Spoke question

[Skipelmore]

Am I incorrect in thinking that spokes will be a little long and you trim and grind them once you finished making the wheel true? Also what is the difference between steel rim spokes and aluminum rim spokes?

[ExplodingCoffinEmporium]

Am I incorrect in thinking that spokes will be a little long and you trim and grind them once you finished making the wheel true? Also what is the difference between steel rim spokes and aluminum rim spokes?

I’m going to take this is a serious post and assume your not trolling us. Use steel spokes and no you do not grind or trim spokes, install the correct spokes in the correct manner and there shouldn’t be any issues.

[JBinNC]

I’m going to take this is a serious post and assume your not trolling us. Use steel spokes and no you do not grind or trim spokes, install the correct spokes in the correct manner and there shouldn’t be any issues.

I will take exception to this answer.

I have been using Buchanan's spokes for 4 decades, and I think they know a thing or two.

In most cases, once the wheel is trued and the spokes tightened, the end of the spoke will protrude through the nipple. It needs to be ground off flush. Buchanan's includes this step in their instructions.

The difference in steel and aluminum rims is that the aluminum is of course much thicker and may need a slightly longer spoke. Note too, that rims have different cross-sectional shapes, and that means you may need different spokes for different style rims, even if the rim size is the same.

I would recommend Buchanan's to ANYONE who needs spokes for a motorcycle (or automobile) wheel.

Jim

[Skipelmore]

Im not trolling. I am wondering cause I got these spokes off of JP cycles they said for 18" rim. The spokes I took out of the wheel measured 7&7/8" the new ones measured 8". The package also said for aluminum rim while the ones I selected said for steel rim.

[Skipelmore]

Thanks. This helps a lot.

[JBinNC]

I think you will be fine with a 1/8" longer spoke. Sometimes you have to try different sets to get one that truly fits. I ran into this trying to spoke the '30s style 18" H-D rims. I think I finally hit it on the third spoke set. (These did not come from Buchanan's. If they had, they would have fit first try.)

With the right spoke, the nipple does not bottom on the threads, and no threads will be showing on the spoke once tightened.

Jim

[flatman]

They also make longer nipples (insert joke here) for to short of a spoke. Not ideal, cause you want the spoke to go all the way to the rim, but it is an option.

[toglhot]

That would depend on the bike and the spoke manufacturer: Most manufacturers make spokes for the popular bikes, so the spoke should be the right length. However if the spokes have been ordered by length and not by bike you will probably have to trim some off.

[Skipelmore]

Thanks for the advice.

[ExplodingCoffinEmporium]

Im not trolling. I am wondering cause I got these spokes off of JP cycles[ATTACH=CONFIG]109093[/ATTACH] they said for 18" rim. The spokes I took out of the wheel measured 7&7/8" the new ones measured 8". The package also said for aluminum rim while the ones I selected said for steel rim.

Thanks JB that is a good piece of info. I’ve done a few sets of wheel rebuilds and either have gotten lucky or more than likely have always bought upper end spoke sets, so I’ve never actually had to trim a spoke down. Learn something new everyday as honestly I’d probably be pissed and have sent a set back due to that issue. Skipelmore, my apologies, wasn’t meaning to call you out as well and glad JB could give you more accurate info.