Photography by Dean Groover...
We're happy to report that the Dark Ages of Metric Cruiserdom are behind us. Gone are the days when only a smattering of options were available to the customizer. In the not-too-distant past, owners of metric customs--who'd spent long hours laboring on their machines, stretching the frame, restyling the bodywork, building their bikes the way only they could--were forced to display their creations with original equipment wheels or, at best, new rims laced to the original hubs. But no more!
Gathered here before you are billet wheels from five--count 'em--different manufacturers. And that's not all. While we asked the manufacturers to send us only samples of their Road Star wheels, most of the companies also sell wheels to fit several different cruiser models. The majority of these wheels will bolt on without modification to the frame or fenders, but if you plan to push the envelope by mounting a 21-inch wheel where a 16-incher formerly resided, expect to have new bodywork in your future. Also, some wheels require proprietary brakes and/or pulleys. If in doubt, double-check with the manufacturer.
For our photos, we mounted a set of Avon Tyres to each wheel. Stock-sized hoops received Avon's slick, new Venom X tires, while oversized rims were graced with the long-time customizer's favorite, Avon AM-23. Since we know that all cruisers don't ride Road Stars, we've listed the bikes that each manufacturer carves wheels for and the wheel sizes offered. If you don't see your bike listed, call anyway. Billet wheels are one of the fastest-growing cruiser products on the market.
Go ahead, peruse the wealth of options available. But please, be respectful. Many blocks of aluminum were sacrificed so that cruisers everywhere could display these riches.
CRUZ CONCEPTS PEGASUS
A relative newcomer to the billet wheel arena, Cruz Concepts has brought three wheel styles with names straight out of Greek mythology. Cruz Concepts plans to continue to grow its model line in the future.
Price: Front $675 polished, $900 chromed; rear $840 polished, $1065 chromed.
Weight: Front 17.2 lb.; rear 26.7 lb.
Sizes shown: Front 16 x 3.0 in., rear: 16 x 4.0 in.
Sizes available: Front - 16 x 3.0 in., 17 x 3.5 in., 18 x 3.0 in., 19 x 2.15 in., 21 x 2.15 in.; rear - 16 x 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 in., 17 x 5.5 in., 18 x 3.0, 4.0 in.; 18 x 5.5 in.
Number of styles: Four (Pegasus, Cerberus, Centaur and Prism)
Cruiser models fitted: Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic, Drifter and Nomad; Honda Valkyrie; Yamaha V-Star, Road Star, Venture, Royal Star; and full line of Harley-Davidson.
Special notes: Utilizes stock brakes and pulley.
Contacts: 2321 Glasgow Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101, (888) 447-2869, www.cruzconcepts.com
DIAMOND DISTRIBUTING CUTTER
With its roots in dragracing, Diamond Distributing has entered the cruiser wheel market with what it claims are the first four-spoke billet wheels available. The new Diamond Cutter wheel is unlike any other we've seen.
Price: Front $790 polished, $1040 chromed; rear $995 polished, $1245 chromed
Weight: Front 16.1 lb., rear 21.7 lb.
Sizes shown: Front: 16 X 3.0 in., rear: 16 X 4.0 in.
Sizes available: Front - 16 X 3.0, 4.0 in.; 17 x 3.5 in.; 18 x 3.0, 4.0 in.; 19 x 2.15 in.; 21 x 2.15 in.; rear - 16 X 4.0, 5.0 in.; 18 x 4.0, 5.5 in.
Number of styles: Two (Diamond Cutter and Intimidator)
Cruiser models fitted: Honda Aero (front wheel only), Shadow and Valkyrie; Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic; Suzuki Intruder 1500 LC; Yamaha V-Max
Special notes: Utilizes stock brakes and pulley.
Contact: 10145 Northwest 46th Street, Sunrise, FL 33351, (800) 466-8606, (954) 749-8606, www.diamond-dist.com
JARDINE RAMPAGE CHROME
For years, wheel manufacturers claimed that billet wheels for shaft driven motorcycles would be too expensive to develop because each shaft system was different. Jardine revolutionized the marketplace by building a common set of rims around bolt-in hubs designed for each individual cruiser model. Now Jardine's competition has followed with various interpretations of this design.
Price: Front: $790 polished, $971 chromed; rear: $995 polished, $1244 chromed
Weight: Front: 28.0 lb., rear: 32.2 lb.
Sizes shown: Front: 16 x 3.0 in., rear: 16 x 3.5 in.
Sizes available: Original-equipment sizes
Number of styles: Two (Raptor and Rampage)
Cruiser models fitted: Honda ACE, ACE Tourer, Aero, Sabre, Shadow, Spirit and Valkyrie; Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan, Vulcan 1500 Classic and Nomad; Suzuki 1400 Intruder and 1500 LC; Yamaha 650 V-Star Classic, 650 V-Star Custom, V-Star 1100, Road Star and Royal Star
Special notes: Jardine's wheels are currently available in OE replacement sizes, but custom sizes are in the works.
Contact: 1220 West Railroad Street, Corona, CA 92882, (800) 347-8664, (909) 371-1744, www.jardineproducts.com