Rims and Spokes for a Roadster?

DogT said:

Everything I've gotten from Walridge is from Lucan, Ont.

T95, re-lacing the wheels is about a 3 hour project if you have never done it before. Just take plenty of notes, pictures, measure the offsets hub to rim and have a go at it. If you like putting things together, it's actually kinda fun.

Dave
69S

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Dave,
I have built a couple dozen bicycle wheels so I should be able to transfer some of that knowledge. The issue will be correctly tensioning the MC spokes and most hand built wheels are done by tone. I did a test and tapped on my spokes yesterday and they were all really flat. Those skinny bike spokes have a much higher pitch.

I know you will appreciate this. I moved my bike yesterday so I can start the disassembly. Yes! It felt good having my legs around her again.

The spokes need to be as tight as possible while watching the dial gauge or wire feeler gap. Once aligned then you go back and tighten/slacken each spoke row in turn to get similar tone > while watching dial gauge. I tried it the other way, getting aligned -then just going for even tone but it pulled rim back out of true. Took a few more days of a few hours per night to get both tone and alignment even as possible for me. Trial and error took me weeks per rim. ugh. There are formulas of tightening each 4th spoke with the logic that this counters the tug to self center but that only works up to mildly tight then for me its only direct feed back by gauge/wire to work up tight and true. Very tedious meditative I am glad I learned but never want to do it again.

I see Central Wheel Company sells direct to the public. Any experience out there with buying direct!

rvich said:

Waldridge isn't in North America! They are in Canada!

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I thought Canada is in North America, along with US, Alaska and Mexico, although I realize our Canadian brothers don't want to be called 'American'.

Dave
69S

T95 said:

I see Central Wheel Company sells direct to the public. Any experience out there with buying direct!

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You could but you would get reamed on postage from the UK. Walridge imports a cargo container of bikes parts from the UK every month. You may have to wait for said container to arrive in southern Ontario but you will pay a much smaller freight charge than buying direct from CWC.

T95 said:

Now I am confused once again. Your the owner of several pairs of chromed rims supplied by Waldridge. You told me your happy with the quality and yet Buchanan's is your tout. Yikes!
You have given me allot of helpful information and I appreciate it. I think I'll give both vendors a call before I make a purchase. Did you build your own wheels and if so were there any issues with the rims being round?

What is the preference for spoke nipple combinations. When using stainless spokes is it better to stay with stainless nipples or nickel chrome?

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Sorry for being vague. Yes, I have bought three sets of CWC Chrome rims from Walridge and yes, I am perfectly happy with the quality. For the first set I bought about 6 years ago, I had Walridge's wheel builder (supposedly an ace) lace a set of wheels for a 72 Triumph TR6C. I wasn't completely happy with the results as the rear rim was not quite the correct drilling pattern for the conical hub used on these bikes and the builder didn't get the offset on the front quite right either. Offset is also VERY important for Commando wheels. So due to all these hassles, I decided to learn how to build my own wheels and I really enjoy doing it. It's not that hard. So, the last two sets of CWC rims, stainless spokes and nickel nipples have been provided by Walridge but I built the wheels. I have had no problems with any of these rims being out of round. Is this more clear?

All I was trying to say regarding Buchanan' was if you don't want to build your own wheels, have them build them for you. They will get the drilling patterns and offsets correct. There seems to be a pretty clear consensus that they are the best and they know wheels for British bikes. I have heard a ton of stories like "I had so and so build me a set of wheels and they were all f^%cked up and I ended up sending them to Buchanan's to sort out the mess". If you don't want to bother with wheel building, and you want it done right, get Buchanan's to do it.

I have always used the nickel-plated nipples

Hopefully I have sorted out the confusion that I have created!!

Tobin

hobot said:

Waldridge isn't in North America! They are in Canada!

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Yes but they have a branch to ship from withing the United Stated.

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No I don't think so. I believe you are thinking of British Cycle Supply in Nova Scotia. They have a warehouse in New Joysey

DogT said:

rvich said:

Waldridge isn't in North America! They are in Canada!

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I thought Canada is in North America, along with US, Alaska and Mexico, although I realize our Canadian brothers don't want to be called 'American'.

Dave
69S

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We tried to kick the US out of North America a while back. Remember the movement to try to limit US imperialism in North America and the chant "US Out of North America"? The movement never seemed to pick up much momentum unfortunately :wink:

Offset is also VERY important for Commando wheels. So due to all these hassles, I decided to learn how to build my own wheels and I really enjoy doing it. It's not that hard. So, the last two sets of CWC rims, stainless spokes and nickel nipples have been provided by Walridge but I built the wheels. I have had no problems with any of these rims being out of round. Is this more clear?

So this whole or should I say hole drilling issue is concerning. I know there is an endless variety of rims out there, but the Commando's sported a relative small variety of stock hub/rims combinations. One would think if you provided the correct model and year one would receive a correctly drilled rim. In my case the 71 with drums must be common enough as many suppliers offer both rims and spoke set for them. On the other hand I have read the complaints. From the guy in the shipping department perspective I am sure one rim looks like the next! Stay tuned to see if I have any regrets!

All I was trying to say regarding Buchanan' was if you don't want to build your own wheels, have them build them for you.


If I was not going to do it myself they would be my first stop!


I have always used the nickel-plated nipples

Thanks

Hopefully I have sorted out the confusion that I have created!!

Completely!

Tobin[/quote]

tpeever said:

T95 said:

I see Central Wheel Company sells direct to the public. Any experience out there with buying direct!

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You could but you would get reamed on postage from the UK. Walridge imports a cargo container of bikes parts from the UK every month. You may have to wait for said container to arrive in southern Ontario but you will pay a much smaller freight charge than buying direct from CWC.

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The rate was $55-US, for two rims and the spokes. Not totally out of line.

T95,
The rims and spokes I got from Walridge were perfect. Mike knows what you need. No problems with the holes, drillings, etc. Everything looked like an exact replacement for the original parts I had on my front and rear drum brake '69. Like I said before, all I had to do was adjust the bend on the necks of the spokes sharper for the rear wheel for some reason. You might want to check the run-out and out-of-round on your originals to start with. You will most likely do much better with the new ones. It's best as a final thing to put them on the bike and make sure the rims are centered on the center line of the bike, the line directly in the center of the steering head following the center of the spine. PM me if you need help there, or you can check out my Phantom thread, I think I explained it all there. It's really not hard, just how anal you want to get.

If you don't want to do it, just buy them from Buchannan's, but most likely they will still not be centered on the spine, each bike has it's quirks. The disk braked wheels are a totally different animal.

Dave
69S

Why nickel plated nipples instead of stainless with the stainless spokes? Galling on the threads? Better match to the rim?

Russ

rvich said:

Why nickel plated nipples instead of stainless with the stainless spokes? Galling on the threads? Better match to the rim?

Russ

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Dunno, that's just what they sent me!!

I don't know, upon closer inspection, I am thinking my rims are just fine!

Waldridge sent a reply to my question about different rim weights. Buchanans has not as of yet.

"British Chrome and Italian Chrome: WM2/18 4.8lbs, WM3/18 5.2lbs, WM2/19 5lbs, WM3/19 6.6lbs.

Non-flanged alloy and stainless steel rims – approx the same as chrome.

Flanged alloy rims approx 15% less.

You would have to determine the type according to the purpose. Chrome obviously as original, stainless look like original and won’t rust, alloy generally for competition – flanged for racing or race look, non-flanged for trials or motocross.

Mike"

rvich said:

Waldridge sent a reply to my question about different rim weights. Buchanans has not as of yet.

Mike"

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It's intresting I also asked Waldridge two questions about the rims offerd on sale. That was last week, they never replied and now the sale is over. I guess they didn't need the buisness. Oh well now I have more time to figure out which way to go. I read some good arguments about a WM3 vs WM2front and rear. Then the of course the stainless vs aluminum debate. Realistically, I don't think I have enough riding experience at this point to appreciate the diffrence!

Probably too easy:
http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/SI%20Spokes&Rims.htm
British Chrome rims, plated spokes as original.

T95
FYI
Mike was at the Toronto Motorcycle show from the 7th to the 9th of this month. I was talking to him there and he mentioned that he was leaving for England the following week after the show. His Ladies (Staff) will leave technical questions to him so that is probably why Walridge has not responded. He will respond to your questions when he gets back and the dust settles.
Regards,
CNN

CanukNortonNut said:

T95
FYI
Mike was at the Toronto Motorcycle show from the 7th to the 9th of this month. I was talking to him there and he mentioned that he was leaving for England the following week after the show. His Ladies (Staff) will leave technical questions to him so that is probably why Walridge has not responded. He will respond to your questions when he gets back and the dust settles.
Regards,
CNN

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I got the standard e-mail that someone would reply, that just hasn't happened yet. Perfectly acceptable if he is busy.
Thanks, and I am sure Mike will appreciate your response as well.