Front end swap – Have I got the right wheel?
 

I’ve collected almost all the parts I need for a front end swap based on 929/954 parts: Fork legs, spindle, rotors, triple tree, clip-ons (Convertibars, no less), calipers – and a wheel. The wheel was described by the ebay seller as coming off a 929/954 fireblade – his track bike. When I got it, everything seemed OK, and I left it in the garage while I spent the next few weeks shovelling snow and shopping for Christmas. A few days ago, I got it out again to check against the rotors and spindle. That’s when I discovered that the 25 mm spindle wouldn’t go in – the hole is 20 mm. Bummer. What to do? Skipping the discussion on what to do with the seller, I’d like to get on working with what I’ve got. What I hope you guys can help me with is this:

- Is this actually a 929/954 rim?
- If it is, can I replace the bearings, dustseals and sleeve with 9xx 25mm parts and I’m good to go?

It sure looks like a 929/954 rim. It’s 17x3.50, and the bolt pattern for the rotors fit. It’s got “54S” stamped on one of the spokes. Does that ring a bell with anyone? The width across the hub is 147mm . Sound familiar? So what kind of wheel is this, anyway? A 929/954 wheel made to fit some odd fork? From a Hornet maybe?

OK, assuming this is a 9xx wheel in need of new balls, is there anything special I need to know about replacing the bearings? Is there any point in not getting OEM parts? I’ll be needing the rotor bolts anyway, where I figured I’d go OEM.

On the subject of front end swap: Has anyone tried to make the original Superhawk fender fit a 9xx setup? It seems fairly obvious that it’s not a straight bolt-on, but is it doable at all?

That doesn't quite look right, there should be holes at the ends of the spokes nearest the rim.

I could be wrong, but I recall those being there on the one that I had the option of getting.

edit see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...-/150548199713

edit2 I see others that look like yours though too. So I guess I am wrong. Though those are not a solid hub..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=160520205573

lazn, the 1000RR has holes through the spokes, the 929/954 only have holes on one side, more to allow water too pass through, since they are hollow... But like you said, the hub is hollow too, so that is definetly not the correct wheel...

Most likely it's from a 600 of some variety since they typically have 20 mm axles...

It's likely that with swapped bearings you could mount it, just make sure the rotors match... And by that I don't mean the bolt pattern, but the distance from rotor to rotor that needs to match the fork... So you need to bolt it together and measure...

Well anything is doable if you really want......

The main problem that you would run into is that the protection for the fork sliders is built into the front fender. So even if you could get the old fender to fit you would then need to rig some kind of protectors or your USD forks won't last very long.