I've only heard good things about Buchanan. But have never used them myself.

I'd recommend contacting them, bet you won't be disappointed.

I buy their Excel rims, stainless spokes and nipples from them when I build wheels.  It takes me a very long time to get the wheels true, and it makes me want to just send them my hub and let them do the work and cussing next time.

They are a class act.....building wheels is all they do!

philthymike wrote on 05/11/19 at 15:11:30:

If they had 16" I would go that route, 130/90-16 fits fine in the swingarm.

But here's dave's recommendation...

Dave wrote on 09/28/15 at 05:33:23:

Instead of making another thread I’m gonna post my 2019 plans for my Thumpy here so those of you generous and helpful people have some idea of what the heck I’m trying to do with my bike.

Since the big splurge on Thumpys motor two years ago alot has happened. I got a Ducati and focused on it alot for a year. Then last year I was out of work the entire year. During that year the Ducati had an electronic failure I couldn’t possibly afford to fix on unemployment. So Thumpy became my main ride again and I couldn’t afford to maintain the bike except oil and stuff that doesn’t cost money. The bike has had the snot beaten out of it during this time.
Next weekend the Duck is going to the shop to get its expensive repairs done. When I get her back I’m gonna take Thumpy off the road and spend the rest of the year remediating issues and addressing crap I wanna change and improve upon.

Anyway here’s the short list.

Rust and corrosion. Lots of it! Tons of it!
Clutch. It’s outa there. Barnett to the rescue!
Fork seals. They’re outa there!
Big brake kit. Bike is faster but stopping isn’t....

So that’s the major stuff. Honestly I’m alright with corrosion and rust but the milky rust spotted chrome is just horrid and has to all die with fire and blood and death.

I’m also very much about losing even more weight. There’s not a whole lot more I can squeeze from the engine so losing weight is just as good in my book. As it is alot of stuff is gone. But what remains can be replaced with lighter stuff to some extent.

So that’s what crazy crap is running through my head these days regarding Thumpy.

No nothing radical for Thumpy. I can afford a bike that looks great or a bike that performs great, not both. And I like the regular cruiser look of the LS650. It’s that classic look that the Sportster had several decades ago before becoming transmogrified into the ugly collection of parts it looks like now.
The raked out forks, no front fender, that downward sweep of the rear fender and the big chunky rear tire on a tiny rim. It’s a badass looking bike when you shave off the factory fluff.

As for tires I’m stoked about the Avon rubber I’m running now. It’s been on the bike for a year with constant use all year long and I cannot find a complaint with it. It still looks unused after the thousands of miles on it. Can’t even detect any signs of wear yet!

The 16” does have some good benefits as you said. Maybe a worthwhile swap if I do decide to tackle the back rim. I’ll admit for what the front wheel is gonna cost alone I may decide to put resources on more urgent stuff. I’ve also been tossing around the idea of redoing the forks and if I go down that rabbit hole the wheel budget will likely get consumed.
I’m gonna give it thought though.

And forgot to mention that the Avon tire eliminated that contant flat tire crap I had to deal with every other month before. I haven’t had a flat since putting it on!

As much as I like the idea of saving money the local guys in my area aren't good for that. I live in a East Coast city where everyone is out to rob you.
There used to be 2 local guys who were worthwhile but one got into a horrific accident and the other just vanished. What's left is a place nearby but they only work on Harleys, and another place run by a bunch of drugged up kids who do sloppy work and bill you a whole lot more than their estimates. The rest is stealerships.

So it's all the same money wise so I'd just as well pay the top notch guys instead of the druggies or get the non-Harley hate fee.

Except for the wheels I intend to do all the work myself for the rest of it.

Heck yeah! It would be awesome to have someone teach this to me. It’s really cool of you!