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I have a few loose spokes and the nipples seem to be permanently bonded to them. So, not adjustable any more. Does any member have spokes that they don't plan on using? I don't need a whole set. Just going to replace 6-10 of them. Seems like a waste to buy a whole set.

Is this on an assembled wheel?

yes...it is currently on the bike.

http://www.buchananspokes.com/ They sell individual spokes at reasonable prices.

If you take the wheel off, you can better determine which ones are stuck and not stuck, after using a tool to hold the nipple more securely from inside the rim. Also some penetrating oil, heat, swearing, etc, can be better used on a removed / tire and tube off wheel.

Kawasaki sells the nipples and spokes individually.

Be aware, outside Kawasaki OEM parts, finding the correct spokes and nipples is a LOTTERY (and I lost several times)

bultaco4ever wrote:I have a few loose spokes and the nipples seem to be permanently bonded to them. So, not adjustable any more. Does any member have spokes that they don't plan on using? I don't need a whole set. Just going to replace 6-10 of them. Seems like a waste to buy a whole set.

it may be cheaper to replace the wheel.

but


in the mean time, warm the spoke nipple inside the wheel with a pen torch (warm, NOT hot !) and drip pbblaster on the threaded section from the opposite side.

this will pull penetrant through the threads, and after several applications, break the corrosive bond IF the nipple isn't galled.

Is this for a front or rear wheel?
Also, consider getting a whole spoke/nipple set and re-lacing your wheel.
Any Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawi 21" spoke& nipple will fit the front, and 18" from the same will fit the rear. Honda used some 32 spoke wheels and those spokes won't fit, so avoid trying to buy Honda spokes as they are hit and miss. IIRC, Pro Wheel and Excel spokes are direct matches (Excel is stock).

For my rear wheel. Buchanan website is confusing. They don't seem to cater to KDX. KX models...yes they do.

bultaco4ever wrote:For my rear wheel. Buchanan website is confusing. They don't seem to cater to KDX. KX models...yes they do.

Same spokes.

NOT the same

Jason wrote:NOT the same

What is different?

diameter of nipple
diameter of spoke

Bultaco guy, take the wheel off. Take the tire and such off, then work on freeing all the nipples up. Its not 40 years old like a Bultaco, but it is 20 or so.

I see.....I'd still do KX spokes (9 gauge) and drill the hub and rim to fit...You can get whole kits from RMATV for $50 https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/10 ... e-Kit-Rear
OR order 10 gauge spokes from Buchanan....http://www.buchananspokes.com/products/ ... spokes.asp
It's the first option. They will ask specific bike questions at check out.

FYI, I helped build my wheels and drilling out the hub and rim is easy, just takes time and a long drill bit for the hub.

OK...I'll take the tire off. I just got a new tire for it anyways. I figured I'd do the spokes and tire now and be ready for spring.

bultaco4ever wrote:For my rear wheel. Buchanan website is confusing. They don't seem to cater to KDX. KX models...yes they do.

Call them. I bought the spokes for my '90 KDX through them. They'll get you the right part.

OK...I didn't call Buchanan spokes but I figured out that they offer spokes for an 87 or 88 KX 125, 250 or 500. Those models had an 18" rear wheel. (newer KX's had the 19" wheel). The spoke length is 188mm on KX and 189mm on the KDX that I have. The diameter on the KX spoke is slightly bigger. No website that I use shows the diameter of the spoke nipple but I believe the KX nipple is larger. I wouldn't mind drilling out the rim for the nipple but I don't look forward to drilling out the hub if that is needed. I have a vintage restoration specialist who will relace the whole wheel for $100. I may just let him have the job and do the whole wheel. Buchanan prices are a bargain for stainless steel spokes and nipples compared to dealer price on NOS spoke. Buchanan works out to be almost $3 per spoke. NOS will be twice that per spoke for a lower quality spoke.

However....since this is a new bike to me....and...I have only ridden it once since I have replaced KIPS, jets, fork seals, rear spring, shock bearing, wheel bearings....I kind of want to just fix just the obviously loose spokes and do the whole wheel at a later date after I have spent some time in the saddle. So, I might just get a few OEM spokes to tide me over....unless there is a member here who has some spokes that he (or she) may not need any longer...I can do Paypal and make it worth your while.

bultaco4ever wrote:However....since this is a new bike to me....and...I have only ridden it once since I have replaced KIPS, jets, fork seals, rear spring, shock bearing, wheel bearings....I kind of want to just fix just the obviously loose spokes and do the whole wheel at a later date after I have spent some time in the saddle. So, I might just get a few OEM spokes to tide me over....unless there is a member here who has some spokes that he (or she) may not need any longer...I can do Paypal and make it worth your while.

Just want to be clear.....Buchanan DOES have OEM size spokes for the KDX. I'd give them a call to order them up.

6 Riders wrote:

bultaco4ever wrote:However....since this is a new bike to me....and...I have only ridden it once since I have replaced KIPS, jets, fork seals, rear spring, shock bearing, wheel bearings....I kind of want to just fix just the obviously loose spokes and do the whole wheel at a later date after I have spent some time in the saddle. So, I might just get a few OEM spokes to tide me over....unless there is a member here who has some spokes that he (or she) may not need any longer...I can do Paypal and make it worth your while.

Just want to be clear.....Buchanan DOES have OEM size spokes for the KDX. I'd give them a call to order them up.

Yes they do. I did no drilling on the stock hub, and they came with stock sized nipples, and laced it to a Warp 9 rim. Call them and get it ordered!

Edit to add pic