Kawi2strokes.com Forum

I just received a set of front spokes. They are different from the originals. The originals are 3.5 mm diameter with 4.0 mm diameter near each end. The new ones are all one diameter = 3.5mm for the entire length. Length and bend look fine. They don't fit in the holes in the hub very nicely (too loose). I am concerned about building the wheel with these spokes.

I have contacted the seller. I just wanted to get some more opinions. Perhaps several of you will tell me "that's the way it is and it will be just fine". Or not.

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

hey kevin i would think the hole size in the hub would determine the shoulder dia of the spoke and the nipple would be the whole size in the rim,
i think they are differing sizes on either side of the rear hub.
they do make different size nipples to suit the different aplications.
i have 8mm on the rear and 6mm on the front hole size in the rim.
not sure if that helps or not

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she will never be pretty but she is a fun ride.

73 KAWASAKI H1 (Sold).
82 YAMAHA RD350LC
2000 KAWI KDX200H
2001 Triumph TT600

i feel you have the wrong spokes , as when I did mine the new ones were stepped as originals , go for S/ steel as mine have started to loose there sheen after a few yrs , I think step is to stop breaking at hub , urs Al

The swaged/double butted spokes are stronger by design. Personally I would prefer the double butted. The fact that the nipples are loose is a problem......is the body diameter of the nipple the same? I think your right in not lacing them up until someone who is expert can chime in.

Thanks for the responses. I posted this question as soon as I got these spokes in the mail. After some consideration and research the only conclusion is that they are wrong. I will not be able to use them.

Looking for spokes . . .

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

I built alloy wheels for my H2 - 2.15 front, and 3.50 rear. The spokes are single thickness, 3.5mm front and 4.00mm rear and the fit is not particularly tight in the holes. Never broke a spoke or had any problems, and I used to race that bike! I'd go with them - the wheel build and alignment will be the important factor, but I think the spokes themselves will be fine! Hope this helps, rather than confuses.......!

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"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.

Rod - it helps a little that someone has done this without problems. Right now I will try to get the double butt spokes if I can. Reproduction Decals has been out of stock on theirs for several months. They don't seem to know when they will have them. I don't want to pay the Buchanan price right now.

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

I don't have the proper spokes yet so I did a loose build (not fully tightened and trued) of the front wheel. The spokes fit very badly in the hub and the nipples are too small for the holes in the rim. Very shoddy looking to me.

Here are a couple of photos of the poor fit at the hub.

In this photo you can easily see the gap in the hole due to the undersized spoke diameter. Even the head size is too small


Looking at a side view you can see the fit up is pretty bad. Nothing lays correctly.


I did this build just to see if I could live with it. Answer: I can not live with this. I have standards - not many, but I have them.

I am still looking for front spokes and have not heard back from Reproduction Decals. When they have them they are nice and the price is pretty good. I may have to break down and pay a lot more from another source. Any suggestions on affordable sources for spokes?

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

That is very interesting - my spokes are similar for fit, but the heads on mine are are beefier looking. I originally built my wheels in the early '80's, and did a few seasons on the track, and on the street. All this with a dual disc set-up! At least the nipples on mine are a good fit, but you have given me something to think about......!! Looks like E-bay - 'Kawasaki H2 SPOKES'!

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"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.

What part number are you looking for?
I have a few misc spokes and can check if I have what you need.