Honda VF400 spoke conversion?

[Innamorata 750]

Honda used an enclosed disc brake on some of their bikes (including the VF400). I have seen these that have been converted to spokes, and would like to use one on my Triumph. Any idea how they've been converted?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

[bigbike-r]

I know this is an old thread, but saves me making a new one to ask. ive looked into the laced wheels and i can find nothing
do you have any pictures of one of these wheels laced up? - obviously a rim for a laced wheel will be used but other than drilling around the hub to make points for the spokes - i see no way

 

[spotty]

also leaves the question.....WHY? they were universally regarded as a crap brake that overheated at the drop of a hat and were a right pain in the arse to maintain (wheel out etc to change pads and allow at least an hour for the job)

this isn't just idle speculation, i used to work in a secondhand bike shop in the 80s and i don't think i ever heard the mechanic swear that long or loud at any other bike, and he was good at swearing too.

another way of looking at it is.....how many bikes are still using this system?

incidentally they ripped the idea off Lambretta who hold the record for the first disc brake fitted to a two wheeled vehicle (1962 i think - TV200/GT200) lambretta had a lot less problems as they were dealing with much lower speeds/weights/braking forces

 

[bigbike-r]

also leaves the question.....WHY?because I want to? they were universally regarded as a crap brake that overheated at the drop of a hat by the majority, but properley maintained were adequateand were a right pain in the arse to maintain (wheel out etc to change pads and allow at least an hour for the job)given yes, they a re a pain when compared with fork mounted callipers that only require two bolts.... an hour, no way. wheel off and cover open in an extra 10 ...15 max minutes

this isn't just idle speculation, i used to work in a secondhand bike shop in the 80s and i don't think i ever heard the mechanic swear that long or loud at any other bike, and he was good at swearing too.

another way of looking at it is.....how many bikes are still using this system?this appeals to me, theyre different

incidentally they ripped the idea off Lambretta who hold the record for the first disc brake fitted to a two wheeled vehicle (1962 i think - TV200/GT200) lambretta had a lot less problems as they were dealing with much lower speeds/weights/braking forces

OK yes theyre not a good wheel or brake choice, there are much better options on the market, however I have a set of these wheels in the shed and a desire to spend little to no money on the build they are on. it will never be used for lengthy trips, just a quick 'get me round'

quick edit to say, reading back that comes off as a bit of a 'know it all' kind of reply - which it isnt so i hope no offence caused -

 

[spotty]

no worries mate, if anything my post could be construed as a bit smartarse or know-it-all

can't think of a better reason for using any set of wheels/brakes, my vmax copped a set of GSXR calipers cos i had them in the shed, i had to make brackets to make them fit, rather than buying a set of R1 calipers that would have just fitted straight on

in fact if you look just to the left you'll see a pic of those very calipers and brackets

after all how else are we going to afford bikes AND beer?

on a more practical note, the only way i can see the honda hubs being laced to spoke rims would be to have rings made that the comstar spoke bolt holes line up with and then have 'normal' spoke holes outside of those mounting holes. i don't think you could just drill the outer edges of the hubs as at some point the mounting bolt holes for the comstar spokes is going to co-incide with where you want to put the normal spoke holes (if that makes sense)

 

[Kamn]

If you are looking to use the original hub, then yes with making rings for spokes that bolt to the hub. Remove the rim from the hub by breaking the bolts, I did it to my CX which has comstars and its basically the same thing

Here are a couple of pics

 

[spotty]

yep, just like that but much bigger rings and much shorter spokes

incidentally did honda ever sell sockets that fit the very oddly shaped bolts they used to attach constars?

 

[bigbike-r]

now there is an idea -- ive not looked at the bolt size on the wheels yet. if i cant find a spanner or socket ill weld a 10mm bolt head to the top ;D

 

[spotty]

from memory, they're sort of ovally/trianglish, i assume honda did it that way to stop people fixing them themselves when they got bent from a crash or something, i know thats what stopped me building one good set from the 3 mildly knackered sets (CB1100R ones i think) i bought years ago, ended up chucking the lot

edit - just looked up 'comstar bolts' on google and found these guys, they may be able to help, seem to have had the same idea

http://hooniverse.com/2011/05/10/two-wheel-tuesday-the-curse-of-the-comstars/

 

[bigbike-r]

yep the bolts are a triangular oval shape - not made from the toughest of steel....
an 11mm socket goes over them with some persuasion from a hammer.
the rivettsi tried drilling but still couldnt budge them so cut them off


et voilla - a set of inboard hubs

 

[bigbike-r]

thanks for the link to the site - isnt it a funny old world, honda made comstars to move away from the spoked wheels, now people want to modify them into spoked wheels ;D

 

[spotty]

just goes to show soichiro and the boys weren't infallible, oh hang on the valve gear on early VF750s proved that heeheeheehee

 

[Bert Jan]

If you are looking to use the original hub, then yes with making rings for spokes that bolt to the hub. Remove the rim from the hub by breaking the bolts, I did it to my CX which has comstars and its basically the same thing

Here are a couple of pics

fucking awesome!