05-22-2019, 04:07 PM
(05-22-2019, 12:26 PM)Dave_imp Wrote: Great video on the SS versus chrome plated spokes. Does anyone know what spoke material Honda used on their 1970's CB750's? I have a 1976 CB750F, and it's been sitting in my shed for over 20 years. The spokes are very rusted, and pitted. I thought I could clean them up, but that doesn't look like a good idea after watching this video. This bike has 123,000 miles on it (I am the original owner), and I never once had a problem with the spokes. I don't remember having to ever tighten them - I did check them a few times over the course of 22 years of riding it though.
The "Stainless steel versus chrome plated spokes" video misses two points.
First, the vast majority of spokes are cadmium or zinc plated. Throughout Honda's history, I cannot think of any bike that used chromed spokes (except possibly the 1976 GL1000 LTD which had gold colored or plated spokes), and only one that uses stainless spokes (2017 CB1100). That's likely true of most other bikes coming out of Asia (except Triumphs and some Royal Enfields).
Chromed spokes (or any chrome-plated or nickel-plated structural item) are subject to hydrogen embrittlement that makes the material much more prone to cracking and failure, amplified by it's movement. I doubt that most aftermarket chrome spokes are properly heat relieved.
Polished stainless steel can be almost as bright as chrome, but, like our stainless headers, doesn't stay nice forever.