Carrozzeria Wheels vs wire wheels

MAR · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007

I am trying to determine what I want to do about my wheels. The stock wheels are boat anchors. I would think that a 17" front would be more responsive than the stock18". I really have not found a need for a wider rear and am concerned that a wider rear might slow the handling down.
I love the spoke wheel look and am reluctant to go to a mag. However, I really want to get lighter wheels. I have been thinking about those Carrozzeria wheels. They preach a 40% weight savings, which is huge. In addition I suspect there will be better tire availability.

Any thoughts on whether or not the 5.5' rear will slow the bike too much? Will the 17" front compensate for the fat rear? Any advantage with the soon to be released 18" front?
In looking a expense it seems to build new wheels would cost about $1400 with tires with no weight reduction. These Carrozzeria would run about $1900 without tires.

roxythruxton · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007

If you got the cash do it . Don't think it's a 40% savings in weight though . But what it DOES mean is that you can go tubeless . Those are nice wheels but at 1900 bucks ?

Tabletop · #3 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

The 5.5 inch rear tire is too wide for the Thruxton's swingarm, without offsetting the wheel to clear the chain.

I think sweatmachine has a great alternative by using wheels from an SV650: 120 front and 160 rear. I just searched ebay, there's plenty for sale and looks like front and rear could cost as little as $250. There's some machining involved to get them to fit, but the total bill should be less than $1400. Sweat is using the whole front end from an SV650, to improve the front suspension as well as use the SV's twin discs up front. Here's the thread -> http://www.triumphrat.net/bonnie-own...ighlight=SV650

SineQuaNon · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

FYI. There is a set of Carrozzeria wheels on ebay right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Carro...spagenameZWDVW You might be able to save a couple bucks buying them used. Note: I'm not affiliated w/ the seller - I just saw them when doing an ebay search.

MAR · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

Originally Posted by SineQuaNon

FYI. There is a set of Carrozzeria wheels on ebay right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Carro...spagenameZWDVW You might be able to save a couple bucks buying them used. Note: I'm not affiliated w/ the seller - I just saw them when doing an ebay search.

Thanks for the info. I will look into them!

Kurtis · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

I'm following in the footsteps of sweat and fitting something else's wheels.

I looked, as you have, at the carrozerias and a re-spoke to 17's and a slightly wider rear so I could get nicer tyres. The carrozerias were too wide and too pricey. A respoke looked about £500 for front and rear to run 110/150, which are Aprilia 125/250cc race sizes.

So I found a pair of six spoke CBR600 wheels (1994 vintage), sprocket carrier, cush rubbers, bearings, the forks, discs and front axle. A grand total of about £200 so far. It's going to need machining, fork reworking and so-on, and the forks and wheels need repainting, but I have a set of Pirelli Supercorsas for them already. Way cheaper than the carrozerias so far.

Not many wheels will look right though, the SV is good because the spokes are symmetric, so they look the same whichever way they're running, the CBR's are not, but they don't have the modern aerofoil/hollow spoke design, so they look okay.

Now I'm on with the project I wouldn't dream of the carrozerias. Do some engineering, and spend the money on a big bore or something.

MAR · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007

Originally Posted by SineQuaNon

FYI. There is a set of Carrozzeria wheels on ebay right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Carro...spagenameZWDVW You might be able to save a couple bucks buying them used. Note: I'm not affiliated w/ the seller - I just saw them when doing an ebay search.

Sine, thanks, I now have a reasonable priced set of Carrozzeria wheels. I should be getting them this week. I think I am going to ride my existing tires until they need to be replaced and them mount the new wheels.
I spoke with the shop that had these wheels. They mounted them on a Bonnie. The owner rode them for bout 100 miles and didn't like the look. I am not sure about the look myself. however, I am sure i want the 23 pounds of weight savings off the wheels.

Any recommendations on tires? I know a 180 will fit on the back because that was what was on there. I am thinking about a 160 or 170 because i don't think it needs a tire that wide and I don't like losing handling quickness.

rbrian_taylor · #8 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007

MAR, if you decide you don't want them, I am game! Looks like you got a good deal.