Triumphrat

SWare · 12-04-2006

In a recent thread the comment was made that spokes should not touch. I noticed that the spokes on the sprocket side of the rear wheel do touch. The spokes on the other side do not. Wheel appears to spin true; do I have a problem? Also several can be tightened a quarter turn or so. Can you just tighten them all without a negative effect on the wheel?

Stan

MickMaguire · 12-05-2006

dont worry about them touching and dont whatever you do try to adjust them unless you know what you are doing. The nipples should not be wound up tight they are adjusters.

In order to true a spoked wheel you turn the nipples to move the rim of the wheel in relation to the hub. Not a job to be attempted without knowing exactly what you are doing.

jimmyj900 · 12-05-2006

I'll second what Mick said and add that a on a properly tuned set of spokes they all 'ring' to the same note when tapped with a plastic screwdriver handle.

Tight spokes ring at a higher note than loose spokes, but if they're too tight they can snap and if too loose they can bend or let the wheel go out of true. It's actually a fairly delicate balance.

The spokes shouldn't be touching each other but you'll need to take the wheel to a pro to get them set properly.

Check the local (small) motorcycle shops and see if they've got an expert on tap BEFORE you try adjusting them yourself. Experience.... :-D

Jim

Jodel · 12-05-2006

Although this link refers to an article about bicycle rather than motorcycle wheels, it provides a lot of useful information: Wheel building

jimmyj900 · 12-05-2006

I just took a look at Mutato's rear wheel and the spokes are touching on the sprocket side.

Factory defect or secret plan? :-D

Jim

SWare · 12-05-2006

Quote:

On 2006-12-05 15:47, jimmyj900 wrote:
I just took a look at Mutato's rear wheel and the spokes are touching on the sprocket side.

Factory defect or secret plan? :-D

Jim

Maybe to match the offset of the front wheel in the fork. But why?

If anyone else has the same situation, it has to be as intended.

Stan

MickMaguire · 12-06-2006

IIRC my rear wheel was the same from new - hence my saying dont worry about to too much. It was / is my guess that touching doesnt matter too much with stainless spokes so long as there is no real pressure involved which would lead to the spokes wearing or breaking .

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2006-12-06 07:15 ]

SWare · 12-06-2006

The touching spokes was part of the worry since that came up in a broken spoke thread. Also since they are touching on the one side and not on the other, does that mean the wheel is not centered on the hub? I mean, we are only talking a mm or two difference but is still interesting. Since yours was like that from new I'll not worry about it. Like the front wheel being offset in the fork bugs me but they are all like that so it obviously that way for a reason.

Stan

MickMaguire · 12-06-2006

my wheel was even though. I think I would check for straightness and trueness of the wheel - you shoudl be able to do a rough check of this by getting the wheel off the ground and spinning it close to a static reference pointer. If it is off then you need to find a wheel builder to true it up for you.

P.S. I may have been wrong about my spokes - it is a while now since I last saw the wheel. They may have just been extremely close, but I do seem to remember thinking on the issue of spokes touching. Memory isnt what it used to be :-D

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2006-12-06 09:58 ]

SWare · 12-11-2006

Using a screwdriver taped to a jack stand as an indicator, the wheel seems to be true. I realize checking with the tire mounted is not 100% especially considering my sophisticated test equipment. I could not visually detect any run-out or out of round condition. I still wonder if the wheel is offset on the hub a bit. I may take the wheel to a pro when it needs a tire.

I did notice that my tire is wearing unevenly again. Just as I describe in an earlier post but not all the way slick yet. This new AM23 has only been on for about 5k mi.

Old Post
:???:

Stan