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omalley
10/26/2017 5:27am
10/26/2017 5:27am
I’m almost done with my CR250 build (02). I realized while checking the wheels that the spokes are in sad shape (all seized to the nipples, several with vice grip marks from the PO apparently trying to “fix” the problem...
I would love to just buy spokes, as the rims are in great shape as are the hubs.
Brands I’ve been looking at are:
Excel
Buchanan
Tusk
Pro-wheel
It looks like the Excels and Buchanans may require drilling of the hub and/or rim, and I saw that some folks had issues with the length of the excels on a stock rim.
Tusk is obviously a less expensive OE replacement although they are stainless, and RMATV only seemed to have fronts that I could find.
Pro-Wheel looked to have mixed reviews.
OE Honda are about 3-4.00/spoke with nipples so not cost effective for what you get.
Any recommendations? I had excel spokes/nipples/rims on my KX450, and they seemed decent. If I have to buy rims I will but I’d sure like to avoid it (this bike has already a lot of “as long as I’m in there” $$$)...
Thanks!
I would love to just buy spokes, as the rims are in great shape as are the hubs.
Brands I’ve been looking at are:
Excel
Buchanan
Tusk
Pro-wheel
It looks like the Excels and Buchanans may require drilling of the hub and/or rim, and I saw that some folks had issues with the length of the excels on a stock rim.
Tusk is obviously a less expensive OE replacement although they are stainless, and RMATV only seemed to have fronts that I could find.
Pro-Wheel looked to have mixed reviews.
OE Honda are about 3-4.00/spoke with nipples so not cost effective for what you get.
Any recommendations? I had excel spokes/nipples/rims on my KX450, and they seemed decent. If I have to buy rims I will but I’d sure like to avoid it (this bike has already a lot of “as long as I’m in there” $$$)...
Thanks!
Another option is just sending the parts to someone good like FasterUSA and have them built up.
None of the Excel spoke/nipple kits will require you to drill out your stock OE hub. For your 2002 CR250, the front Excel spoke/nipple kit will require you to drill the stock front OE rim's nipple hole diameter to an 8.5mm as majority of our Excel rims come with the 8.5mm nipple hole diameter. From a quick search, it appears your stock OE front Honda DID rim is an 8.0mm.
The rear Excel spoke/nipple kit will work like a charm on the stock OE rim.
If you went through Buchanan's, they can provide you with the correct nipples and spokes to fit your stock OE rims and hubs. You will just need to confirm the nipple hole diameter and give that information to Buchanan's. They're an awesome company to go through for you wheel restoration needs.
- Cole
The Shop
Thank you to everyone else as well. I appreciate all the info.
Bulldog spokes are a product of Central Wheel located in the UK.
That being said, those two along with Excel are all top quality, and you can't go wrong with any of those three.
Exactly like what BobPA said, you don't need much to enlarge the holes.
Our Excel rims are drilled to 8.5mm hole diameter. The Excel Spline nipple's body diameter is 8.30mm. The nipple body is the part between the butt of the nipple and the wrench contact point of the nipple.
For my personal preference, I would use the step drill bit but standard bit should be fine.
- Cole
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