Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech fat tire

Where can I find a 15"x5.5" 40 spoke rim? I want to put on a bigger rim and lace it to my stock hub. I have looked nearly everywhere and can not find anything. Please help.

I believe the only way your gonna make this happen is to have a wheel company like Wheel Works in Southern California make one for you. I did this for the front of my bike. I purchased a wider blank rim from WW. They drilled the required holes and laced my stock hub on with new stainless steel spokes.

Thanks, do you have a web address for these guys?

Thanks Mark,
I'm entertaining the idea of installing a 16"x5.5" rim.
I have one off of a harley and I would mount a 180 on it. Do you know if this would fit ant if not what would have to be done?
thanks Tim

If I'm not mistaken, people have mounted 180s on the stock wheel, stock is only a 170...

I have the 180/70 ME880 on my speedmaster. It fits just fine. I think any wider and i would really need a wider rim.

I dropped my stock wheel and the harley rim off at a local bike shop. I'm not sure that they will be able to get the spokes needed. I'm talking with Buchanan spoke trying to get something going, but I may need a drawing of our hub to send them. Does anyone know how to get one?

I spoke with Buchanan Spoke and we have it all figured out. They are going to charge $1.60 a spoke and have a turnaround of a few days. I think I'll be waiting on the powder coater to do coat my rims (and other parts) a couple of weeks. When I'm totally done with the bike I'll post pics.

Do that!I for one would like to see the finished product and the total cost.I checked with wheel works and it was over $600 to do it.See if you can get it done any cheaper and let me know!

Hi Paschal,
I wanted to go the other way with my rear tire. I saw a 120 mounted on the front of piper's bike and that made me think of how sweet my old Triumphs handled with same size or near same size tires. My America rides out as well as all our BonnyAms do. But get in some tight sweeping roads and just when your about to touch a knee, the rear tire takes over and your have to slow down to finish. I wanted to get the Avon venoms, but today I was at Sears to see when their motorcycle jack was going on sale again. When I left, I hit a small piece of angle iron in the parking lot that cut a 25mm gash in my rear tire. I called my bride for a ride home to get my truck and took the rear wheel to an independent shop. No one in town had Avons the size I wanted. But this dealer had some Dunlop Elite II in a size close to stock 170s. He said they are the same as a 160 would be, slightly narrower than stock. I bought it for $125 mounted with a new tube. I installed it on my bike and immediately saw a difference. The rear end feels really tight through curves with no difference in straight up riding. My old tire had half the tread left so the "newness" of the replacement shouldn't be what I am feeling. The dealer said this is really the best street tire Dunlop ever made. I know nothing about tire sizes, but this one is labelled: MV85B15 - I like it. I was forced to buy it because it was the only choice in town and my sweetness was all alone in the mall parking lot with her rear end tore out and under a cover (didn't want anyone to see her like that). Fat rears look cool, note the new Victory Hammer!
Dennis

Skillet,
that 160 probably does handle better. I'm glad you were able to find a tire in a pinch.
I realize that a fat tire may not improve the cornering, but I feel its worth the sacrifice to get the "look" I want.
My powder coating buddy is picking up my rims saturday. So it may be a couple of weeks until I get the tires mounted. Also I have a lot more going on with the bike, it may be a month and a half until the bike is pic worthy.

Triumph 72,
Look up Buchanan spoke and rim online, there they will have a contact number. The guys name is Kenny Buchanan. My spokes should be there about tuesday 15th. He charges $1.60 a spoke, so about $64 is what it would take on the spoke. I'm not sure on the 16"x5.5" rim, a buddy gave it to me. You could probably find one on ebay. The bike shop (not a Triumph bike shop) near my house charges $75 to unlace and relace.
It will be a considerable amount cheaper to do it this way.
good luck

Hi paschal,
Can't wait to see pictures. Tulsa's weather should break before you're finished, got something else to ride? In September I'll be in Oklahoma City (or near abouts) for a couple days (at the end of the Trail of Tears ride). Tulsa ain't far out of the way home. Maybe I can do a drive by and see it in the flesh. I think I am going back home through Joplin, MO so that would be a good stop.
Dennis

Skillet,
sounds like a good idea to me. Just shoot me an email a couple of weeks before the ride.