Re-Drilling Hub Flange?

SloMo228 · 10-25-2012, 03:03 PM

Is it possible to have a spoked wheel hub welded (i.e., closing up all the original holes) and re-drilled for a different number of spokes? If so, any idea what something like that would cost? I have a line on a spoked hub for my project bike but it's a 52-hole hub

There's not much selection in rims for that many holes, and those that are available are ultra-heavy chromed-out Harley chopper rims. Not really what I'm looking for.

sailah · 10-25-2012, 05:29 PM

What kind of project bike?

I'd be nervous drilling and welding on a hub. I think you would be better served spending some cash and getting one custom made.

Something like this?

http://www.aaracing.com/DT_Hubs.aspx

Or there are some decent candidates in 36 hole variety just depends on what you are using it for. Front rear?

SloMo228 · 10-25-2012, 05:45 PM

The problem is it's for a shaft-drive CX650, so I'm kinda stuck with the hub since it needs the drive flange. I suppose I could have one custom made, but I imagine the machining for something like that would be more than the cost of every motorcycle I've ever owned.

I have found a couple places that make custom rims, the cost on the rim is more reasonable, so maybe I'll go in that direction instead. I don't want an unsafe wheel.

lesman · 10-27-2012, 06:42 PM

There is a guy who built a cx500 adventure bike. He was in East Texas. He did what you trying to accomplish.
Try Two Wheel Texans Website.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46633
Check down to about the 10th post

Les

anonny · 10-27-2012, 08:26 PM

Thats a tough one, I bet it would be pretty pricey to do and I think it would make me a tad nervous every time it got rode further than a few miles from home.

What are you trying to do, change the rim size? Woodys Wheels may be of some help here. http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/

SloMo228 · 10-27-2012, 08:37 PM

Yeah, the CX650 uses a unique final drive, it's not the same as the 500s, unfortunately. If it were, I'd just use the Comstars as I really like those wheels. I'm trying to get a different size rear wheel since the 650 comes with a 15" rear for some dumb reason. I want at least a 16" rear, preferably a 17" or 18". The spoked rear might be the only way to do that, there is a spoked rear that fits the 650's odd drive flange available on one year of the Honda VT800, but it's a 52-spoke wheel, which means that most of the common rims are out.

I think the best bet if I do end up going with the spoked rear is to have a custom rim made from Buchanan's and lace it to the VT800 hub. I wasn't sure if redrilling the hub flanges was a common thing or not, since I don't have any experience with spoked wheels on motorcycles. Bicycles, sure, but there's a big difference between the two.

Kai Ju · 10-27-2012, 08:46 PM

From what I hear he can do just about anything with wheels. Give him a shout.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=woody

Farmer John · 10-28-2012, 08:48 AM

If you use a CX650 Turbo rear wheel it will fit the Custom final drive, but you will need to fab up a rear brake system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Honda-c...c5e71a&vxp=mtr

cedric · 10-28-2012, 08:27 PM

Probably a little more extreme than you were thinking, but what about a chain drive conversion?

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...wendell-jones/

Don't know if it would be possible/feasible to have some sort of chain drive conversion done with the engine mounted transversely (stock arrangement). This one uses a jackshaft with some sort of 90 degree gear set:

http://www.ratbike.org/pages/08soe25.htm

Donkey Hotey · 10-28-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloMo228

Is it possible to have a spoked wheel hub welded (i.e., closing up all the original holes) and re-drilled for a different number of spokes? If so, any idea what something like that would cost? I have a line on a spoked hub for my project bike but it's a 52-hole hub

There's not much selection in rims for that many holes, and those that are available are ultra-heavy chromed-out Harley chopper rims. Not really what I'm looking for.

Possible? Sure, anything is possible. Advisable? Hell no. As already posted, the metallurgy of the hub is unknown and if it's cast (very likely) welding to it will be sketchy. *I* wouldn't ride it.

A custom billet hub is really the only answer if you can't work with the existing number of spokes. The shaft drive interface should not be a huge deal. They would have to bore holes into the hub to mate up to your stock cush drive. Make some rubber or soft polyurethane bushings and Bob's your uncle.

Of course somebody has to design it and--realistically--the hub alone will probably cost around a grand to have made.

michael1968 · 10-29-2012, 06:52 PM

I'm pretty sure a good wheel shop would be able to drill a 52 hole rim for you. You can order some rims blank, without the dimples for the spokes.

sailah · 10-30-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael1968

I'm pretty sure a good wheel shop would be able to drill a 52 hole rim for you. You can order some rims blank, without the dimples for the spokes.

Buchanans can easily drill that rim for you, those guys are pros. It's probably the cheapest solution out there.

Kai Ju · 10-30-2012, 12:18 PM

The Final Driven Flange bolted to the wheel on all the CX500/CX650 except the turbo.
The Final Driven Flange rivets, and has been bolted, to BMW wheels.
With some careful comparison and measuring you might be able to bolt that Final Driven Flange to an existing shaft drive hub that has the number of spokes you're looking for.

SloMo228 · 10-30-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kai Ju

The Final Driven Flange bolted to the wheel on all the CX500/CX650 except the turbo.
The Final Driven Flange rivets, and has been bolted, to BMW wheels.
With some careful comparison and measuring you might be able to bolt that Final Driven Flange to an existing shaft drive wheel that has the number of spokes you're looking for.

Thanks for this info. I have been considering trying to get a CX500 wheel and seeing if I can swap the drive flange from the 650 wheel over it. That would be my cheapest solution, so I think I'm going to give it a shot. Otherwise, I think I'll have Buchanan's make me a 52-spoke hub and have it laced up with the correct offset. Then, at least I could have a matching front wheel and choose a rear rim size to maximize my tire choices.

RedRaptor22 · 10-30-2012, 08:02 PM

Crazy Idea here and may not be possible, but what about just leaving some empty holes on the hub and use a lower hole count wheel?

I would have to have one here to look at so I really can't do the figuring in my head, but it may be possible to just skip a hole every few spokes?

10-25-2012, 03:03 PM	#1
SloMo228 ^OP World Class Cheapass Joined: Sep 2012 Location: SE Michigan Oddometer: 258	Re-Drilling Hub Flange? Is it possible to have a spoked wheel hub welded (i.e., closing up all the original holes) and re-drilled for a different number of spokes? If so, any idea what something like that would cost? I have a line on a spoked hub for my project bike but it's a 52-hole hub There's not much selection in rims for that many holes, and those that are available are ultra-heavy chromed-out Harley chopper rims. Not really what I'm looking for. __________________ - Steve GL1000 x2 GL1500 DR350

10-25-2012, 05:29 PM	#2
sailah Lampin' it Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Turning expensive metal into scrap Oddometer: 4,150	What kind of project bike? I'd be nervous drilling and welding on a hub. I think you would be better served spending some cash and getting one custom made. Something like this? http://www.aaracing.com/DT_Hubs.aspx Or there are some decent candidates in 36 hole variety just depends on what you are using it for. Front rear? __________________ We're not out here to rough it. We're here to smooth it . Things are rough enough in town. Nessmuk

10-25-2012, 05:45 PM	#3
SloMo228 ^OP World Class Cheapass Joined: Sep 2012 Location: SE Michigan Oddometer: 258	The problem is it's for a shaft-drive CX650, so I'm kinda stuck with the hub since it needs the drive flange. I suppose I could have one custom made, but I imagine the machining for something like that would be more than the cost of every motorcycle I've ever owned. I have found a couple places that make custom rims, the cost on the rim is more reasonable, so maybe I'll go in that direction instead. I don't want an unsafe wheel. __________________ - Steve GL1000 x2 GL1500 DR350

10-27-2012, 06:42 PM	#4
lesman Live easy, Brake Hard Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Oddometer: 400	There is a guy who built a cx500 adventure bike. He was in East Texas. He did what you trying to accomplish. Try Two Wheel Texans Website. http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46633 Check down to about the 10th post Les __________________ Obsessive compulsiveness always trumps good sense. lesman screwed with this post 10-27-2012 at 06:54 PM

10-27-2012, 08:26 PM	#5
anonny What could go wrong? Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Beautiful Revelstoke BC Oddometer: 4,960	Thats a tough one, I bet it would be pretty pricey to do and I think it would make me a tad nervous every time it got rode further than a few miles from home. What are you trying to do, change the rim size? Woodys Wheels may be of some help here. http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/ __________________ Kawasaki H1 build thread 71- 450 Honda CL re & re Just another pathetic sheep following the herd

10-27-2012, 08:37 PM	#6
SloMo228 ^OP World Class Cheapass Joined: Sep 2012 Location: SE Michigan Oddometer: 258	Yeah, the CX650 uses a unique final drive, it's not the same as the 500s, unfortunately. If it were, I'd just use the Comstars as I really like those wheels. I'm trying to get a different size rear wheel since the 650 comes with a 15" rear for some dumb reason. I want at least a 16" rear, preferably a 17" or 18". The spoked rear might be the only way to do that, there is a spoked rear that fits the 650's odd drive flange available on one year of the Honda VT800, but it's a 52-spoke wheel, which means that most of the common rims are out. I think the best bet if I do end up going with the spoked rear is to have a custom rim made from Buchanan's and lace it to the VT800 hub. I wasn't sure if redrilling the hub flanges was a common thing or not, since I don't have any experience with spoked wheels on motorcycles. Bicycles, sure, but there's a big difference between the two. __________________ - Steve GL1000 x2 GL1500 DR350

10-27-2012, 08:46 PM	#7
Kai Ju Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Oddometer: 1,025	Woody From what I hear he can do just about anything with wheels. Give him a shout. http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=woody

10-28-2012, 08:48 AM	#8
Farmer John n00b Joined: Jan 2005 Oddometer: 8	If you use a CX650 Turbo rear wheel it will fit the Custom final drive, but you will need to fab up a rear brake system. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Honda-c...c5e71a&vxp=mtr

10-28-2012, 08:27 PM	#9
cedric Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Calgary Oddometer: 160	Probably a little more extreme than you were thinking, but what about a chain drive conversion? http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...wendell-jones/ Don't know if it would be possible/feasible to have some sort of chain drive conversion done with the engine mounted transversely (stock arrangement). This one uses a jackshaft with some sort of 90 degree gear set: http://www.ratbike.org/pages/08soe25.htm __________________ <equipment_list>Insert a list of the crap you own here</equipment_list> cedric screwed with this post 10-28-2012 at 08:33 PM

10-29-2012, 06:52 PM	#11
michael1968 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Oddometer: 336	I'm pretty sure a good wheel shop would be able to drill a 52 hole rim for you. You can order some rims blank, without the dimples for the spokes. __________________ http://rallyraid.weebly.com/

10-30-2012, 12:18 PM	#13
Kai Ju Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Oddometer: 1,025	Final Driven Flange The Final Driven Flange bolted to the wheel on all the CX500/CX650 except the turbo. The Final Driven Flange rivets, and has been bolted, to BMW wheels. With some careful comparison and measuring you might be able to bolt that Final Driven Flange to an existing shaft drive hub that has the number of spokes you're looking for. Kai Ju screwed with this post 11-01-2012 at 07:32 PM

10-30-2012, 08:02 PM	#15
RedRaptor22 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2012 Location: Louisiana Oddometer: 133	Crazy Idea here and may not be possible, but what about just leaving some empty holes on the hub and use a lower hole count wheel? I would have to have one here to look at so I really can't do the figuring in my head, but it may be possible to just skip a hole every few spokes?

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