I am looking at changing out my rear wheel for an 18".
I already have a nice alloy 18" rim from a rear drum bike. Is it as simple as ringing up a spoke supplier and giving dimensions of the savage rim and them sending me the right spokes? or am I kidding myself?
I started thinking that the rim has its own particular hole angle and that isn't necessarily the same as what will be needed with the new Savage hub.
Anyone done this without too many headaches?
Maybe just send the hub off to some wheelbuilders and let them choose the rim and the spokes? (pricey ouch option)
Or is this a DIY possibility?

Spoke calculator is right here... http://users.senet.com.au/~mitchell/misc/html/spoke.htm

It's even in metric.  

As years have passed I have learned to hire a pro when its time for a job that has a serious learning curve & I cant foresee the need to do it enough to ever actually get good at it., IOW, dont go slammin yer head agin a wall to save a few bucks, especially when its something that sees dynamic loads & can cause you trouble down the road,, I have tools & do electrical, plumbing, body work, welding, carpentry, & I have trued 10 speed rims that held up in a corner that put enough G foces on me I could hardly keep my chest off the bars( They drooped from the pressure & YES I was scared to death, I had NO idea I was goin thatfast when I decided to turn) BUT,, for $100.00? I have experience with rims & spokes & I would hire it done./ Anyone who doesnt know what theyre doing would wish they had paid the $$.

Yup thanks people - I woke up in the middle of the night and decided doing it myself was a recipe for disaster. So I'll send it off to the pros.

Another possibility I thought of trying was a gs550/450 wheel but keeping the belt. I quite like the cost effectiveness of the belt.
Is this possible with minimal issues (spacers?) or not?
Just read the chain conversion thread and so imagine the holes line up the same, just whether the belt pulleys can be lined up proper with the GS wheel?

Ok cool Verslagen - I've read a couple of threads about the cast GS wheels and I'm still confused.
Having done a bit of googles, seems there was two GS models at the time, the gs550L and the gs550e. L being a slight chopper/similar to a savage geometry with a 17" rear wheel and the gs550E which was more standared and had 18" rear wheel but a disc brake at the back. I take it then that the GS550L is the right one? Will GS450 L work as well?
Also Verslagen do you have a pic of your ride?

thanks, looks great - I'll start searching the bay.
nice match between your dog and the whitewall tyre  

Buchannan is the way to go.  I worked with them 3 1/2 years ago on my 18" conversion as they had not done one at that point.  They had me send the hub and rim in so they could confirm they had it right.  They make beautiful SS spokes.  They did mine so they sure should have the dims now.