Topic: how rusty is too rusty?

[j-conn]

How rusty is too rusty when it comes to spokes?
Im alittle worried bout mine. (pics coming in next day)

and

ive built several bicycle wheelsets from ground up (lacing, trueing, diff patterns too). is it much different when it comes to truing the wheels on a moto? how much is it to have a shop true/balance a set?

[Steve F]

I was quoted 2 hrs. per wheel to true and balance, and at about $50 to $60/hr. shop rate, I think I could learn how to do it, and I did.  Just takes time and persistence.

[Bob Wessner]

This, from the FAQ section might be of some help.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=368.msg205745#msg205745

[j-conn]

thx.

[goon 1492]

 I bet its similar to bicycle wheels, I too learned on bike wheels when I was a kid. Really screwded up on eht first two wheels I did, then backed off all the nuts and figured out really quick the patterns to follow and how much to thread each spoke, and this was all just by feel too, I will feel spoiled if I can get a spoke torque wrench.....
I have a 16in wheel and a 19in wheel and the 16's nuts are toast so this one will put me to the test when I can afford to buy spokes.

[gerhed]

How rusty is too rusty when it comes to spokes?
Im alittle worried bout mine. (pics coming in next day)

and

ive built several bicycle wheelsets from ground up (lacing, trueing, diff patterns too). is it much different when it comes to truing the wheels on a moto? how much is it to have a shop true/balance a set?

This is too rusty
<a href="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u251/gearheaded_photos/t00rusty.swf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u251/gearheaded_photos/t00rusty.swf</a>

[j-conn]

.

[andy750]

Too rusty is when they snap (pinging sound) when you are 2-up and riding down the highway at 80mph from NYC to Knoxville, TN. Too rusty is when the rear wheel collapses and you have to ask your passenger to get off the bike....  

cheers
Andy

[goon 1492]

.

Holy oxidation batman!!!!!

[tygrant]

Where are all those bikes underwater in that picture? howd they get there

Edit: found it, this is pretty cool http://www.scorpionfish.co.uk/photography/SS_Thistlegorm_g87.html

[Bob Wessner]

Interesting. Too bad they couldn't get to her sooner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Thistlegorm

[cbr-eric]

wow, what a shame!  and that poor honda in the first pic.... think someone saved it??

[gerhed]

wow, what a shame!  and that poor honda in the first pic.... think someone saved it??

My information is that it was restored to "like new"--no pics though.

[cbr-eric]

really? holy dedication!   we need to get some pics of that, has to be the most amazing before and after pics lol!! need a vin verification to be sure it is true

[754]

That Honda is not too bad...If you ever want to work on older bikes, like 40,s and down, you would jump at a pile of parts in that condition.

I bought a set of forks for 16-19 HD, bottom of one leg rotted right through, freeze cracks in tubing, triple tree sections cracked all over, top of legs were bars go on, heavy pitting, and on and on like that..

bent broken cracked,, still went for over 200 bux, but if it was the earlier one that I actually need it would be double or more.

Restoring or finding parts for 70,s bikes is still easy, and there is still an untapped supply.. but I will tell you right now, grab what you can, cuz it will never get easier or cheaper..

[bryanj]

Use the link to rebuild BUT after you put the first 20 spokes in set it up and true the rim before fitting the 2nd 20, its a lot easier for a "novice to true on 20 rether tha 40.

Also inspect the rim carefully and note where the joining weld mark is as there will always be an untrueable "kick" there so donr even attempt to get it out

[Old Scrambler]

I have restored several 1960s HONDA CL77s.  One 1966 model was found beneath a tarp in the gutter of an old dairy barn. It was very rusty....similar to the CA92 in another reply.  I removed the spokes from both wheels and lightly brushed (steel -brush wheel) the rust to inspect for serious pitting. If I could see or feel pits, I through them out and replaced with clean spokes from other wheels. I then sent them to a plater to have new zink applied to look like new.  I used new nipples to get the best thread contact. I also used thin brass washers on the nipples to add a gasket to the spoke-holes because the steel wheels were also showing surface rust.

I put about 2,000 miles on that bike and then sold it to a collector.  Never had a wheel problem now going on 5 years. I often find small sets of spokes with nipples on ebay for small money.  They are usually sold in original 10-packs.  I think about spokes as if I had to pass a tech-inspection at the race track.  A rust-pitted spoke means steel is missing and the strength of the spoke is less than it should be.  As they say....keep the shiny side up!  Dennis in Wisconsin