Topic: Spokes too long

[littlebronco]

I took a chance and ordered a set of spokes for a 19" front tire from partsnmore.com, hoping that they would be threaded enough to fit onto an 18" rim.  Ends up they're way too long.  Now I'm trying to find a solution.  So far i've thought about cutting the new spokes with a die, but then I worry about the new cut threads not being plated and rusting.  I wonder how thick the plating on the original cut threads is, can't be too much since it wouldn't fit the nipple.  Any thoughts on this?  Another option is to find a new set of spokes which will fit, which will be like finding a needle in a haystack.  I had a hard enough time finding spokes that would fit stock rims.  One last thought was to find a different hub, one which laced to an 18" rim, and replacement spokes for whatever bike that came off of.  I've got a black powder-coated rim and new Dunlop TT100 tire just waiting to be laced up to something.

[techy5025]

A thought.....19 inch rims show up all the time on ebay. Why not get one and powder
coat it?  The last thing I would alter on a bike would be the spokes..

Just my opinion of course. 

Jim

[littlebronco]

I'm going for a particular look with this bike and wanted a fat front end on it, so I decided to have the same size tire front and back.  It should look real hot once done, so I'm hoping to keep the 18".  Plus at this point, i've already got the tire, a 4.25x18.  I just looked and they have a 4.10x19, which would be worlds better than the 3.25x19 that was on there, but not perfect.  Plus a $50 powdercoat would go to waste.  I had no idea spokes would be so hard to find.

[techy5025]

If you get desperate, check with Buchanan's. They may have a set of stainless to
fit....but bring your American Express. 

http://www.buchananspokes.com/index.html

Jim

[littlebronco]

If you get desperate, check with Buchanan's. They may have a set of stainless to
fit....but bring your American Express. 

http://www.buchananspokes.com/index.html

Jim

I had seen this page before, but didn't look close until you just mentioned it.  Apparently the CB450 had a disc brake in front with an 18" rim.  A little hunting on ebay and I found a pic which looks like the exact same hub as my 550 currently has.  Looks like this may be a solution (although a little expensive...)  This bike also is a good example of the 18" front&rear look that I'm going for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CB450-K5-1972-Freshly-Restored_W0QQitemZ220004522968QQihZ012QQcategoryZ80647QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Gordon]

Before you try cutting new threads into the spokes, have a look at this old post.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=6392.0

I have no personal experience with this, but it makes sense that cutting threads will weaken that part of the spoke, so they need to be rolled instead. 

[Bodain]

I encountered a similar problem when lacing up my standard Honda hub to a Harley type rim. I had puchased a set of spokes on Ebay. These spokes were supposed to be exactly what I needed for this application. They were too long. So I purchased another set on Ebay, again these were supposed to be for this exact application. Again the spokes are too long. I contact the seller. He insists I don't have a clue, because he has sold hundreds for this same application without any complaint. HMMM.. I was starting to wish I had left that perfectly fine rear wheel alone. I decide the only solution is to grind off .25 and retap them.

Now try to find the right tap for these bad boys. It is an oddball metric thats almost impossible to find. I finally used a standard tap that was an extremely close match. It all worked and the wheel has been on the bike for some time now.

[oldbiker]

Threads on spokes are ALWAYS rolled as cutting the threads leaves stress points which may lead to failure. If you want to go to an 18" rim why not try a set of cb400f spokes which are made for that size of rim. David Silver Spares sells a set of stainless spokes for about £15. Mind you, I have some doubts about going to a fat tyre on the front as I don't think the handling of the bike will be as good as stock.

[littlebronco]

Threads on spokes are ALWAYS rolled as cutting the threads leaves stress points which may lead to failure. If you want to go to an 18" rim why not try a set of cb400f spokes which are made for that size of rim. David Silver Spares sells a set of stainless spokes for about £15. Mind you, I have some doubts about going to a fat tyre on the front as I don't think the handling of the bike will be as good as stock.

Great, that's exactly what I need, the cb400f had a front disc brake and 18" rim.  As far as handling, I know it'll probably be much different but this bike is more for looks and to drive across town to school and back.  No long road trips for this one I don't think.  I eyed up the front tire between the front forks and it'll be a tight fit, but it looks great!

[crazypj]

Not only are the threads rolled, they are 1/8" WHITWORTH, 55 degree thread angle. I wouldnt cut new threads for the reason already mentioned though.
 I knew the measurement would come in handy one day
I thought the 400f had different hub (smaller) than 550/750?
PJ

[littlebronco]

Not only are the threads rolled, they are 1/8" WHITWORTH, 55 degree thread angle. I wouldnt cut new threads for the reason already mentioned though.
 I knew the measurement would come in handy one day
I thought the 400f had different hub (smaller) than 550/750?
PJ

Looks the same based on browsing ebay pics but that's not a real good way to tell.  I should ask in a new thread.

[crazypj]

quick measurement, looks like 550/750 is 115mm PCD and 400 is 110mm PCD.
Dont know if someone has accurate measurements??
PJ

[cmorgan47]

for what it's worth, the cb400f rim is supposed to fit an 3.00x18

i'd think a 4.25 would be HUGE on that rim.

[littlebronco]

I ordered some CB400F spokes from david silver.  We'll see if they fit.  For rim, I'm using a 2.15x18 rim I found in the junk yard, which is the recommended minimum width from Dunlop for the 4.25x18 TT100's.  Hopefully these spokes will fit, looks like the size difference isn't much between the 550 and 400 hub.  If anyone's interested, I'll report back once they arrive.  Unfortunately, with 400 wheel being 36 spoke, I'm gonna need 2 sets.