3 Spokes down, should I keep on going?

EcuaSuperTenere

New Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
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2
Hey guys, first post here. Thanks everybody. This is my situation, It came to my attention that 3 spokes are missing from my rear wheel. Thing is I don't know when it happened. I contacted Yamaha for replacements, here in southamerica and will be getting new ones in a couple of weeks. MY PROBLEM is that I'm riding from Chile to Ecuador and I cannot stay here, I need to get the bike out of Perú because I'm on the limit for riding permit (customs). Need to get the bike out or it will be retained.

Bottom line, I need to do at least 1000kms to reach Ecuador, I'm loaded with side and top cases. I need to keep going, DO YOU THINK IS DANGEROUS? DO YOU THINK I CAN MAKE IT? Any riding tips? Thanks in advance.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
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Jun 20, 2015
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The load the missing spokes would have supported will now have to be distributed among the remaining ones, increasing the stress on them and the possibility for additional broken spokes. As you lose more and more spokes the possible failure rate will increase potentially to a catastrophic wheel failure with collateral damage to other components, not to mention injury. If there's any way to delay your trip I would try to do that
 

Nikolajsen

"Keep it simple"
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Jul 1, 2017
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Denmark
WJBertrand is correct.
But, if it was me in your situation, I would keep riding.
But if possible avoid the worst road condition. And no unnessary hard acceleration...
And check the remaining spokes very well at every stop.
 

RCinNC

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Aug 30, 2014
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North Carolina
I'd also recommend that you zip tie the points where the remaining spokes cross over each other. That way, if another one comes loose, at least you won't lose it and you'll be able to retighten it. If zip ties aren't handy, you can slice up sections of an old inner tube and tie those around the crossover points. Once you get replacement spokes, make sure you tie them all together at the crossover points.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Jul 21, 2018
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Swansea, Wales, UK
As has been said, zip tie the remaining spokes, keep moving, keep checking and keep looking for a wheel builder or a garage who may have some suitable spokes, not necessarily the correct Yamaha spokes, but spokes that compatible. There must be someone, somewhere down there who can help out.
 

EcuaSuperTenere

New Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
2
Thanks for all the answers guys. I need confidence that I can make it. I think that maybe I have ridden at least 2000 kms with the 3 spokes missing on hard andean mountain roads, since thats the last time I changed tires, and the shop would've told me.

My 2012 Super Tenere never ceases to amaze me.

Another option, can you loose some weight off the rear? Either move stuff forward, junk it or post it home ?
Yeah, trying to get rid of most of the stuff. I'll even send my partner by plane :) with some stuff. Will ride with the side cases only half full.



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OldRider

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Jun 7, 2013
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Western Kentucky
I would move some spokes around so the missing spokes are at 120*, 240* and 360* around the wheel. There are three different length spokes but they are so close in length that any spoke can be used in any location. Make sure and check the remaining spokes regularly and keep them tight.
 
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