change out clinchers for drop center rims --'26 JD

[PanH]

I have a 26 JD that I want to start riding more and want to take off the clinchers ( and store them for the future) and put on drop center rims and modern tires. Any recommendations for proceeding and sources ?

[Steve Swan]

Attached are pics of what i did for my "Frank's" build.

SUN rims by Buchanan Wheel and Spoke, alloy 21 inch, WM3 (2.15"). Kenda 657 Challenger 90/100-21 tires, wear like iron, upwards of 12k mile lifetime. Challenger 657 tire outside diameter same as factory 3.85x20 balloon clincher tire. https://forum.antiquemotorcycle.org/...ect-SWAN/page4

Kenda's sidewall is sufficient such that the fender is filled and tire is somewhat narrower than the factory 3.85 width seen on 26-29, 20 inch rims. The Kenda's width and sidewall approximates the tire appearance of loop frame models which is the look i was going for on Frank who has pre-1916 fenders.

i am aware there are available in Australia modern drop center rims being produced that externally appear same as clincher rims. sorry, can't remember my source of info on these very interesting sounding rims. i think i may of heard about these rims on JD facebook, maybe it was here... if you learn more about these rims i would appreciate your sharing.

on my restored '27 build, originally i built front/rear wheels using Tom Feeser's Replicant Metal's repro 19 inch Kelsey-Hayes d-c rim fitted with concordantly sized Coker's but i couldn't get myself to like the gap between tire and fender.

20200102_232908.jpg.

[pisten-bully]

PanH, if you’re going to build a wheel, and you don’t already have a front brake, maybe this:
https://forum.antiquemotorcycle.org/...r-W&highlight=

[Steve Swan]

fwiw, here's the front brake off a 1981 Kawasaki KX250 i fitted to Frank's '27 forks.

20190702_135039.jpg20190702_135027.jpg