[retro]

OK, I wanted new front & rear spokes for '87 TW. Took pics of the old ones. Ordered new ones & put the back ones in, no problem. Now the problem. The front spokes are 2 different lengths with 3 different hooks. I have tries several ways, using my pics but they do not seem to work right. Does anyone have any suggestions or do I have to buy another '87 just to look at the spokes?



Thanx Much!

Retro

 

[lizrdbrth]

Sounds as if you have the spokes for a disc brake wheel. All the hook ends on disc wheels face the outside of the wheel, while on drum wheels they alternate, inward and outward facing.



Basically drum brake spokes are bent at a 90 degree angle and disc spokes are on the order of 45 degrees.



I'll be stripping a front wheel next week. If you can't figure it out or can't get the right spokes and can afford to wait, I'll bundle them up and you can use what you need and ship the rest back.

 

[Bagger]

do I have to buy another '87 just to look at the spokes?



Thanx Much!

Retro

Ha! Nice try retro, if you wanna buy another bike, you don't have to come up with weak excuses, just buy it!!

I'll be stripping a front wheel next week. If you can't figure it out or can't get the right spokes and can afford to wait, I'll bundle them up and you can use what you need and ship the rest back.

Good On you LB, your a good Man.

Bag

 

[retro]

Sounds as if you have the spokes for a disc brake wheel. All the hook ends on disc wheels face the outside of the wheel, while on drum wheels they alternate, inward and outward facing.



Basically drum brake spokes are bent at a 90 degree angle and disc spokes are on the order of 45 degrees.



I'll be stripping a front wheel next week. If you can't figure it out or can't get the right spokes and can afford to wait, I'll bundle them up and you can use what you need and ship the rest back.

 

[retro]

Thanx Much LB,



I have this bike down into parts. Re-painted everything. Am going to brat it. I need to get the wheels on to put the motor back on. If I can't figure thes spokes out, I may just put plywood inside of the rim for spokes. That would look good if I paint it.

Thanx Much!

Retro

 

[retro]

Found my old spokes & compared to the new ones. Everything is the same. I am just putting in wrong I guess. I will keep trying.



Retro

 

[TW-Brian]

Hi Retro,



I have a front wheel with the drum brake. Would it help you to have some pictures of an intact wheel/hub/brake drum with spokes? If so, let me know what views would be the most helpful and I can take some pictures for you.



Brian

 

[retro]

Hello Brian,



I am putting my long spokes on the big hub. Can you measure one of your spokes on the big side of the hub? Am I putting the right spokes on the right side of the hub?



Thanx Much!

Retro

 

[TW-Brian]

I will check after I get home this evening and let you know.



Brian

 

[TW-Brian]

Hi Retro,



It looks like the long spokes (approximately 8") are laced into the smaller wheel hub and the shorter spokes (approximately 7.5") are laced into the larger brake drum. See picture below:

I hope this is helpful.



Brian

 

[retro]

Brian,



I guess that I have been trying to do it bass-ackards?! One more question- I have 9 short spokes with the 45 degree bent end. Do yours face inside or outside of the big hub? I can't tell from the picture.



Thanx Much!

Retro

 

[TW-Brian]

I'll take another look at it tonight and see if I can figure it out for you.



Brian

 

[TW-Brian]

Hi Retro,



It appears that the spokes that end up on the outside of the brake drum have a 90 degree bend. See picture below:

It is hard to see the bend on the inside spokes, but I would guess that means the ones with a 45 degree bend will end up on the inside.



Brian

 

[lizrdbrth]

Ok. The ones with the SLIGHTLY less acute angle go on the inside, every fourth rim hole.



I say slightly because the correct spokes are only slightly less than 90 degrees, but nowhere near 45. If you got spokes with 45 degree ends they're for a late model rim.



Check your nipples. Late model spokes are heavier. If your old nipples won't quite thread onto any of your new spokes easily, that could be your problem.

 

[retro]

Brian,

I DID IT! Well kinda. I have to take it apart again & swap the different angled spokes. I like to do everything backwards at least once.

One more thing. Can you tell me how far the big hub sticks out pass the rim? I had the measurement somewhere & lost it. I'll find it when I'm finished.



Thanx for yours & everyones help. Now if I can just true this thing...



Retro

 

[TW-Brian]

Retro,



Using the high precision measurement setup shown below, I measured the offset from the outermost edge of the rim to the outside edge of the brake drum to be 15/16".



This measurement was made at 325" above sea level at an ambient temperature of 78 degrees F.



YMMV (your measurement may vary)



Brian

 

[retro]

Brian,

Now could you give that measurement one more time but made under water at a depth of 12'6"?

And maybe one from on top of your house cause I need one from 335'(temperature doesn't really matter). Where did you get the precise measuring instrument? Is that one of those Geiger Counters?

If I can figger out how to put a pic on here, I'll post one when I finish. I have to take it apart just one more time cause I put the large hub spokes in bass-ackards.



Retro

Retro,



Using the high precision measurement setup shown below, I measured the offset from the outermost edge of the rim to the outside edge of the brake drum to be 15/16".



This measurement was made at 325" above sea level at an ambient temperature of 78 degrees F.



YMMV (your measurement may vary)



Brian

 

[retro]

Oh yeah, I need those measurements in metric since all of my screwdrivers & Crescent wrenches are metric.



Retro

 

[retro]

The first time that I laced my rim, when I finished, the rim was SQUARE! Rode a little rough.

 

[TW-Brian]

Oh yeah, I need those measurements in metric since all of my screwdrivers & Crescent wrenches are metric.



Retro

I'll get a man on it right away. As you can see, I already have a metric ruler. Now I just need to find a metric straightedge, all mine are in inches.



Brian