Y Spoke vs Snowflake wheels

[EdwarddRichtofen]

Hello, I have a 1991 BMW K75S and was wondering how easy the swap is from the 3 spoke to the traditional snowflake wheel. I’ve read some places say it’s a clean swap.. and others say the entire front end must change. To be clear, we’re talking about swapping 75s y spoke with 75s snowflake.. no oil head wheels or wire spoked wheels.

[Laitch]

Is this the type of snowflake you're wanting?

[EdwarddRichtofen]

The honeycomb would be the one I meant.  That’s a gorgeous wheel though.. where is it From?

[Laitch]

The photo you just posted is a Y-spoke wheel. The later Bricks had three-spoke wheels. Swapping from three-spoke to Y-spoke shouldn't take much. Both use the same axles. Check the Max BMW's fiche's K75 wheel section to determine if the bearings differ. The photo I posted is of what has been called a "snowflake". It was mounted on some R models through the seventies and early eighties. There were structural problems reported with some of them and aren't a straight swap with what you've got.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I swapped three spoke wheels for the Y spokes my K75RT came with.  As I recall, it was a very simple swap.  Take the original wheels off and put the new wheels on.

I'm a little hazy on it, but I think there are a couple different size 3 spoke wheels so you have to be careful to make sure you are getting the right size wheel.

The 3 spoke wheels are a heck of a lot easier to keep clean if you are into that sort of thing.

[Kaos]

Yes. It's interchangeable. But the 3 spoke rim as on the k75s is 3x17 and the 4 valves is wider than the the y-spoke rim which is 2.75x17 and would require a spacer to center it, if i remember correctly. But its still straight bolt on on the rear.
Now the front has a different axle, width, disc brakes etc so you'd have to get a custom axle and the whole shabang. Easier would be getting a k75 front end
Snowflakes as liatch pointed out arent usable.

[EdwarddRichtofen]

So if I’m understanding correctly.. it can be done on the rt but on the s it’s not plug and play

[Kaos]

On the rear it is. Front youd have to check the link provided to double check dimensions
If the axle is the same, it will be pretty much plug and play but as there are some variables that we cant smell its up to yourself to double check what you have and what fits.

[EdwarddRichtofen]

Thanks for the tips.. looks like they’re both the same dimension on the link.. when I receive the wheels I’ll report back

[frankenduck]

On the rear it is. Front youd have to check the link provided to double check dimensions
If the axle is the same, it will be pretty much plug and play but as there are some variables that we cant smell its up to yourself to double check what you have and what fits.

All K75 models use the same frame, forks and drive train parts. I've swapped Y-spokes to 3-spokes on all of my older Ks. Straight swap.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

All K75 models use the same frame, forks and drive train parts. I've swapped Y-spokes to 3-spokes on all of my older Ks. Straight swap.

Exactly.