Suzuki 2 Strokes

The rear spokes on my 76 GT550 are in sad shape cosmetically. I'd like to re-lace them with new ones, but new ones are NLA. No one has them.
On ebay there are loads of complete sets (72 pcs.) but they are from Thailand. Very reasonably priced at $55 to $75 a set. I'd like to know if anyone has used these. Are they any good or are they junk? It's not a huge investment, but I don't want to buy scrap. Anyone?

Coyote,
I can't comment on the Thai spokes, but wondered if you'd considered having your original spokes re-zinc plated?
At least they be the right size then.
I have an old full set from a 550A rear wheel and they looked ropey when I dismantled the wheel, but having wire brushed them all, they're probably worth saving as the plating seems to have completely protected them (well, that and the thick coat of chain grease )
Mike

I can't comment on the Thai spokes, but wondered if you'd considered having your original spokes re-zinc plated?

Have re plated front spokes for my T500 as they also are NLA. The originals were cadmium plated, not zinc. I have another 2 sets going to the plater next week. If you decide to re plate with Cad, make sure they bake them after to stop "hydrogen embrittlement"

I had my spokes plated on my GS1000 with electroless nickel. I stripped them with muriatic acid that took all the o;d plating off. Spokes looked great for a long time but they are starting to rust again. There are 2 problems with re-plating. First is nobody around here wants to fool with them. The second is the PRICE. That rear set cost me $80 and that was 20 years ago.
GT750 spokes are available but they won't fit. I have some old ones off a B model and checked them against my wheel. They are approx 3/8 too short and they are a different diameter as well. 550 spokes check.126. 750 spokes check .138.

I actually have 3 sets going to the platers, it's still $80.00 for all 3. Most platers will do a "lot" for a fixed price. $80.00 is cheap for 3 sets if you consider that T500 front spokes are unobtanium. Don't know about 550 spokes but I'm sure re plating is cheap compared to NOS if you can find them, that's if you don't want to go after market and keep it original.

I have used the spokes from Taiwan and Thailand several times from several vendors. Im not sure which vendor is selling the GT550 ones on there now, but I have had great results from buying from these guys...

http://www.newsonsportec.com/spokes.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The spokes are stainless steel and are comparable to Buchanon spokes. They also make custom spokes for great prices. You just give them the dimensions and they will make them up. Customs ones took about 2 weeks to get from Taiwan. The shelf items took about 4 days from Taiwan to California. They charged me $68 USD for a 2 spoke sets with nipples. That ebay user was "laloma123".

Like I said, Ive used 3 different vendors before, they all worked fine, some were zinc, some were stainless, but Newson was the best price, quality and delivery time. The Taiwan items seem to be better quality than the Thailand ones. Thailand was also slower shipping.

The newson site is rather vague. Ho did you figure out the angles for the inners and outers?

I bought a set of the chromed Thai spoke for my T350 about 4 years ago and fitted them myself by laboriously taking out a couple at a time and replacing them with the Thai, as respoking from scratch is a job I did once and did not wish to repeat.

The Thai spokes I bought did not have the thicker shaft up near the angled head of the spoke like the Suzuki originals but have worked well and maintained their appearance by virtue of careful maintenance with polish. As we are heading into the hot, humid rainy season in Sth Queensland I spray the spokes and the rest of the chromed bits with Inox spray to keep rust at bay but a few rust spots did appear on some of the nipples.

If you want another option these guys are the best in the USA

http://www.buchananspokes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paul Miller has a front and rear set on eBay right now for $170. Very tempting but the ad just says 77 GT550. Weren't they all alike from 73 on? It's not like him to not list all they fit and occasionally some they don't.
I just did a search and the part number was the same for all years 65300-31830. That has been superseded by 65300-31831. Paul Miller doesn't mention any part numbers. Makes me leery.

The rear drum changed on the late 550s. I'll check the catalogue later for spokes. Last year I had a stainless rim & spokes on my 550K at Wyldes in Leeds (UK), They have a huge stock of rims & spokes, so an email or look on their website may be worth while.

When I ordered the custom spokes from Newson I had just sent them this picture and a description of the angles and the inne/outer use. (By the way, these dimensions are for a different bike.)



Ive ordered Buchanon spokes many times also. They are top notch. They can make custom stainless for about 120-130 usd. Likely they have the specs already too for your bike.
http://www.buchananspokes.com/categorie ... e_sets.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The rear drum changed on the late 550s

Really? Are you sure? Why would the rear spoke part number be the same from 73 thru 77?

Coyote wrote:

The rear drum changed on the late 550s

Really? Are you sure?

Yep. JKL spokes are different to MAB, brake panel, shoes, cam & lever all different too.

Why would the rear spoke part number be the same from 73 thru 77?

It isn't. 65320-15818 JKL, 65300-31830 MAB.
Details taken from my Suzuki GT550 parts catalogues.

Or have a look HERE (clicky) for more details.

OK Alan. My parts list confirms what you are saying. I was going by Partzilla which shows them all to be the same.