New spoke rims cant find 16"

[Stevo]

My chrome rims/spokes are pretty rusted, not sure i want to clean with all the other sanding that needs to be done, i have found replacement 18"s rims, spokes for the xs400 but i cannot seem to find 16" rims, spoke replacements, why is that? Can I, should i just go with 18" front and rear? I am sure there's 16"s in other makes but I really want to stay with the spokes.....

Okay and another question, wheel sizes list like 18x1.85" and 18x2.15", is the second number width of rim?

Dime City and MikesXS has the 18" but why no 16", maybe i'll call them.

By the way going with the Firestone Vintage Champions, have seen them on a few of your bikes here and they look damn cool.

Thanks,
Stevo

 

[drewpy]

2nd # is the rim width

make sure you get the nipple holes drilled to suit the angle of the spokes or you'll have trouble later down the road.

I think it would be one of those times where you really need a specialist to do the job.

 

[Stevo]

Gotcha - ya i noticed like on Dime City they ask for make model, etc... i think for punching....

 

[ThePsuedoMonkey]

I've seen sets of 16" spokes on ebay, but mostly for them Harleys. You might be able to just measure the straight length of the spokes and compare that to the new ones.

 

[Stevo]

I would think the spoke punch location in the rim would matter, you would think anyway

 

[Stevo]

Wonder if could just go 18" on rear

 

[bentwrench]

Same size front and rear can look pretty awesome, if the bike is set up right...

 

[Stevo]

I think I am going to go with 18" front and rear, but not just a bit higher on the tire size for rear.... when i look at tire sizes for the Firestone Vintage, the format is like (400-18) or (500-18), i am thinking the first number is like inches... 4.00"... sound right? So looks like to replace hub to other wheel/spoke set i just need to remove the spokes on the old correct, dumb question but do i just unscrew from rim side I am guessing, also for reinstall do they screw till tight or is there a measurement involved?

Thanks all,
Stevo

 

[HoughMade]

A person can build their own wheel, but you will need to make a truing stand. The manner in which spokes are installed is somewhat complicated and involves a lot of fine adjustment. I would do some reading up on this before I took on the project.

Spokes are removed by unscrewing the nipples from the outside of the rim, that is, from under where the tube sits.

 

[bentwrench]

Huh huh....

He said "nipples."