Topic: Need some confirmation on spokes

[Harsh]

OK to start off with I will be using a '74K rear hub and a '75 GL1000 rear wheel (2.5x17).

I am hoping to get some confirmation on which spokes to get.  A while back I remember reading here (can't find it now) that I should use 77-78K spokes for my particular application because it used a 17" rear wheel.

I will be getting the spokes from Buchanan's, but I have read a few stories that what people received didn't fit quite right and they ended up sending the wheel and hub to them to be laced.  When I call I will try and confirm with them, but I am a little afraid they won't know for sure and will want me to send my stuff in for them to do.  That is a decent amount of money I would really rather not spend especially considering I am already looking at $200 + for just the spokes.

[luap]

pretty sure the measurments you need to give buchanas are OD of the hub ID of the wheel which spokes you want straight 8 guage or 10/8 guage like stock measure the nipple hole an nipple length

[crazypj]

You normally need PCD, the outside of hub is a lot bigger than the holes the spokes fit through
Use something to measure through spoke holes to inside of rim (wire or something that wont stretch)
It's easy enough to find a pair of holes opposite each other on hub and rim

[Harsh]

Appreciate the comments and I don't mind where the conversation is headed.  The more accurate info I can give Buchanan's the better off I will be.

crazypj -What do you mean by PCD?

[Harsh]

I called Buchanan's and let them know what I had and what I was looking for (SS spokes and nipples).  She said that the need four measurements:

Wheel size (ex 2.5x17)
Nipple diameter
Spoke gauge at the hub
Spoke gauge at the wheel


Now where I run into a problem is that the spokes that were on the rear hub when I got the bike were some cheap rusted out chrome pieces of crap.  I can't get a consistent measurement from one spoke to the next (or on the same spoke when I measure in different spots).  I range from 4.97mm to 5.49mm.

Could someone please get me an accurate measurement of a stock 750K spoke where it goes into the hub?
Also, does anyone have a conversion for metric diameter to gauge size.  I googled it, but all I can find is electrical wiring gauge info.

She was able to give me a price...$254 before shipping.  That is a bit crazy considering I only paid $150 for the complete GL front end and rear wheel.

[crazypj]

PCD= pitch circle diameter
The diameter of (imaginary) circle drawn through center of spoke holes
That price does seem unduly high?
Maybe they are trying to get away from motorcycles, car people seem OK with crazy pricing?

[Harsh]

Thanks for the reply.  The price isn't that much higher than their "pre-packaged" sets.  They go for $102-$115 depending on what you have.  So having a custom set made is only $23-$50 more, I guess it just seems unduly high.  Good part is I just got a substantial pay raise at work so it won't hurt so bad when I pay for them.

[mono]

Gauge for electrical wire is the same as all other wire - you can use that chart. O:-)

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[Harsh]

Thanks.  I eventually figured that out.  The issue I have now is that my measurements fall within two different gauges. 
For example:
Front spoke size at the hub = 4mm which equals .1575".  8 gauge wire is .165".  The difference there is .0075"  so I think I am good to go with the 8 gauge spoke there.

Now the rear spokes I am still a little unsure about since they were replaced at some point before I got the bike.  I can't get a consistent measurement from one spoke to the next, but they are all within the same basic range.  It appears they go from 6 gauge at the hub to 10 gauge at the nipple.

[luap]

I built a 550 rear hun to a 19. buchanas sent me the wrong spoke after I cave them all the measurments they sent 6 guage at the hub 8 guage to the nipple. Had to machine down the hub to get the 6 guage through
for those spokes a cpl months ago I paid 60 bucks, just had some 16 front an rear laced to honda hub ss spoke 125 a set

[Harsh]

I built a 550 rear hun to a 19. buchanas sent me the wrong spoke after I cave them all the measurments they sent 6 guage at the hub 8 guage to the nipple. Had to machine down the hub to get the 6 guage through
for those spokes a cpl months ago I paid 60 bucks, just had some 16 front an rear laced to honda hub ss spoke 125 a set

Please tell me where you got your spokes for $60 and where you had it laced for $125 a set.

[lucky]

PCD= pitch circle diameter
The diameter of (imaginary) circle drawn through center of spoke holes
That price does seem unduly high?
Maybe they are trying to get away from motorcycles, car people seem OK with crazy pricing?

I find the car world is just the opposite. Much cheaper prices and more choices.

Change a car tire and fix hole. $20.
Change a MC tire ...................$70.

Buying chrome bolts for you motorcycle is much more expensive in any motorcycle catalogue than any car catalogue.

I always look to the car world first,if possible.

[crazypj]

PCD= pitch circle diameter
The diameter of (imaginary) circle drawn through center of spoke holes
That price does seem unduly high?
Maybe they are trying to get away from motorcycles, car people seem OK with crazy pricing?

I find the car world is just the opposite. Much cheaper prices and more choices.

Change a car tire and fix hole. $20.
Change a MC tire ...................$70.

Buying chrome bolts for you motorcycle is much more expensive in any motorcycle catalogue than any car catalogue.

I always look to the car world first,if possible.

 Check spoked car wheel prices.
There are a lot more cars out there so more competition for tyres, spoked wheels are real specialised
It's also (generally) a lot more work to remove and re-fit a motorcycle wheel.
Majority of shops have dual pricing, wheel on bike, wheel off bike, plus, as you can see both sides of m/c wheel, you have to be 'more' careful not to scratch/damage anything (how often do you check the back side of car wheels?)

$254 isn't too bad compared to 'stock' prices, originally I though it was for just one set of spokes (it's still damn expensive though)