Modifying a 86/87 three spoke rim

What would the general consensus be about boring three holes on each spoke of a 86' three spoke rim. I am thinking of going progressively smaller w/ each hole, 1.25", 1.00" .75". I would not be doing this my self I would have it professionally done @ a machine shop. I will have the bike tore down over the winter & was trying to think of a way to make it unique w/o going overboard on the expense(ie. an F2 set up). Structurally it should not effect the rim's strength being a round hole & if the edges where chamferred you shouldn't have to worry about cracking. Someone feel free to talk me out of this if there is a perceived safety issue or if you just think it would look terrible or stupid. Just one of those passing idea's floating around in the melon.

 

It probably wouldn't hurt the integrity of the wheel, but I'm no engineer just going off my gut.

As far as looks I'm not so sure either. I don't really think it will add much to the bike, but again jmo.

How about a nice powdercoat job? I think that would really spruce things up. Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

I was planning on power coating then anyway in smoked chrome(really shiny silver/grey) I have a low end Eastwood set up in the shop. I was just trying to think of something else to set it off, I have all winter to think about it.

 

If you drill any lightening holes in the wheel, you must leave ligament material equal to the hole diameter on either side of the spoke and also between holes or the spoke will be weakened. Example: Assuming the spoke is 3" wide, the biggest hole you can drill in the center of the spoke without weakening it is 1"; the center of the next adjacent hole must be at least 2" away. As the spoke tapers the size of the successive holes must be no greater than 1/3 of the spoke's width at the hole's center. Personally, I would limit any lightening or decorative holes to non-structural parts of the bike like heelguards. Remember that the spokes transmit all the torsional power from the cush drive out to the rim; I would not lighten them without also changing the drive to a radial mount sprocket but that is probably more effort than it is worth.

 

thanks for the reply, the more I think about it the less I'm liking the idea any way.