Tenere Mikeal
New Member
When you guys tighten spokes, do you tighten one side and then then other? Or, go side to side as you work your way around the rim?
Spoke check order
- Thread starter Tenere Mikeal
- Start date
jbrown
Active Member
I just go around the rim checking the torque. In the 8 years I've had my bike, only 2 or 3 have needed any movement. If I saw actual loose spokes, I'd probably do a more balanced approach.
Absolutely everybody has a different technique, so take my post and every other with a grain of salt.
I do not work my way around the rim, as it can create an out of round condition. I also do not go left then right as it can "potato chip" the wheel.
As mentioned in this article, start by simply pinching the spokes where they cross and loose ones should be quickly obvious. As in the following video I'll then "ping" them with a small wrench or screwdriver and really dull ones usually need to be tightened but a lot of people can't tell the difference by ear. I make sure that if one is changed, I next go to the opposite side of the wheel to continue and don't go fully to the torque, taking it in steps, or you'll chase it forever.
Our spoke torques can be checked with an inch pound torque wrench and if you go that route, this ought to help.
www.motorcyclistonline.com
I do not work my way around the rim, as it can create an out of round condition. I also do not go left then right as it can "potato chip" the wheel.
As mentioned in this article, start by simply pinching the spokes where they cross and loose ones should be quickly obvious. As in the following video I'll then "ping" them with a small wrench or screwdriver and really dull ones usually need to be tightened but a lot of people can't tell the difference by ear. I make sure that if one is changed, I next go to the opposite side of the wheel to continue and don't go fully to the torque, taking it in steps, or you'll chase it forever.
Our spoke torques can be checked with an inch pound torque wrench and if you go that route, this ought to help.
Motorcycle Spoked-Wheel Maintenance
Unlike cast wheels, spoked-motorcycle wheels need to be maintained to ensure that they are functioning properly.
www.motorcyclistonline.com
gunslinger_006
Well-Known Member
I label the hubs on the wheel 1-8 then use a star pattern.
But on dirt bikes long ago we just did every third spoke. You go around the 32 spokes on each wheel three laps and you’re done.
But on dirt bikes long ago we just did every third spoke. You go around the 32 spokes on each wheel three laps and you’re done.
Same, but I have had a few more loose. There is nothing specified in the service manual relative to sequence, only the torque spec, and runout limits. Never had any change in the runout, but may adapt the star approach in the future just because it makes sense to maintain round.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
They make shirts for you to wear when tightening spokes so you will get it right. 
Top Ten
Active Member
This is how I check my spokes:
You have a total of 64 spokes on the bike, 32 on the front wheel and 32 on the back. You have 16 spokes on each side of each wheel, and of those 16 spokes, 8 face "clockwise" we'll say, and 8 face "counterclockwise."
I start on one side of a wheel, check clockwise spoke #1, mark it with a piece of chalk, then rotate the wheel 180 degrees and check the opposite clockwise spoke, #5, then rotate back to #2, then to #6, #3, #7, #4, and #8. It doesn't matter which spoke you designate as #1 as long as you keep track of where you are in the order based on where you started. Now, staying on the same side of the wheel, I do the same thing on the counterclockwise spokes. Having completed 16 spoke checks on one side of the wheel, I repeat the process on the other side of the wheel.
I noticed above that gunslinger and oldrider above is doing essentially the same process, except it is more of a "star" pattern. That works just as well or better. They are keeping track of which spokes they have checked while alternating which side of the wheel they are working on.
When I "check" a spoke, this is what I am doing. I use an extended 5mm hex bit and a torque wrench that will work at 53 inch/pounds. I loosen the spoke about half a turn, then tighten back to 53 in/lbs. I never have more than one spoke loose at any given time. I have tapped spokes with a wrench to hear their "tune" before, but I prefer a more objective means of evaluating their tightness.
You should also look for wheel damage, bent spokes, corrosion, etc. Maybe put zip ties on each intersection of spokes.
Once you've done it a coupe of times you can check all 64 spokes in 30 minutes easily.
You have a total of 64 spokes on the bike, 32 on the front wheel and 32 on the back. You have 16 spokes on each side of each wheel, and of those 16 spokes, 8 face "clockwise" we'll say, and 8 face "counterclockwise."
I start on one side of a wheel, check clockwise spoke #1, mark it with a piece of chalk, then rotate the wheel 180 degrees and check the opposite clockwise spoke, #5, then rotate back to #2, then to #6, #3, #7, #4, and #8. It doesn't matter which spoke you designate as #1 as long as you keep track of where you are in the order based on where you started. Now, staying on the same side of the wheel, I do the same thing on the counterclockwise spokes. Having completed 16 spoke checks on one side of the wheel, I repeat the process on the other side of the wheel.
I noticed above that gunslinger and oldrider above is doing essentially the same process, except it is more of a "star" pattern. That works just as well or better. They are keeping track of which spokes they have checked while alternating which side of the wheel they are working on.
When I "check" a spoke, this is what I am doing. I use an extended 5mm hex bit and a torque wrench that will work at 53 inch/pounds. I loosen the spoke about half a turn, then tighten back to 53 in/lbs. I never have more than one spoke loose at any given time. I have tapped spokes with a wrench to hear their "tune" before, but I prefer a more objective means of evaluating their tightness.
You should also look for wheel damage, bent spokes, corrosion, etc. Maybe put zip ties on each intersection of spokes.
Once you've done it a coupe of times you can check all 64 spokes in 30 minutes easily.
Last edited:
DarkLeftArm
New Member
Man I feel like a slacker here. I've had a 2012 since it was nearly new in 2013. I've ridden it about 30,000 miles and have never checked my spoke torque values. I have "pinged" them once in awhile, but never messed with them otherwise. I feel the need to check them properly with a torque wrench. Has anybody ever tried one of these gadgets? They seem to be aimed at gun maintenance, but look to me like it might be just the ticket.
store.fixitsticks.com
hope this link works....
Thanks
Bert
53 Inch Lbs Miniature Torque Limiter & Extended Bit Combo
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store.fixitsticks.com
hope this link works....
Thanks
Bert
R
RonH
Guest
Never used those, but it looks to be a good choice. Should work great on the spokes.