Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Called Buchanon's today to order the spokes for my 1975 S3. Was told they no longer makes spokes for that model, and that I need to take the spokes off my bike and send them in and they will custom make them.

How recent is the info that someone ordered S3 spokes from these people and they filled the order with off the shelf items?

I never did find S3 spokes at Buchanan's. They would have been customs and that was a couple of years ago. You can get stainless spokes for the S3 at Diablocycles (formerly reproduction decals). I got mine off of eBay and they were shipped from Taiwan. I don't believe Diablo had them at the time or I would have ordered from them.

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

You might try Woody's Wheel Works. I can't say they'll have them in stock, but it might be good to see what they can do for you.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Check ebay as there is tons of nos spoke kits out there from kawasaki.

Yeah, but they won't be SS. I think the OP is looking for SS spokes and that is a challenge with the S3 for front wheel.

I will venture out into the garage and measure some spares that I have. Maybe we can cross reference to a different model bike if we know all the dimensions. I haven't tried that before.

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

Send them in and have them make them. I have had great luck with them doing that. Really no big deal, and not a long wait. Surprised though that they didn't have a record of doing them in the past?

I did some digging and have a possible solution. Some spokes that are sold list the following models for front spoke kits:

S2 A 350 (73)
KZ400 A1/A2 Delux (77-78)
KZ400 B1/B2 (78-79)
KZ400 D/D3/D4 (75-77)
S3 / S3A 400 (74-75)
KH400 A3-A5 (76-78)

Buchanan's lists KZ400-1000 Stainless Steel Front spokes set. You might be able to send them a couple of spokes to compare and see if this kit will work. Probably cheaper than custom but maybe not. I can't understand why they can't make them from previous order information.

From Kawasaki S3 400 Manual
Front Inner 41027-054 102 deg X 174.5 mm
Front Outer 41028-054 83 deg X 174 mm
Spokes are 3.5 - 4.0 mm in diameter meaning skinny in the middle and 4.0 mm dia near each end. You can use 4.0 diameter spokes it just adds a little weight. You can also use 3.5 diameter spokes at the cost of some strength (don't do Evil Knievel jumps with it).
Nipples are approximately 5.95 mm dia - fits 6mm (?) hole in rim.

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

Buchanans Did my new fat Excell rims and custom made SS spokes, H2B but custom fit, have them polish them, well worth the money (or maybe polish them yourself).........they look sooooo good !

THX Phil

The silver colored Excel rims come polished, then clear anodized. If you have them polished by Buchanan's, they remove the anodizing and re-polish, and they're very shiny, but you'll have to polish them often to keep them that way. If you leave them anodized they'll take a lot less maintenance to stay good looking.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Jim

10-4, I had them polish the SS spokes only, or else they look like a knife or a fork out of the kitchen......I left the Excell Rims alone as they are coated.....good advice for sure..........They told me that they bought some 100 year old big heavy machine from England (their old supplier went out of business, same machine) and did some Mods to it, and they still use it today to make spokes........Quality work they do !

THX Phil