Author Topic: Central Wheels Nipples too big!  (Read 2645 times)

Offline Johnny4428

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Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« on: January 08, 2026, 09:48:54 AM »
Central wheels at it again, ordered for two 550 wheels front fine, rear nipples wouldn’t go through rim holes. Checked old rim with new same size holes. This is not the first time this has happened to me. They didn’t like being told to check spec for correct size before advertising these sets for the 550. To be fair they have replied and are going to sort it f.o.c.
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Orcade-Ian

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2026, 10:30:49 AM »
I don't know what has happened at CWC - I've had fantastic service from them in the past but that incident with the CD175 sloper for Colin (via Stevie) really put me off.  Quite a few have had problems recently and CWC have been far less than helpful.  Hope you get satisfaction Johnny, there's nothing worse than oversized nipples.

Ian

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2026, 10:35:24 AM »
Considering how long they have been trading is it "new" owners?

Offline DomP

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2026, 01:09:45 PM »
Same here, used them twice and both orders were wrong
1975 XS650B
1976 CB550F1 current project
2012 Triumph Daytona 675

Offline taysidedragon

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2026, 06:57:45 PM »
I assume they have some new staff in their order despatch department who haven't been trained very well, or
don't give a monkey's!
Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline Sesman

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2026, 02:45:54 PM »
It’s Britain, everything is just too hard.

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2026, 03:59:28 PM »
I’m sure they will sort it, have sent the nipples back for exchanging. Fingers crossed the right ones come back!😳
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline fogrider

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2026, 09:05:52 AM »
My son had a problem with CW's, it was the young lady who answered the phone. No idea, but thought she knew everything. In the end, he had to ask for the workshop manager to explain what he wanted.
He was requesting an 18" MT3 rim with spokes for a Suzuki rear hub that was originally a 17" rim.
 She had argued  there was no such thing, it must be a WM3 and he was making a mistake with rim sizes.
 Following his chat with the workshop guy, the resulting spoke set was spot on.
Laced up with all the spoke heads 1mm below the driver slot. Perfection.

I find too many firms employ first-contact staff who are like that.

The thing is to specify every little detail from rim size, number of spokes, spoke diameter, spoke qauge , nipple diameter etc etc,
That's what they will supply.




Regards all.

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2026, 11:31:49 AM »
Just thought haven’t heard from CW since I posted nipples back to them exactly a month ago. Time to get in touch and see what excuse they come up with. Absolutely no communication in that time. They are not getting any better.
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2026, 03:56:11 PM »
That's very bad to hear Johnny but not surprising for this day and age. I don't know why but since the pandemic everywhere appears to be going the same way, massive price increases but no longer offering the quality of service they once did.
CWS used to be a good company, even appearing on the motorbike show showing Henry how it was done. Sadly another example of what was once a good customer focused company falling into the trap of believing their own publicity and failing to look after customers.
I was at Phillpotts earlier and was told although they are still really busy not so many people are now using their services for bikes because restoring motorcycles is now so expensive coupled with the over regulation of the platting industry pushing their prices ever higher. Apparently the water company visit once a week ad-hoc to check on what they are discharging into the sewers. I find it amazing water companies can sit on the pollutant high ground when they discharge how many tonnes of untreated raw sewage into the rivers and the sea!
« Last Edit: February 09, 2026, 03:59:32 PM by Laverda Dave »
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
1990 Honda VFR400R NC30

Online Oddjob

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2026, 04:14:56 PM »
They sit on the high ground because it’s above the water with all the crap in it they put there.
Kids in a the back seat cause accidents.
Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2026, 10:28:53 AM »
Sad indeed guys! Sent an email yesterday morning first thing and never heard anything. Dave I was going to make contact with Phillpots as I have forks to refurb but now I’m not sure. Anywhere else that would return a similar standard of service or should I go there? Possibly consider replacing?
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2026, 04:23:25 PM »
I called Brooks Suspension last week Johnny to enquire about them rebuilding the rear shock of the NC30 (apparentley its not worth doing they said, I'd be wasting my money refurbing a shock that wasn't very good when it was new! They are trying to steer me in the Nitron £700+ route, err.....no!). I asked about replating the front stanctions and they quoted £200 but it would be an 8 week turnaround. They don't do them there, they are sent out although they didn't say to who (Dynasurf???).
I stuck with Philpots in the end as their work is really good quality (I've used them five times before) and I was able to drop them off myself. Price is £330 for both and includes posting back to me when completed. Turnaround time is 4 weeks but likely much sooner.
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
1990 Honda VFR400R NC30

Online Oddjob

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2026, 07:46:57 PM »
Dynasurf told me they’d stopped doing bike forks. Said it was too much trouble and they had enough work already so wouldn’t miss them.
Kids in a the back seat cause accidents.
Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Central Wheels Nipples too big!
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2026, 09:32:57 AM »
Just an update on CWs, ended up sending the spokes back to them as they couldn’t supply spoke nipples small enough to fit the holes in my new rims, despite the fact that they are the same size holes as in the old original rims. Still awaiting return of butted spokes with appropriate nipples. And as yet still no acknowledgement for making a mistake. I would at the very least be slightly appologetic.😡
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)