Topic: Best option for replacing OEM spoke nipple?

[gregripko]

Cb550k 76


The nipple got pretty rounded off during its life making adjustments pretty impossible..... Are these a generic item? Or will I have to hunt for them? Have the tire off so it would be nice to replace now... (Rear wheel)

[Old Scrambler]

Very generic to the 68 and newer 'big-bike' models................some variation in the color of the yellow zinc.

[gregripko]

Ok so I can't get the spoke nipple off :/

Ugh..... It's super rusted on the nipple part..... Is it possible to just cut the spoke and it'll come out? Will it be hard to replace the one spoke? (Do I have to remove other spokes to replace it?)

Also.... Cb550 has two different spokes on the rear.... A and B..... Which is the inside and which is the outside? This one happens to connect in the inside rather than outside

[gregripko]

Ok so I was forced to cut spoke.... Is there a trick to replacing them? Seems like other spokes would be in the way

[Vinhead1957]

No trick just make sure you have the right one . There are inside and outside ones they have different heads. Be careful not to scratch the rim.

[gregripko]

I've never replaced a spoke... I guess I'm confused... I assume it's like threading a needle with the screw side going through the hub first but it'll run into the other spokes :/

My guess is that I'll have to remove all the spokes in order to install this spoke... (Hope isn't the case)

[Vinhead1957]

No just the one, with a little bending. 

[gregripko]

The inner ones would have to bend tremendously

[goldarrow]

Use bolt cutter and cut off old spoke

[gregripko]

I removed it already....just figuring out the best approach to lacing the one without having to remove all of the spokes as it's an inner spoke

[heyitsrama]

You can flex the spoke to a certain extent to have it fit in, but the inside ones are a pain in the ass, at least you removed it. heard about stories where the spoke shoots into the inner rubber. how many spokes do you really need? 

I have an old set of nipples, and spokes for a cb500 somewhere, lemme know if you need some?

[gregripko]

I ordered a couple spokes already and hopefully I don't have issues with any others.... Yes after examining the wheels I wish an outer one would have been the issue rather than the inner....

Feel like I may be able to take off a couple to have it fit without bending it too much but def going. To avoid forcing stuff

[Maurice]

There is one particular spoke (well, one kind) that could cause trouble because another spoke is in the way... I forget which one sorry, but you may have encountered that one. If that is the case all it takes is removing the spoke that is in the way. In other words, to install that one spoke you need to remove another one.

Sounds confusing but when you get there you'll understand.

This begs the question, if that one nipple was in such a bad shape and rusted, what about the other spokes?

[gregripko]

The other ones seem ok.... It appears at some point moisture got into the rim and most likely settled to its lowest point and rusted... The nipple was smoothed out so a po must have encountered it but neglected to address the issue leaving one spoke inadjustable