fish to fry in getting the old girl sorted.

KENS74 · Mar 10, 2011

Thanks for all the suggestions.The bike came with an extra set of new(30 year old new) Borrani rims. Maybe I will get a set of spare polished hubs and have the best of both worlds.

swooshdave · Mar 10, 2011

KENS74 said:
Thanks for all the suggestions.The bike came with an extra set of new(30 year old new) Borrani rims. Maybe I will get a set of spare polished hubs and have the best of both worlds.

Or sell the rims and pay for the bike. :mrgreen:

bpatton · Mar 10, 2011

DogT said:
OH, NO, I threw out my old spokes.

Dave
69S

Dave, don't worry. There's a guy down in the Bay Area with a hoard of original spokes and Dunlop rims too.

elefantrider · Dec 9, 2014

bpatton said:
DogT said:

OH, NO, I threw out my old spokes.

Dave
69S

Click to expand...

Dave, don't worry. There's a guy down in the Bay Area with a hoard of original spokes and Dunlop rims too.

and who would that be? Contact me via PM please.

Original wheel spokes

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