wheel re-building

[elliottles1]

Folks,

This may be a wild stab in the dark, but, would it be possible to re-spoke a wheel by replacing one of the original spokes at a time and making sure that the tension is the same as the original in every case?

cheers
les.

[rodneya]

Probably not, some spokes need others moved out of the way before you can get them in or out.
If you could get them all in it would most likely need to be trued after anyway.

[oxford]

I don't think that's going to work.  Building a wheel really isn't that hard, just takes a little time.  You really don't need a stand or an indicator to do it,!just put the wheel back in the bike and a couple of sticks to use as pointers to get it straight.

Biggest thing is getting a good quality wrench for the nipples.

[Diablo007]

There are good videos on youtube regarding building spoked wheels that will save you a lot of time and frustration.  Most important thing is to have quality spokes from a quality supplier.  If you have mismatched spokes they may not all be the same.  That will result in making it harder to true, watch the videos as the good ones explain this.  I have used NOS Yamaha and Buchannan's.  Both worked well.

[Plasticman]

I just built a new wire wheel for my RD400.  It wasn't that hard to do once I figured it out.  +1 on getting the right tool for the nipples and using the motorcycle as the "stand".  I'm a tool junkie, so I bought a stand, spoke tool and spoke torque wrench.

Rob

[oxford]

I'm a tool junkie, so I bought a stand

I have a very nice stand I built and still ended up using the bike for the set I did in the rd. 

[Djg8493]

This is the dial indicator that I use, it can be used with a stand or on the bike, just set the magnet to something close.  It really makes the process a little faster.  You can probably set it up to check timing as well but I havent tried to fit it in there yet. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JU18A0Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Evans Ward]

For those can can master wheel lacing, you are saving about $200 per wheel labor not counting parts. This is wheels brought in off the bike.  How do I know? I just had my GT750 wheels relaced with new OEM spokes at my local dealership. At least, I'm supporting my local motorcycle shop...   

[Barrie]

Before you strip a wheel take a picture of the lacing pattern .Start the re lacing by fitting the correct spokes to the inside and outside of the hub, once you have the first few spokes placed into the rim it all starts to fall in place, as i stated first as long as you have a picture of the lacing pattern you are safe.

[bitzz]

For those can can master wheel lacing, you are saving about $200 per wheel labor not counting parts. This is wheels brought in off the bike.  How do I know? I just had my GT750 wheels relaced with new OEM spokes at my local dealership. At least, I'm supporting my local motorcycle shop...   

Buchanan wants $112 to lace and true a wheel
http://www.buchananspokes.com/categories/labor.asp
Nothing against your local shop, but I'll take Buchanan for half the price Alex.

[Evans Ward]

For those can can master wheel lacing, you are saving about $200 per wheel labor not counting parts. This is wheels brought in off the bike.  How do I know? I just had my GT750 wheels relaced with new OEM spokes at my local dealership. At least, I'm supporting my local motorcycle shop...   

Buchanan wants $112 to lace and true a wheel
http://www.buchananspokes.com/categories/labor.asp
Nothing against your local shop, but I'll take Buchanan for half the price Alex.

Plus cost of shipping wheels each way too so not as much as a good deal. I like to try and support local business when I can but do know Buchanan is the best!

[rodneya]

For those can can master wheel lacing, you are saving about $200 per wheel labor not counting parts. This is wheels brought in off the bike.  How do I know? I just had my GT750 wheels relaced with new OEM spokes at my local dealership. At least, I'm supporting my local motorcycle shop...   

My local dealers wont even touch a bike over 10 years old. The last time I tried to buy parts from the stealership the parts guy couldnt tell the difference between a YZ250 and a YZ250F, or a clutch side crank seal and the stator cover gasket. Now I order parts online and teach myself how to do stuff.

[Djg8493]

For those can can master wheel lacing, you are saving about $200 per wheel labor not counting parts. This is wheels brought in off the bike.  How do I know? I just had my GT750 wheels relaced with new OEM spokes at my local dealership. At least, I'm supporting my local motorcycle shop...   

My local dealers wont even touch a bike over 10 years old. The last time I tried to buy parts from the stealership the parts guy couldnt tell the difference between a YZ250 and a YZ250F, or a clutch side crank seal and the stator cover gasket. Now I order parts online and teach myself how to do stuff.

I agree this is generally true of many larger dealerships, there are still local shops that care about old bikes and keeping them on the road.  The shop I worked at in college focused on bikes that were turned away from the local dealers and they have been in business for over 40 years.  The knowledge inside that building has not only helped me learn but also gotten me out of many jams.  It is important that people like us support them when we can or they will not survive.  I wont say that I don't order parts online out of convenience but I also try to push as much business to the local shops as I can.  (it's nice to have them deal with tire changes as well:))

[Diablo007]

^^^^^

+1 on tire changes

[elliottles1]

Folks,

been away for a couple of days. Wow, what a response, many thanks for all the inputs. i will give rebuilding a go.

cheers
les