Author Topic: Advice needed on lacing/truing wheels (’77 CB750 SOHC K-Series) Buchanan spokes.  (Read 2911 times)

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Offline nanda007

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Q1: Are the stock rims (front and rear) perfectly centered with the hub or are they a bit offset? Also, how about the rear wheel that has 16” HD rim?
Note: I took some measurements and notes during disassembly but unfortunately lost the info. Rims have been sitting disassembled since the fall Never found time to get back to it. I guess now is the time.

For the rear wheel, I went ahead and did the common conversion by pairing the OEM hub to the HD 3.0 16” rim using stainless Buchanan spokes. That was quite a challenge for me since the outer spokes would not fit at all until I drilled the outer spoke’s nipple holes (on the rim) with 8 mm drill bit to gain more clearance. The lacing was made possible but still after lacing the spokes are very stiff w/ no play left for truing.

The outer spoke’s nipples simply seem to have too wide of a head which prevents nipple to sit flush with the rim. As I tighten each spoke, the nipple starts dragging along the wall of the nipple seat indentation (in the rim) creating resistance and eventually cutting itself into the rim. The issue only is with the Rear HD rim while the front one is perfectly fine having tons of play left for trueing.

Q2:
Am I the only one experiencing issues with Buchanan spokes or do I simply have to go back and make more clearance but this time focusing on the nipple seat indentation in the rim?
Maybe shaving off some of the material of the nipple head would help as well?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Offline Harsh

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Use the bathroom, get a drink and a snack, and have a nice read.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=105989.0

Offline nanda007

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Read the entire discussion. Doesn't quite answer my questions but useful info for sure. Thanks!

I decided to have a local shop look into it after removing the outer spokes once again, correcting the angles and nipple seats then re-spoking the wheel. As of now, the only question I have is whether or not the rim has to be centered to the hub when truing? Just in case if the mechanic asks it. Since it is important to know for proper truing and fitment. I shouldn't expect him to know that since it is a custom job (pairing HD rim to Honda hub).

Offline Xnavylfr

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My HD rim is laced center to hub and the picture of the rear wheel you have the spokes are NOT laced correctly!!
On the chain side=the outside spokes lean forward and the inside spokes lean backwards.
On the brake side=the outside spokes lean backwards and the inside spokes lean forward.
This is a 4cross pattern

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)
« Last Edit: April 22, 2013, 12:53:14 PM by Xnavylfr »

Offline Stev-o

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Chuck has a good point.  I wouldn't buy spokes anywhere but Buch's...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline nanda007

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I followed exactly the OEM wheels pattern. The original spokes even left marks on the hub surface which was easy to trace and lace them the same way.

Are you saying my wheel should be laced like described below?
"On the chain side=the outside spokes lean forward and the inside spokes lean backwards.
On the brake side=the outside spokes lean backwards and the inside spokes lean forward."

BTW - my spokes are laced 4 holes apart as well. Please see attached pix and confirm if you still think they are laced incorrectly. I almost think you got tricked by the image angle. Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.

Offline Xnavylfr

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YES!! to your question!!
On the chain side the outside spokes lean forward and inside spokes lean aft!
On the brake side the outside spokes leanaft and the inside spokes lean forward!!


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)
« Last Edit: April 22, 2013, 12:55:30 PM by Xnavylfr »

Offline nanda007

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Thanks for taking time and confirming it for me.

I plan to take the wheel to Motorcycle Shop (specialized in vintage motorcycles) for advice. Most likely I'll end up removing the outer spokes in attempt to correct angle of each nipple, then drop off the wheel for truing.

See - I was going to true the wheels myself but since there is no play left after lacing spokes it makes sense having pros do that. I wont have a feel for it which could end up in spokes being too tight and snapping eventually.

Will post my results. Thanks again!

Offline Xnavylfr

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ALL spokes need to be reversed INSIDE and OUTSIDE!!


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

Offline Dream750

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Re: Advice needed on lacing/truing wheels
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2013, 06:11:37 AM »
Here’s a good wheel lacing article from days gone by:

http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/articles/lacing_hub/page1.html