ComStar wheels

[theboxrules]

Has anyone tried to disassemble ComStar wheels to clean them? There appears to be a pin driven into the threaded end of the bolts that hold the "spokes" to the hub. There doesn't appear to be a way to remove them aside from them coming out when backing off the nuts. Just curious. Thanks!

 

[hillsy]

Pretty sure I've seen them disassembled on this forum (a CX500 build?) and bolted back together with loctite.

Also PJ mentioned some of the early Comstars had issues with the rivets coming loose ??

 

[teazer]

I thought they were riveted and unable to be rebuilt. I do recall they were a bit of a PIA to clean.

 

[theboxrules]

These wheels on my '78 have bolts through the hub that secure each leg of the "Star" if you will. I'll post up a photo of the nut/pin deal. It would be a helluva lot easier to clean them apart!

 

[forcefanajd]

i did a set a couple years ago, i drilled the rivets out, polished the lip, painted the spokes, and reassembled using loctite and safety wire. the hrc bikes back in the 80s were running comstars which were bolted together so i figured why cant i? just make sure you torque all the bolts to an equal value and loctite and safety wire them as that would make a really shitty day if they came unbolted while riding

 

[crazypj]

Early Comstars had 'stainless' spokes (real cheap, they rusted) and alloy rims.
The spokes loosened at the rivets.
Later ones were all alloy but still riveted at the rim.
All that I have seen have a special 'triangular' nut.
If you take them apart, it would probably be a good idea to use high tensile bolts with plenty of anti seize when you put them back together (to prevent galvanitic corrosion)

 

[theboxrules]

Thanks for the feedback gents. Once I get a chance to throw a few pictures of the nut/pin combo it might make more sense. However, yes, I would have to make sure they are secured very well if I did take them apart. I would suck a mighty one if a bolt farted out while cruising on down the road.