19” front wheel. This is getting expensive

[BlackdogADV]

So far I spent $225 on a new hub. An Excel 19 X 2.5 in black is $353 (from Buchanan’s). Stainless spoke kit is $157. Then $150 for the tire. Buchanan’s wants another $145 for lacing and truing, I’ll take care of that myself.
Bottom line, this will give me more tire choices and will allow me to use 100/90-19 (Bear) or the 110/80-19 (BMW GS) sizes.

 

[Alan F.]

Please @BlackdogADV don't take this as bragging, I don't mean it that way at all. These are early 2024 prices.
$96 for a used hub from the UK
$75 for a stock 410 Himalayan 21" rim from India
$70 for tire, tube and rim strip from a US based Ebay seller
$64 for custom length Stainless spokes from an Ebay seller in Ch!na
$74 for a 410 Himalayan front fender and Pyramid fender extender.
$13 for four 1" nylon spacers and four 1" longer 6mm bolts to raise the fender.

I hadn't totaled it up before now, it took me several months to find my best deals, and that was before costs went completely insane.

I'm glad my mod was a success and I'm enjoying it. I know how much more you'll enjoy your bike with this new wheel.

 

[BlackdogADV]

I hadn't totaled it up before now, it took me several months to find my best deals, and that was before costs went completely insane.
I'm glad my mod was a success and I'm enjoying it. I know how much more you'll enjoy your bike with this new wheel.

You did good! Another consideration for me is to source a Bear front wheel and spokes. I’m assuming that would lace up nicely with the interceptor hub.

 

[BlackdogADV]

Here’s a 19” rim for $75. I thought Himalayan rims were all 21”? Not sure if it’s 36 spokes either.

 

[Alan F.]

If you're considering stock parts, forum member @Richard. is located in India and is an authorized RE parts dealer, im not sure how to phrase that correctly.

Here he is in reply #16 of this thread

 

[Alan F.]

That could be a Scram411 front wheel, does a 2.15" width fit your needs?

 

[BlackdogADV]

That could be a Scram411 front wheel, does a 2.15" width fit your needs?

100/90 19 (26” tall) a rim width of 2.15 to 2.75 works
100/80 19 (27” tall) a rim width of 2.5 would be preferred

 

[Alan F.]

You did good! Another consideration for me is to source a Bear front wheel and spokes. I’m assuming that would lace up nicely with the interceptor hub.

I don't know about those spokes fitting an Interceptor or Continental GT 650 front hub, Bear seems to use different hubs, but I don't know if any other bikes use those same hubs.

Anywho, the info to calculate front spoke length for Interceptor or Continental GT 650 (or even Continental GT 535 same hub different brake disc 5 bolts not 6) is in my thread here in reply #122
You just need the one measurement, ERD Effective Rim Diameter from the actual rim you want to use.

I plugged that info into that calculator the other night with the ERD of a Honda 250 Nighthawk rear rim, 16x2.50 and it calculated 151mm, i found that ERD in some old notes and tried it for fun since they're 36 spokes, and chromed steel, and i have some in my stash. I've seen tall ballooney 16" tires on Interceptors in youtube videos from India, keywords: Broad Tire. Those tires are probably great on their rough roads.

 

[BlackdogADV]

It was just bought to my attention that the new classic 650 has a 19” front. I don’t know what width but it comes with a 100/90-19 tire.

 

[Alan F.]

Oh definitely talk with @Richard. about obtaining those parts.

 

[BlackdogADV]

No turning back now. I had my heart set on a 19” but if that gets complicated I guess I could go with a Himalayan 21”.

 

[BlackdogADV]

I found a complete Bear front wheel assembly with brake, tire, etc for a good deal. Problem is I’m not sure if the wheel would lace up to my hub.

 

[Alan F.]

Here's a chromed steel 19x2.5 with spoke angles that look good.
On Ebay

What type of wheel is your ideal?
Aluminum in black to match your rear is my guess.

 

[BlackdogADV]

What type of wheel is your ideal?
Aluminum in black to match your rear is my guess.

Yes, black aluminum is preferred. The Bear wheel I found might be worth a chance as it’s only $125.
How are you liking your 21”?

 

[Alan F.]

Thats a fine deal on the Bear rim, I'd grab that and sell off the spokes and hub.

Another chrome $75 shipped.

I'm enjoying the 21" I think it was well worth the effort. I've had some trouble figuring out the front fender, I haven't been out riding with my latest version but I'm hopeful.
Himalayan has leading axle forks so adapting that fender to an Interceptor gets interesting.

You can pick up a stock steel 21 for about $88 on ebay like I did but the weld area is ugly and imperfect, not a problem truing or balancing but its ugly if you look close.
Stainless spokes (CH) from ebay are about $75, you can message me directly and I'll give you the spoke length i used, i dont want to post it publicly.

 

[BlackdogADV]

I found a dealer that can get me a Scram 19”! $400!

“They’re $400 for me to order and it comes with the stock tire on it. I can’t order it without the tire unfortunately”

I’m about to just order a custom Excel. I found another wheel builder, Dubya and they can do it for about $100 less then Buchanan’s.
ubyausa.com

 

[Alan F.]

Send a private message to @Richard. He can get you a better price than that.

How about a used wheel you can tear down for the rim?

2.50x19 from BMW F650 (early ones were 2.15x19, later like 2004 they went to 2.50x19
Ebay

Also ebay

 

[BlackdogADV]

I just ordered a new take-off Bear front wheel assembly with tire and brake for $145 plus shipping. Baxter Cycles says there’s no way to make it fit. I’ll try to prove them wrong.

 

[Alan F.]

You can always make parts fit, but finding parts from other bikes that just fit can be tough. I'd love to know if Bear uses the same hubs as the 452 bikes.

 

[BlackdogADV]

I just got the new Bear front wheel assembly. The Bear uses a smaller axle and different hub. The speedometer pick-up is different also. I’d love to use the entire Bear wheel assembly but just using the Bear wheel and tire might be more reasonable. I’m pretty sure the Bear wheel will lace up to the Interceptor hub.