Spoke Question

[Joe Nardy]

I'm looking for spokes for a '78 GS1000 front wheel. They are discontinued by Suzuki and not available. However, spokes for a '78 GS750 are available. I know the GS750 had steel rims while the GS1000 had aluminum rims but I believe the hubs are the same. If so, shouldn't the GS750 spokes work with the GS1000 wheel. Both rims are 19 inches.

Also, I measured my spokes, they are 190mm from the middle of the hub flange to the top of the dimple on the rim. There is roughly 6mm from the top of the rim dimple to the bottom of the spoke nipple so I would guess the spoke length would be around 194mm. Unless the steel rims are much thinner/thicker or have a significantly different drop center I would think the GS750 spokes would work just fine.

If anyone happens to have a 19" GS front wheel or spokes laying around and could take some measurements I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[tkent02]

I have both wheels to look at…….

 

[Joe Nardy]

I have both wheels to look at??.

Thanks! That would be a great help.

Joe

 

[Joe Nardy]

Tom presented another good point, the wire size. My spokes measure about 3.16mm in diameter.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Joe Nardy]

Mr. Wazz was kind enough to take measurements from his '77 GS750. The measurements appear to be nearly identical to the measurements I took from the '78 GS1000 wheel, including the spoke wire diameter. I verified that the hubs are the same part number between the two. I went ahead and ordered the '77 GS750 spokes. I will post up when I receive them and compare to the GS1000 spokes.

 

[Sandy]

Joe, I'd like to how that works out. I've got a set of rear spokes and should pick up some fronts for my parts stash.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Joe, I'd like to how that works out. I've got a set of rear spokes and should pick up some fronts for my parts stash.

Sandy,

Will do. I'll post results here once the parts arrive.

Joe

 

[FLHGSRay]

How much are these? I ask because I found out SS spokes from Buchanan weren't any more than chromed steel from the dealer.

 

[bwringer]

How much are these? I ask because I found out SS spokes from Buchanan weren't any more than chromed steel from the dealer.

Sort of what I was wondering, too -- are you going for an excruciatingly correct Suzuki-factory-parts-only sort of thing here, Joe?

 

[Big T]

Ray and Sandy

Some members have suggested that the Yamaha XS 650 uses the same spokes and that you can get them from MikesXS

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-56.html#products

I see that he offers plated and SS versions

He also has rims at a great price, it seems

Shoot him an email

(Ray, I have no affiliation with Mike)

 

[FLHGSRay]

The only thing about buying custom is that they will likely have to be trimmed to length after installation. Not a big deal with a Dremil. Buchanan supplied spokes for my cl350. They were very helpful with making sure the length was right. Top quality.

 

[Joe Nardy]

How much are these? I ask because I found out SS spokes from Buchanan weren't any more than chromed steel from the dealer.

Front spoke set for '78 GS750, part number 55320-45000 - $53.66 from Boulevard Suzuki. $7.50 shipping.

Buchanan's does not list prices for GS spoke kits (no longer pre-packaged) but Kawasaki KZ kits range from $104 to $115 so I'd guess GS pries would be around the same.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[FLHGSRay]

When I priced stock spokes for the Honda from the dealer, they were like $4 each. That's times 72. Ouch.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Ray and Sandy

Some members have suggested that the Yamaha XS 650 uses the same spokes and that you can get them from MikesXS

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-56.html#products

I see that he offers plated and SS versions

He also has rims at a great price, it seems

Shoot him an email

(Ray, I have no affiliation with Mike)

I measured the GS spokes, checked with Mike's and asked if they had anything similar. They said the closest was a set for a 64 spoke Heritage Special. However, the description for the spokes said there were two different lengths each for outer and inner spokes. The GS wheel has 36 spokes so I would need to use two each inner and outer of different lengths. I replied to them and asked how much the difference in length was but haven't heard back from them yet.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Sandy]

Well that would be handy because I want order the emulators for the XS650 as I have adapters to fit them to my GS that Bluewool kindly set me.

Ray and Sandy

Some members have suggested that the Yamaha XS 650 uses the same spokes and that you can get them from MikesXS

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-56.html#products

I see that he offers plated and SS versions

He also has rims at a great price, it seems

Shoot him an email

(Ray, I have no affiliation with Mike)

 

[Joe Nardy]

I measured the GS spokes, checked with Mike's and asked if they had anything similar. They said the closest was a set for a 64 spoke Heritage Special. However, the description for the spokes said there were two different lengths each for outer and inner spokes. The GS wheel has 36 spokes so I would need to use two each inner and outer of different lengths. I replied to them and asked how much the difference in length was but haven't heard back from them yet.

Thanks,
Joe

Here's the reply from Mike's XS about the 64 spoke wheel kit lengths: Thanks,
Joe

[FONT=&quot]Ok 1st of the inners is 7 ? inches long the 2nd inner is 7 ? inches long. The 1st outer is 7 3/8 inches and the 2nd is 7 5/8 inches long they are all within ? of an inch of each other (that?s total length included threads). You have enough threads to adjust in up to ? inch on each spoke.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

Thanks,
Joe
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

 

[Joe Nardy]

Okay, the spoke kits for a '78 GS750 arrived today. Comparing them to the original '78 GS1000 spokes they are a bit different but I think they will work fine. First, they are slightly longer but it looks like they are not too long to use without cutting them down. Second, the nipples are shorter and have Phillips shaped openings in the bottom while the originals hex straight slots. I have removed and replaced a couple spokes and it appears the new ones thread about two additional turns compared to the originals to attain the same (by sound) spoke tightness. The only slight downside is that the original nipples completely cover the spoke threads while the new ones leave a couple threads exposed, no big deal in my opinion. The wire sizes are identical, 3.18mm for the narrow section, 4.00mm for the thick section.

Can you spot the one new spoke?

Shiny spoke front wheel coming up!

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Joe Nardy]

I think I am going to classify this project as a success.....

Before:

After:

And, as usual, pictures don't do it justice.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[GSX1000E]

"BLING!" (morecharacters)

 

[steve murdoch]

Thanks for nothing, Joe.
I thought the wheels on my '78 were nice, now i see i have a ton of polishing in my future.