I picked up a set of spokes from this fellow on eBay for my '73 Buffalo as I had dealt with him before and he had a good feedback score. However when I compare the originals to the new ones they are different. The new ones are made of an odd size wire of just under 9 ga (so a diameter of 3.45 to 3.48 mm) and not swedged at the hub end. The originals are thinner at the rim end (10 ga wire or 3.2 mm) and swedged out to a thicker 8 ga (or 4mm) at the hub end. Although the overall thicker diameter wire seems like a good idea, the fit just seems a bit too sloppy at the hub end.
So the question - has anyone else used these same spokes on a Buff ? And if so, are you happy with the fit ? My inclination is to bin them and either get a set of Suzuki ones or go to someone like Buchanans, but I thought I'd get some input first. Thanks in advance.
Ian
If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
Ian if the fit at the hub hole is sloppy i would definately not use them.
Suzukis spokes are relatively cheap at around $70.00 for a set, Buchanans stainless ones are way nicer but cost a lot more. I'm not sure if Buchanans use chrome plated brass nipples, but if they use stainless nipples you will need some anti-seize to prevent galling on the threads.
That's what I'm thinking as well - I have it all laced up and it looks fine but I don't trust it. The spoke heads are smaller than the originals, and do not quite cover the hole in the hub that they go through.
I think I'll rewind and just start over.
Ian
If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
Thanks Chris - always good to be able to bookmark another source I normally buy from Dillons at this link http://www.powersportspro.com/ - their pricing is similar. And just for info - the same part numbers from a Suzuki dealer here in Canada are $96 for the front and $107 for the rear
Ian
If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
And here's another spoke related question - I see that the rear spokes for the GT750 J, K and L models have a different, and discontinued, part number from the M, A and B models. This is part 65300-31812 which then for the later models is listed as 65300-37811 changing eventually to 65300-45811. I see also that the rim part numbers change.
Anyone have any idea what the difference is ?
Ian
If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
It seems to be more of a styling change possibly. The older spoke sets had nipples with cross head slots while the later ones had a finish plate change and phillips heads.
Rims could be a change of manufacturer, small style difference or similar.
