- Joined
- Aug 28, 2022
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- 26
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I am always learning something when it comes to the rectification of this 73 850 Commando. Today I discovered that the front wheel may be laced incorrectly. Yesterday, I found out that when the brake caliper was moved to the left side, the front fender had to be installed backwards to clear. I never noticed it and I’ve had the bike since 1992 or so. Granted, it has been in the barn since 1996 but still…..
I am about to re-lace the wheel after polishing the bits and before I begin, I do a little web research for tips and I find this article :
http://vintagebikemagazine.com/technical-articles/lacing-norton-front-disc-rim-06-1951/
This is when I discover my wheel’s non disc side outside spokes are not where they should be. They are on the inside! Makes for a nice looking hub though. I think I should be able to install them correctly and bend them a bit but that may alter the length. My other thought was to buy a new set of spokes, but my wheel is an 18” Akront and I am having trouble locating a disc brake 18” set. Buchanan’s only list the 19” wheel set. I suppose I could call them but thought I’d ask here for options.
The photos below show the wheel as removed. The large bolt in the valve stem hole is for my visualization when re-lacing the wheel. The picture of the bike is from 1995 when I had done a bit of cosmetic work. It shows the front fender mounted backwards to clear the brake caliper. I had acquired the bike from the original owner’s woodshed with the caliper already in that location. It is only recently I realized it was originally intended to be on the right.
I am about to re-lace the wheel after polishing the bits and before I begin, I do a little web research for tips and I find this article :
http://vintagebikemagazine.com/technical-articles/lacing-norton-front-disc-rim-06-1951/
This is when I discover my wheel’s non disc side outside spokes are not where they should be. They are on the inside! Makes for a nice looking hub though. I think I should be able to install them correctly and bend them a bit but that may alter the length. My other thought was to buy a new set of spokes, but my wheel is an 18” Akront and I am having trouble locating a disc brake 18” set. Buchanan’s only list the 19” wheel set. I suppose I could call them but thought I’d ask here for options.
The photos below show the wheel as removed. The large bolt in the valve stem hole is for my visualization when re-lacing the wheel. The picture of the bike is from 1995 when I had done a bit of cosmetic work. It shows the front fender mounted backwards to clear the brake caliper. I had acquired the bike from the original owner’s woodshed with the caliper already in that location. It is only recently I realized it was originally intended to be on the right.