17" spoked front wheel
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17" spoked front wheel
Hi all
I am planning a bit of modification to my bike - a 75 GL1000
I love the look of a 17" front wheel, black rim and hub with shiny spokes teamed up with a chunky tyre
Has anyone done this mod? Does anyone know of a 17" x 1.85, 40 spoke wheel on another bike that could be used as a donor rim (I am happy to upcycle rather than buy new - it will be powder coated black after all)
Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers
Mark
I am planning a bit of modification to my bike - a 75 GL1000
I love the look of a 17" front wheel, black rim and hub with shiny spokes teamed up with a chunky tyre
Has anyone done this mod? Does anyone know of a 17" x 1.85, 40 spoke wheel on another bike that could be used as a donor rim (I am happy to upcycle rather than buy new - it will be powder coated black after all)
Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers
Mark
- Fred Camper
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Nothing come to my mind. Not unusual for me. But others may have a clue.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Thanks anyway 
It seems most 40 spoke rims only go down to a 18", smaller than that and 36 spoke seems more popular
It seems most 40 spoke rims only go down to a 18", smaller than that and 36 spoke seems more popular
- Old Fogey
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
If it's really important to you, you could contact one of these companies who will make one for you, in black. if you want a chunky tyre on it, I suggest you use a 2.15 rim. You could get a matching pair with a 3" rear rim.
Yes, shock, horror, made in China!
https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fs ... product_en
Yes, shock, horror, made in China!
https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fs ... product_en
Last edited by Old Fogey on Fri Mar 03, 2023 1:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Impossible Is Just a Level of Difficulty!..."
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If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!

- Fred Camper
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Adventure bikes are most common with spokes today but Adventure bikes use big front wheels. so thinking the link above or Buchanan may be your only sources
https://www.buchananspokes.com/
https://www.buchananspokes.com/
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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- Lead Member
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2021 7:02 pm
Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Thanks for the replies
Buchanon I have looked at before, it's less than ideal that they are in California and I am in England
I will look into 2.15 options
I understand Adventure bikes still use spokes today, but just about every bike came with them in the 70's and into the 80's. These were the bikes I meant when I said about using a donor from another bike, not one from a brand new adventure bike.
I am sure there must be an alternative to importing a rim from America or China
The quest continues
Cheers
Buchanon I have looked at before, it's less than ideal that they are in California and I am in England
I will look into 2.15 options
I understand Adventure bikes still use spokes today, but just about every bike came with them in the 70's and into the 80's. These were the bikes I meant when I said about using a donor from another bike, not one from a brand new adventure bike.
I am sure there must be an alternative to importing a rim from America or China
The quest continues
Cheers
- Old Fogey
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
17" rims were not a popular size back in the 60, 70, 80. Even small bikes like the Tiger Cub were on 18"s.
17"s didn't really come in until the sports bikes and racers stated to use them. The 17" rear rim on the Wing was anomaly due to the size and weight necessitating a 4.5" tyre.
By the way, that rear rim has been used on the front by some custom builders. It's a 2.50 which is a bit of a sqeeze in the GL1000 forks.
17"s didn't really come in until the sports bikes and racers stated to use them. The 17" rear rim on the Wing was anomaly due to the size and weight necessitating a 4.5" tyre.
By the way, that rear rim has been used on the front by some custom builders. It's a 2.50 which is a bit of a sqeeze in the GL1000 forks.
"Impossible Is Just a Level of Difficulty!..."
If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!
If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!

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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Thank you Old Fogey
I was not aware of that
So to get a 40 spoke 17" rim I am looking at a new item
Many Thanks
Mark
I was not aware of that
So to get a 40 spoke 17" rim I am looking at a new item
Many Thanks
Mark
- Oldboy
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
I run a 16 X 3 Harley Davidson chrome spoke rims front and back on my 1100. They are laced to gl1000 hubs. Front tire 130 90 16 rear tire 140 90 16. It can be done.
Cheers...
Just Wing-it
Just Wing-it
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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- Lead Member
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Great info guys, thank you
Would you have a picture of your 16" front and rear setup Oldboy?
Would you have a picture of your 16" front and rear setup Oldboy?
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Is anyone able to confirm the use of a rear rim laced to the front hub?
Cheers
Mark
Cheers
Mark
- Fred Camper
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Re: 17" spoked front wheel
Pretty sure Octane did that and documented the lace.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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