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17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:28 pm
by ducinthebay
There is another way to convert to 17" wheels.
Send your wheels to Kosman and have them weld on new flanges.
http://www.kosman.net/weldup.htm
If you click on the weldup form, it plainly states that you can change the diameter.
Not cheap, but if you love the look of the stock wheels and have some nice brakes already, its an easy swap. Just take off your wheels, clean them up, remove the bearings, and send them off. When they get back, put in new bearings, mount your new 17" tires and go for a ride.
Weldups have been around for a long time. In the early days of Superbike racing, it was the hot set up to get wider rims on the the stock wheels.
Sun used to it also, and I'm sure there are other companies that do it.
$425 per wheel, plus $70 for diameter increase. Not cheap, but the fastest and easiest solution. You'll be the only one on the block.
Cheers,
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:42 pm
by englishstiv
When I watch programmes like Orange County Choppers build a bike I often wonder what it would cost to get a wheel made up to fit especially when you see the various types that they can make. it isn't a problem for me with a 907ie but I really fancy getting one of those cheap 750's that seem to appear so regular in the UK. Any one ever thought of getting a block price for say twenty sets? There are plenty of companies world wide doing it.
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:12 pm
by higgy
Ya got me thinking Phil,this could be an answer to the 16 inch dilemma. Not the 1000+ dollar option I do think you hit on an idea worth checking out

Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:01 am
by persempre907
Good for us of EU countries for the Euro/$ ratio, but shipment and customs will raise the price too much.
Nobody know for a such work in the EU???
I also am thinking about a good Paso 750....
Ciao
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:13 am
by Finnpaso
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:30 am
by paso750
When I watch programmes like Orange County Choppers build a bike I often wonder what it would cost to get a wheel made up to fit especially when you see the various types that they can make.
they sell their own rims on their website for $3.900 a pair - ouch.
Seeing this and knowing what machine time can cost I`d guess you won`t find anything cheaper than 2.500 and that`s just guessing.
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:28 pm
by higgy
I'm thinking the hardest issue to deal with in this sort of conversion would be finding someone with a lathe large enough to handle an 18 inch diameter and willing to do this sort of thing. Donor wheels are not that expensive. There are a lot of good aluminium welders around. I don't think it would be that big a deal to flatten the flanges on a set of 16 inch wheels to accept the parted off 17 inch flanges from a set of donor wheels.If done properly to a good press on fit welding would just be iceing on the cake making a good strong and durable wheel . It would also eliminate the need for replacing brakes and front and rear suspensions components to get a good fit. You would still have the clearance issues with fenders and swingarm and the like but maybe not to the extent of other kinds of 17 inch conversions. So what do you think,all input will be appreciated

Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:58 pm
by persempre907
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:09 pm
by Finnpaso
JUST EXACT RIGHT WAY !!!!!

Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:28 pm
by persempre907
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:14 pm
by englishstiv
Why get them built in the states or any where else expensive how about sending the specs to this lot - I am happy to deal - don't need them as such but if there is a chance of sorting it as a fellow fan/paso owner/site user as with my last effort with the mirrors I am happy to oblige if time allows.
for example this lot found on a quick search.............................
Business Profile
Manufacturer and supplier of aluminum motorcycle rims, motorcycle wheel rims, aluminum alloy motorcycle rims, aluminum alloy rims, wheel rims, aluminium rims, motorcycle alloy wheels and alloy rims.
Contact Details
Yangyuan Industrial Xinzhuang Park
City : Suzhou -215 562
Country : China
Phone :+(86)-(512)-55180186/55180186
Mobile: +(86)-13606264378
What if we ask them to build 20 front and 20 rear wheels at cost with postage to the spec required I am sure they could use the same tooling for all their wheel builds and like the custom guys alter to suit.
Infact the more I think about it the more I like the profits to be made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:36 pm
by englishstiv
Guys I have sent an enquiry ------ watch this space???????

Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:42 pm
by Finnpaso
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:47 pm
by jcslocum
ducinthebay wrote:There is another way to convert to 17" wheels.
Send your wheels to Kosman and have them weld on new flanges.
http://www.kosman.net/weldup.htm
If you click on the weldup form, it plainly states that you can change the diameter.
Not cheap, but if you love the look of the stock wheels and have some nice brakes already, its an easy swap. Just take off your wheels, clean them up, remove the bearings, and send them off. When they get back, put in new bearings, mount your new 17" tires and go for a ride.
Weldups have been around for a long time. In the early days of Superbike racing, it was the hot set up to get wider rims on the the stock wheels.
Sun used to it also, and I'm sure there are other companies that do it.
$425 per wheel, plus $70 for diameter increase. Not cheap, but the fastest and easiest solution. You'll be the only one on the block.
Cheers,
This looks to be an excellent solution! Just buy and extra set of 16" wheels and have then converted.
Re: 17" conversion - Weldup
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:03 pm
by higgy
Kosman is way too expensive right up there with $800 mirrors
I don't see any reason why it should cost more than $150 or so a wheel especially with the donor wheel option.More if you have to buy or make flanges At least for alumium wheels Mags and composites are another story.