11-06-2022, 02:47 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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Megadan scared me
Ever since I read that thread about tightening spokes, now I’m worrying about it.
When I play the harp on my spokes, some of them sound kind of lower. Quite a bit lower. They are not loose really, but they are low pitch. How do I know when to tighten these? And how much to tighten them? I don’t want to put my rim out of true. It was beautifully balanced and trued at Woody’s wheel works in Colorado. That famous place. I just happen to be nearby and was getting sick of it wobbling. I had also bent it a little bit by tipping over the bike in a carrier rack. The wheel stuck in the rack and held the bike up. So that wasn’t too nice. But they were able to true it and get it all back perfect. Now that some of them sound a little flat, all I can think about is that wheel taco post that Megadan made. Any advice on how much to tighten and how to tighten so that I don’t screw up the wheel? I do not currently have a garage or a shop of any kind. I have a little wrench and a lot of hope. Lol
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2020 Lifan x-pect Last edited by Boatguy; 11-06-2022 at 04:21 PM. |
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11-06-2022, 03:58 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 994
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I didn't have any that felt loose, and they all made a musical tone. I did start at the first spoke before the valve, so I knew were I started, and just barely gave them a little turn .I now have a spoke wrench, but I used a real small Crescent wrench on my front rim, and it was a little bit of a nuisance, but not too bad . I didn't use much pressure, and went around and snugged them most made a little chatter noise, and already seemed pretty snug, but a few were quite, and more free. I then went around in a pattern of skipping 2 like I saw on YouTube, and just basically put about the same light pressure on them all , and if one didn't turn under the pressure, I didn't force it, but on the ones that would, I gave just a slight rotation. I repeated this step , starting at the next spoke from the valve each time till they felt good. I was a little afraid that I may have over tightened them, because I am a worrier. When my spoke wrench came, I used it on the back. It has a flat spot in the center of the handle, about 2" from the head, and that's about were I put pressure. I still worry that I may have over tightened them, but I have ridden the bike enough since that I think I'm OK. I hope someone experienced chimes in, and give you, and me a better idea idea of how to get a good feel on the tightening. You probably already know, but turning the nipple counterclockwise tighten them.
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11-06-2022, 04:20 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: odessa MO; donna TX
Posts: 152
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What Bill Hilly said. I would add I start at the valve stem, tighten and count 7 spokes, and repeat the process. The reason for 7 spokes is that tightening spokes this far apart has a tendency to NOT disturb rim out of round or unbalanced. As you go around you'll see you're going from side to side of the rim, further minimizing chances of distortion. Don't go crazy on tension at first, just a couple flats as you proceed around the rim. Listen for the "music". Good luck.
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11-07-2022, 01:51 PM | #4 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Quote:
As for basic spoke maintenance just search youtube and you will find endless videos on how to do it. Many of them will show spoke torque wrenches but you don't need one.
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11-07-2022, 02:40 PM | #6 |
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11-07-2022, 03:22 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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What can I say, I'm just built scary lol
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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11-07-2022, 06:28 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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Ha ha ha ha ha. You guys are hilarious
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2020 Lifan x-pect |
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11-07-2022, 06:32 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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Here is some more spoke fear I saw. More like a donut than a taco but still looks no bueno
https://motorbikewriter.com/crash-pr...d-wheel-probe/
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2020 Lifan x-pect |
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11-09-2022, 01:13 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Dayton Pa.
Posts: 941
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scared me not ,never had a spoke problem.some people just worry !
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11-09-2022, 10:11 AM | #11 |
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 100
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Maybe a little pricey, but there is a way to take the guess work out of spoke tuning.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077H3S551 |
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