Hi Chaps, Chapesses, no radials are available in the 150/90/15 size fitted to the back of VMaxen, :o( so I'm contemplating emptying my wallet and getting a conversion for the rear wheel to a 17" or 18" so I can run more modern (i.e. radial) tyres - a popular mod I believe? Has anyone on the group tried this on a "take it to the local engineering works / machine shop" basis, rather than sending it all off to a VMax specialist and paying out £1000? I'd be interested to hear of any pitfalls along the way, but I guess it involves: Taking a VMax rear wheel and machining the rim and spokes off; taking the replacement wheel and machining out the original hub; aligning 'em and tacking into place, then checking runout on a spindle with DTI gauges etc; making the final TIG welds to attach the two; checking again; cursing and starting over ;o) I'd guess that due to the size of the VMax hub and cushdrive, most superbike wheels would be suitable, the majority of hubs seem substantially smaller! Locally, there's a fella with his VMax's wheels converted - Thundercat front (with a little machining for clearances etc), Thundercat rim and spokes on the VMax hub rear. I guess that the accuracy of the alignment is pretty critical, but I've seen new stock wheels on bikes that had as much as .075" runout both radially and laterally (and occasionally more....), and the bikes seemed to handle OK.... in the past I've build trad wire-spoked wheels, and I've always aimed for a max of .020" runout, and the wheels have felt smooth, no vibration, compared to badly tensioned spoked wheels - and I guess that balance would be pretty important (ain't it always?) Any thoughts welcome, Dave H. (The engineer formerly known as Homeless)
