spoke wheel painting

[jeepurze]

Ive come across a nice set of alum. spoke wheels , if i do a bobber I would like them painted red , some one tell me do ,they have to be completly dissassembed to do this . Im sure the answere is yes but im hopping. now paint what is the best kind for alum. wheels .theses are the stock 75 wheels . now i know someone will say powder coat , if this is done is there a place that will dissassemble coat and reassemble? next ive heard a cb 900 is a bolt on front end anyone else heard this ? also really like large front tire rear rim will be stock size (i know everyone wants big 16)and id like the same sized tire as front . how large can front be using stock disc if I stay with stock forks.

[50gary]

I would true the wheels if they need it and then powder coat them. I have a friend that has a powder coating shop and I can ask him the proper way to go about it. If you ask someone to take them apart and put them back together you better have deep pockets. For the record; I don't like the 16"rear on the XS bikes unless, like David Rayner, you put a 16" on the front as well, and that wouldn't handle at all but looks cool. Remember, try to keep it simple. Why would you want the CB 900 front end, what year?
Cheers, 50gary

[cswamp1]

They would need complete disassembly to give a good job;paint will not last as well as powder coat;the nipples should be new(stainless is best) anything else tends to peel or chip edges when truing.You can do this yourself with time rather than money-if you get close a local shop(even bicycles) can set you straight.Define Bolt-On;if you change stem in lower clamp/adapt bearings;you can bolt any front end on any frame;This being true,use the most modern/adjustable/available one you can that looks good to you & matches the rear best.I suggest use of one off a bike as close to your running weight now as possible;it saves a lot of hassle in set-up.I put a GSXR upside-down on a flat track Honda for the tuning ease but had to revalve/damp a lot because of the amount of such differences & original design intent.

[jeepurze]

50 gary was told that 900 was easy swap and was 3" longer, never liked extending the spindly stock forks anyway im just getting ideas , I copy these to word pad on putor and save for future projects,
the thing with dissassembly of wheels and powder coat is will nipples screw in to spoke with p c or paint without mucking them up , and does anyone anodize anymore? remember these questions come from someone that used toothpaste as chrome polish back in the 70's im a little behind on new tech.how about the front tire size on stock 75 rim how big can i go, handleing wont be the issue on this mainly looks and budget.

[cswamp1]

You can use tooth paste to polish all kinds of things,works great.If you don't change triple clamps width you're limiting possible wider front tire choices severely.Painted/coated nipples will screw up;we even have problems with gold plated ones(to soft)-Show chrome only works so many times-then tries to rust on edges.This is the reason most race apps use polished or anodized rims with stainless spokes & nipples

[jeepurze]

so where does a guy go for anodizing and does this mean rim dissassembly? why dont you hear more about anodizing its all powder coat now? If you adjust spokes will it crack or chip anodizing? This is what had me confused on powder coat and paint it only makes sense that if you loosen tighten spoke paint or powder coat will have to chip due to 0 tolerance...And if its not a show bike why not true the wheel clicky can it and keep some paint for touchup.

[jimellsworth]

freshly cleaned aluminium develops an oxide layer. Anodizing is increasing (depth into the aluminium) the oxide layer. And can add color. So it seems best mechanically (spoke tightening). Power coat is great on machined rims. Powered coat adds a lot of thickness compared to other methods. If you paint aluminium you need the right primer (zinc oxide) or you may have paint failure.
I have '75 rims I need to clean up also, good thing to run thru the options.