Updates on the Honda Shadow VLX Bobber Project
As you all (by all I mean you Connie) saw in a previous post, I finally got my handlebars and was scheduled to do my rear rim next. Well, I had the chance last Friday and got it done. Took me all of 30 minutes if I didn't video it. No I don't have a video DIY for you to watch but trust me. It's really simple do to. Just put things back the way they were before you tore into it and you should be fine. And lastly, double check your brakes before going out for a test ride.
Before I get into pictures, here are the specs to get yourself a 16" rear rim. There are a couple of options.
1) Buy a used Kawasaki VN800 rear wheel.. I hear it works. If you can read Japanese, you can decipher it here: Moto Pirata.
Since I can do neither you can go with step 2 which I opted for:
2) Buy a 2011 Honda Shadow 750RS rear rim from Honda for 120 or so bucks. MAKE SURE ITS A VT750RS RIM. There's a Honda Shadow 750 Black Edition or some shit that still uses the 15" rear rim. Call up Buchanan Spokes in Azusa, CA and have them make some custom spokes for the rim to your hub. Total, it should probably cost you about $300-$350 bucks just for the rim. Then look up any tire you wish to run on your new rim. I opted for a Shinko Classic 240 or some bullshit like that. Size is MT90. Got it on eBay.
I know what some of you are thinking right now. "MT90?? Isn't that a thinner tire than the stock 170/1,000,000-15 tire that comes stock?" Well it sho is. My whole reason for doing the swap was to get rid of that fucking balloon tire in the back. Its a bit squirrel-ly on the freeway when there are those fucking grooves all over the place, otherwise, it rides better than the stock tire. Anyway, here are some cell phone pics because I can't be bothered to use a real camera.
Sportster tank comes next, but it'll have to wait awhile. I'm going to focus on some small (read: cheaper) parts for awhile. Until then, friends.
Before I get into pictures, here are the specs to get yourself a 16" rear rim. There are a couple of options.
1) Buy a used Kawasaki VN800 rear wheel.. I hear it works. If you can read Japanese, you can decipher it here: Moto Pirata.
Since I can do neither you can go with step 2 which I opted for:
2) Buy a 2011 Honda Shadow 750RS rear rim from Honda for 120 or so bucks. MAKE SURE ITS A VT750RS RIM. There's a Honda Shadow 750 Black Edition or some shit that still uses the 15" rear rim. Call up Buchanan Spokes in Azusa, CA and have them make some custom spokes for the rim to your hub. Total, it should probably cost you about $300-$350 bucks just for the rim. Then look up any tire you wish to run on your new rim. I opted for a Shinko Classic 240 or some bullshit like that. Size is MT90. Got it on eBay.
I know what some of you are thinking right now. "MT90?? Isn't that a thinner tire than the stock 170/1,000,000-15 tire that comes stock?" Well it sho is. My whole reason for doing the swap was to get rid of that fucking balloon tire in the back. Its a bit squirrel-ly on the freeway when there are those fucking grooves all over the place, otherwise, it rides better than the stock tire. Anyway, here are some cell phone pics because I can't be bothered to use a real camera.
Sportster tank comes next, but it'll have to wait awhile. I'm going to focus on some small (read: cheaper) parts for awhile. Until then, friends.
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