Wheel Spoke Maintenance

[tomatocity]

Here is a link to one on Amazon.

I got mine at Lowes also for $6.00

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-80443-8-Inch-Drive-Socket/dp/B002YKFI9C/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1314716083&sr=1-5

This I understand. I did not understand 'long 5mm bit' and thought I was missing a specialty tool.

The harder stiffer Long Ball Hex Bit Socket the better. I have a set from Harbor Freight and they flex a lot and the metal is softer and the ball can lose its grip. Not good for setting torque. Lowe's has quality tools as Craftsman, SnapOn, etc does.

 

[SpeedStar]

I saw the ones at Harbor. The Lowes bit is much better quality.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Threadus resurrectus- thanks for the info. I ponder a Teneré from time to time. And the spoked wheels strike terror in my heart. Any info is good info.

 

[gunslinger_006]

I just did all 64 spokes and 42 of them needed snugged up to the factory 6NM (53.1 inch pounds). 10,000 miles on the bike and this was the first time i checked them (my mistake on that but my riding is mostly street). The runout was good before and after this adjustment.

I sequentially labeled the 8 hubs on each wheel and then used a star pattern around each side to make sure the wheel stayed true: 1, 5, 3, 7, 2, 6, 4, 8.

This takes a while but it was easy and my wheels are true. No wobbles or strange runout. I also checked the rims for cracks all around and nothing.

Tools:

4.5” 5mm ball end hex socket
Torque wrench that does 20-200 inch pounds
Silver sharpie to label the hubs

 

[OldRider]

Should have used 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 then you could have got the official shirt.


.

.. shirt!!!

 

[gunslinger_006]

Oh man yes i kinda need that shirt

 

[ballisticexchris]

For the spokes you want to use a very high quality hex bit. Cheap ones will strip out the nipples. Tools on board my bike are the best I can afford. I only use the Hazet 5mm Screwdriver Socket, 1/4" Drive, HZ8501-5 for my spokes.

 

[gunslinger_006]

Yeah that looks like an excellent bit. I still have a nice set of us made SK bits from my father that are probably the best ones i own.

 

[RonH]

I like the Hazet tools. German made tools are some of the best. For the spokes though, the torque value is pretty low so most any decent tool works fine. I generally hate ball end hex tools, but for the spokes a ball end helps in getting the right angle to get in there. I got a long ball end hex bit from Lowes and it works fine. I pressed off the 3/8" drive, and put on a 1/4" drive and that made it pretty good for the job.

 

[OldRider]

Oh man yes i kinda need that shirt

Amazon.

 

[Top Ten]

"Long 5mm bit". Not sure what tool this is. Photo or link?

 

[gunslinger_006]

This set works but as ballistic pointed out, it mau be worth putting a very high quality bit on the end of an extension.

But here, this set works for sure:


Neiko 10243A 3/8” Drive Extra Long Ball End Hex Bit Socket Set, Metric, 3mm to 10mm | 7-Piece Set, S2 and Cr-V Steel, 4-1/4 Inch Length https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01LZFTS5D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YlSjFb13XN5SP