Topic: lacing a wheel

[.RJ]

Yeah... that's the wrong lacing pattern - technically, you should have inside and outside spokes vs. all inside spokes. Looks like you got that squared away though!

They all go inside   i just had them in the wrong holes... somewhere.  Probably got it mixed up when I flipped the wheel over.

[chopstar500]

Yeah... that's the wrong lacing pattern - technically, you should have inside and outside spokes vs. all inside spokes. Looks like you got that squared away though!

They all go inside   i just had them in the wrong holes... somewhere.  Probably got it mixed up when I flipped the wheel over.

Everything that I've read in print (including posts on this site) indicates that lacing the rim with inners & outers is the correct way (the Honda Chopper Manual, instructions from Buchanan's 16" spoke kit, and the OE wheel is laced that way.) I have seen people who laced them all "in" - but I was always told that it was incorrect - despite the fact that they work when laced that way. Who really knows? 

[.RJ]

Everything that I've read in print (including posts on this site) indicates that lacing the rim with inners & outers is the correct way (the Honda Chopper Manual, instructions from Buchanan's 16" spoke kit, and the OE wheel is laced that way.)

I have a set of the buchanan spokes, and they lace inside/outside just like stock - the particular kit I have doesnt lace that way -  I tried it, there's just NFW it would work

[fuzzybutt]

is it possible? now that i have a front gl1000 wheel on the way (thanks dgfischer) i'm ready to do the changeover to the aluminum rins.

[6adan]

You can do it or you could get a rear wheel from a CB750A it is the same wheel as the GL1000 also I thank some later CB 750k have a 17" wheel.Dannie

[mrblasty]

I think in 77 the k had a 17 in. rear wheel, if I'm correct you could order those spokes and go about re-laceing your hub.

Good luck

[754]

Measure spoke l length first, but wurst case just buy  K7/8 spokes.. make sure though that ome rim is not drop center and the other flatter...

[Jinxracing]

I spoke to Buchanan's about the same issue...I've got a 17" GL1000 rim going on my CB750K hub. The guy at Buchanan's told me that it would require custom spokes. After doing a little research though, I agree with the poster above; I think CB750A spokes will do the trick. I can't say for sure though since I haven't actually done it yet.

Please post what you learn!

[eurban]

75/76 Gl1000 17" alloy DID rear rim is identical to the rear rim used on the spoked 750 automatics.  It is also basically an alloy version of the chromed steel 17" DID rims used on the 77 and 78 K bikes.  This means that the spokes for the autos and the 77/78ks are essentially the same and that either would work to lace a Gl hub to 77/78k or auto rear hub.  I have a set of Buchannon stainless spokes (for the 7778/Ks) on my current 78K rear hub with GL rim. What I don't know is if there is any difference, spoke attachment/location wise, between the 77k/78k/auto rear hubs and the earlier K hubs.  If they are essentially the same then use Buchannon's spokes for the 77/78Ks.  If not then you will need a custom set.  Usually the folks at Buchannons know their stuff but perhaps they weren't quite up to speed on this one?

[eurban]

DG, the GL 1000 hub is definitely different than the 750 hub so yes the spoke kits for mounting the harley rim (or the spokes for stock 17" wheel for that matter) to the each hub would be different.  However, the suggestion is not to use GL spokes but rather 77k/78k/auto spokes for mounting up the 17" GL rim on the 750 hub.  If you can find a spoked auto rear wheel then by all means get it but they are fairly rare.  Using the alloy Gl rim and lacing it your 750 hub would probably be more practical.  Like I said, I can guarantee you that the 17" GL rim will lace up to a 77/78 K hub using the stock 77/78K spokes (or Buchannon's equivalent).  If there is no functional difference in the spoke spacing or mounting style between the earlier and 77/78 750 hubs then the late spokes would work to mount the 17" GL rim on a pre 77 hub.

[fuzzybutt]

any suggestions on who to get the spokes from?

[paulages]

just did this one (cb550 hub) a few days ago-- i used the GL spokes, and they worked fine though the CB hub is about an inch smaller in diameter. the outer spokes don't seat quite fully on the hub end, but i think it makes plenty enough contact. i had a hell of a time sourcing GL spokes anywhere but buchanans, which will run you about $100, then my brother happened to have a spare GL wheel in his basement with SS spokes. joe wanted aluminum rims, so i laced both front and back to the goldwing rims.

[eurban]

any suggestions on who to get the spokes from?

Buchannons!  Or use OEM.  If you can find other aftermarket spokes for the 77/78K then that should work too.

Here's a pic of my 78K project's rear wheel.  Powdercoated black GL1000 rim with stainless Buchannon's  spokes.  The spokes are specced for the 77/78Ks . . .

[fuzzybutt]

so far all i've found is buchannons stainless spokes
i have a set of the cadmium plated fronts and was hoping to find a matching set for the rear

[grwmotocycles]

I checked with a local Honda dealer that handles NOS parts and they said the 17 inch spokes are discontinued from Honda.  So I do not know if any aftermarket makes them.  I purchased the 18 inch spokes for the rear because I am doing the swap, ( front GL rim Rear 76 750A rim)  which is a 17 rear and I am trying to work with a place to order a die to lengthen the threads a bit.      Geno

[fuzzybutt]

ken at the cycle exchange told me you used to be able to get thread rollers for spokes back in the 70's when guys would lace a smaller wheel onto their hubs. he hasnt seen any in a long time though.

[grwmotocycles]

Thanks for the heads up on the thread cutting.  Geno

[fuzzybutt]

yeah, if i had a spoke roller i'd just roll more threads onto a set of 18" wheel spokes and be done with it. someone on another forum suggested trying a set of spokes for a 16" wheel and having less of the nipple on the spoke but that doesnt sound feasible...........or safe.

[squirley]

Recently I purchased two sets of stainless spokes and nipples from buchanans.  I have always heard people say that they do good work and will make any spoke for you.  For my 550 project I ordered a set of harley 19" spokes for the front.  Usually they cost about 100 smackers, however, since I was lacing them to an aluminum harley rim and not a steel, they said they were custom spokes and once bought they wouldn't be returnable.  Not to mention, the price was bumped up to 140 bucks. I think it's fair enough that I found this a little upsetting, but went ahead and paid away.

I also ordered a set for the rear 18" aluminum hoop to a stock 550 hub.  I knew these would be considered custom as I wanted the upper spoke size to match that of the harely so it wouldn't look like I had small diameter spokes in the back and larger ones in the front.  I told them that I would be lacing it to an aluminum 3.5" wide rim, and that it needed to fit a 550 hub, and that I just wanted the upper spoke to narrow down to the same size as a harley gauge.  She assured me they do this all the time and that it was no problem.  I finally get them and start to lace the wheels. The diameter of the upper spoke match the harley well.  But sure enough, they don't fit the 550 hub, they made the hook diameter larger as well so the spokes hooks can't even enter the hub hole.  I gave them a call today and told the problem.  Before I could even finish my statement, the lady quickly interrupted and said " I told you they are non returnable." 
 
Short story long, I recieved the runaround as I was transfered to the wheel tech (who did understand what I wanted) but was then shuffled back to the front desk. Now they won't return the call.  Is it just me that feels that if you charge 140 dollars for spokes that you need to try and please the customer, especially if there was a mistake.  Even thought I felt that I made it pretty clear about what I wanted, if they are considered custom spokes, maybe they need to ask more questions so they don't confuse the task.  Anyhow, just a little upset and thought I'd vent a little.  I would like to say the rant is over, but I don't think it will be for a while at this rate.

[crazypj]

I always thought Buchanan's only wanted vintage car people as their prices have always been totally outrageous but the rich retards who spend 200,00 plus for a 5,000 car keep them going.
Bikes are obviously too much trouble 
 The cost is no different to roll a spoke thread, the only real difference is in material cost.
They pretty much have a captive market but are now so expensive is probably going to be real soon some Chinese company starts making stuff (they probably do already, for Buchanan's )
PJ

[squirley]

I have been lacing the wheels for my build up, and have some question regarding the rear.  They front went together very quickly and clean, however, the rear does not seem to want to lace correctly. 
I began lacing it like any other wheel, inner spokes first in a cross pattern.  Then started on the outer spokes.  When doing the outers, the lengths were way too short and didn't come close to reaching.  I despoked the wheel and started again to no avail
The last time, which is shown in the pic, shows the rim how I laced it again.  Started with both inner spokes in the same direction.  This seemed to work better, but although the outer spokes do have the right length, the angle is a little off.  So, my questions are

1)Is there a problem with lacing them this way
2)I have heard about there being rims that are nonstandard japanese, if this rim is one of those, is there a way to make these spokes fit better?

Thanks

[Tim.]

First off, what kind of rim is it, and where did you get the spokes?

[tsflstb]

I just saw your post after I sent the pm.  You're doing what I had to do with mine (inner spokes in the same direction).  How much is the outer spoke angle off?

Send your pics to Angel at Buchanans.  They may have messed up your hole pattern - if not he can probably steer you in the right direction.

[squirley]

Rim type: D.I.D.  40 hole, 18x3.5"
Sokes: Buchanans


Unfortunatley, Buchanans doesn't respond to my emails.  We had a slight dissagreement and a verbal conflict about spokes that were sent to me being incorrect and nonreturnable.

I got the outer spokes to start threading, but there is more contact between the nipple and rim than I would like when turning.  Should I go back and file down the openings in the rim to help get the angle that the spoke needs.
However, the inner spokes have about 1/4 to 1/2" more material protruding from the inside of the rim when the outer spokes are just starting to thread.

You can't really see in the pics, but there is a slight space between the nipple and rim hole were the nipple is biase to one side making it difficult to turn

[squirley]

The hub is stock, but the rim is not.
Dimensions are in the above post