Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

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rjk40
750 GT
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Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by rjk40 »

Hi All,

Restoring 1975 Ducati 860GT, kick start only, lost track of the old corroded chromed steel spoked rims. Front hub is disc brake 40 spoke, two angles for the 40 spokes, rear hub is drum brake, also 40 spokes, two angles for the 40 spokes.

Would like to know what the best choice of rim is; my only source is the Haynes shop manual, which does not specifically cover the rim size for the 1975 860GT, only shows all having 3.50" wide rims front and rear, with Metzler tires.

Any suggestions will be appreciated. Plans are to send the hubs to Buchanan in Azusa, California and use Excel rims, but am not sure of:
1. Shouldered vs non-shouldered
2. Deep vs shallow dimples
3. Rim width.

Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Richard Kovach
Malabar, Florida
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by BevHevSteve »

Hi Richard,

2.15 x 18 front and back
or
2.15 x 18 front and 2.50 x 18 back
*MAX*

Larger rims require larger tires which slow steering down on these bikes and ruins the handling. Bigger is not really better.

Your bike most likely came with 2.15 both front and back (or 1.85 F and 2.15 R).

if you get shouldered rims, they look cool, and look like the Borrani rims, but, know that every time you wash your bike or it gets wet etc, water will pool on your rim at the 6:00 position. Pain in the butt. Just know that going into it.

I prefer the excel rims to be polished with a clear coat. The clear coat protects the rims and makes cleaning them 100% easier and faster. Also, the clear coat will give it a very slight satin finish, but, your 'polished' rims will look worse than that the first time you wipe a rag on them to clean so why not make life easy and keep things looking a good as possible?
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rjk40
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by rjk40 »

Hi Steve,

Thanks kindly for the info.

One question still remains:

Shallow or deep dimples on the rims?

Regards,
Richard
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by BevHevSteve »

I don't understand the question. Yes there are dimples, I have no idea who tall they actually are.
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Vince
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by Vince »

Proper original Borani rims on my Laverda especially the rear with the very large twin leader brake had bigger dimples to allow the correct spoke drilling angle to suit the more complicated lace pattern , the resently made Borani copy's have a smaller dimple that compromises this. Dont know if this effects the simpler lace pattern or smaller hubs on disc brake wheels or rear hubs with the simple lace pattern used. This caught me out when I swapped to a bigger new type rear rim.
rjk40
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by rjk40 »

Hi again, Steve,

When you mention "polished with a clear coat", I understand that Buchanan has a rate for the polishing process, but I see no clear coating listed; does that mean that you or I do the clear coating ourselves? Not an issue for me, but I want to be clear.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Richard
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by BevHevSteve »

Excel rim option - clear coated aluminum rim or whatever they say (not black or gold or red etc)
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rjk40
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by rjk40 »

Looking at Buchanan Excel Rim options, the only option I see is the labor for polishing; there is no mention of clear coating. There is mention of anodized coating which gives the old silver finish, but that doesn't sound like a clear coat.

Again, is it your understanding that they do provide clear coated rims?

Sorry to belabor this, but I have found value in making sure in advance on most tasks.
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by BevHevSteve »

Clear anodizing is what I am talking about look at the specific excel rims. The flanged option mentions only limited stock on hand of the anodized type etc
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rjk40
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by rjk40 »

Hi Steve,

Here's the specific info on the Excel Rims, clipped right from the Buchanan catalog:
I am assuming that when you say "Flanged", you mean "Shouldered".
I will be contacting Buchanan soon to order spokes and rims, and will attempt to get clear-anodized and polished rims (yes, I am aware of the extra labor fee for polishing).

Excerpt below from Buchanan:

High ribbed (aka shouldered) dimpled rims for vintage racing or restorations.

Rim lock holes can be drilled but only upon request at the time of your order.



New stock features a non-anodized, classic low-luster factory polished finish.

Some stock available in the old silver anodized finish, while limited supply lasts. Inquire for sizes available.

See below for optional show polished finish.



Part # Description Price
REWM11836H EXCEL WM1 (1.60) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 36H $242.00
REWM11840H EXCEL WM1 (1.60) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 40H $242.00
REWM12136H EXCEL WM1 (1.60) x 21" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 36H $242.00
REWM12140H EXCEL WM1 (1.60) x 21" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 40H $242.00
REWM21836H EXCEL WM2 (1.85) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 36H $242.00
REWM21840H EXCEL WM2 (1.85) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 40H $242.00
REWM21936H EXCEL WM2 (1.85) x 19" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 36H $268.00
REWM21940H EXCEL WM2 (1.85) x 19" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 40H $268.00
REWM31836H EXCEL WM3 (2.15) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 36H $268.00
REWM31840H EXCEL WM3 (2.15) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 40H $268.00
REWM31936H EXCEL WM3 (2.15) x 19" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 36H $268.00
REWM31940H EXCEL WM3 (2.15) x 19" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 40H $268.00
REWM41836H EXCEL WM4 (2.50) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 36H $268.00
REWM41840H EXCEL WM4 (2.50) x 18" SHOULDERED ALUMINUM RIM - 40H $268.00
Excel Dimpled Aluminum Rims - ShoulderedView Large Photo


ADD Polishing - Deluxe Show Finish


Excel Shouldered Aluminum Rims are available with a deluxe 'show polished' finish. If you would like to

order your rim with this polished finish, please select the rim from above and add this polishing to your order.
ducadini
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by ducadini »

It could be that procedures were a bit changed since the 80's but when I had my rims anodised then, they came out rather dull, and CERTAINLY not so shiny as a polished or chromed rim.
After 30+ years of storage
After 30+ years of storage
I had two sets, and the other set is just the same, rusted discs but everything else is dusty. No coating, just a blast with the pressurecleaner before storage.
I suggest You ask some good pics of the anodised rim before ordering them.

ciao
ducadini
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Richiamo i migliori pensieri
rjk40
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Re: Need rim info for 1975 Ducati 860GT

Post by rjk40 »

Thanks, Ducadini,

With the amount of effort and bucks I have put into the resto, I am leaning toward getting the Excel rims polished by Buchanan, and then dealing with keeping them clean. The bike is always garaged, and the worst thing I have seen on other polished aluminum bike parts on my other ones, is the sea salt scum from living three miles from salt water; this cleans up nicely with mild soap and water, and a light rub with SimiChrome brings them back nicely.

I've sent an inquiry to Buchanan,and am awaiting a reply. It might take a bit of waiting, as this month is well into their peak season.
I have asked them for comparative pics of Excel rims straight from the factory, for (clear) anodized rims, and also for the rims after Buchanan does the extra fee-based polishing.

We shall see.

Regards,
Richard
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