Front wheel compatibility: 250SL and 03 Wombat

[Darrell]

I'm a bit surprised that the front wheels of the 250SL and 03 Wombat are not interchangeable (I checked the Hodaka Compatibility Parts List).

Does anybody know what the significant differences are? Maybe it's the hub widths?

Thanks in advance for your feedback

[olddogs]

The difference is in the axle diameter. That makes the collar, wheel bearings and hole in the front backing plate of the 03 smaller than the 250. Either will work in the 34 mm forks as long as you use all the 03 or all 250sl front wheel components as a whole.

[Darrell]

Thanks for the explanation. I can see those differences on the schematics. I hope the skinnier axle and smallish bearings are up to the weight of the SL.

But well, dang. What could Hodaka have gained, or saved, from designing in such a minor difference that complicates things on many other levels, e.g., design, purchasing, supply, inventory, parts sales, etc.? Maybe I'm just getting crabby.

[Bullfrog]

Um, aren't the skinnier components on the 125? Things were beefed up for the um, herky-er 250.

Ed

[Darrell]

Um, aren't the skinnier components on the 125? Things were beefed up for the um, herky-er 250.

Ed

I am investigating the viability of replacing a 250SL front wheel (damaged rim) assembly with an available 03 Wombat unit, not the other way around.

As olddog indicates, it can be done but all ancillary parts have to be changed because the axle and bearings are weenier on the 03. I have reservation about stressing the lighter 03 components by loading them with the portly 250SL.

Too bad the outside bearing races of both wheels were not the same diameter, then it would be easy to change bearings and reuse the 250 axle and backing plate. However, the 03 front wheel bearings are probably the same spec as on the 94, which I would say are pretty tiny.

[olddogs]

Where they saved in the parts department is that they used the 02 Road Toad front hub and backing plate and adapted it to the 34 mm forks on the 125. I guess they thought the same thing you did, the 250 might be to heavy for the smaller axel so they upgraded the axel and bearings. . You may be able to pull the wheel bearing and find some that will fit the larger ID of the axel. Bearings are pretty universal. You may even be able to enlarge the axle hole in the backing plate as this is not a load bearing part. Great thing about these bikes. They are like Legos, you can mix and match a lot of stuff with just a little tinkering.