Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner Truing / Re-lacing Wheels

I'm considering de-lacing and having my rims powdercoated. Is it more advisable to re-lace the spokes myself and then have a shop true up the wheel afterwards or have them re-lace and true up? Or should I just have the whole rim powdercoated, spokes and all?

If you have a spoke wrench and you can follow a pattern relacing your wheel is a snap and truing is easy enough.

I made the same jig Ed did to do the wheels on my chopper except I used a nail through a hole and if the nail moved it wasn't right. I used a dial indicator 90º to that.

That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for Ed!! Thank you. Local shop quoted me $160 each wheel to re-lace and true each wheel!! After I get the rim powdercoated. I'll make a similar jig and my son wants to use it also for his dirtbike wheels.

Just be sure and take your time, that is a job you can't rush especially if it is your first time.

I used this primer as a guide:
http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/JAN06spokes1.pdf

for some reason when I first read this pdf I had to hand edit the url and change the digit (2~6) to find the rest of the pages. So page two is "JAN06spokes2.pdf" and so forth. Then when I had the tire mounted my friendly mechanic checked the truing and told me it was better than he usually managed..so I felt pretty good about that :-)

I trued mine up on the bike. That way you can be sure the rim has proper "dish", if any. In other words, the hub is not always centered, but the rim is.

I have done 3 wheels now for my speedmaster. Each time, I de-laced and re-laced the rim/hub. Re-lacing is kind of like a simple puzzle, once you figure out the pattern it is easy. My first two attempts at truing was done by a so-called British bike expert working out of his garage. His "shop" had a dozen different British bikes, in various states of repair. So I thought it was a safe bet. Ended up having to trouble shoot various issues on the bike that where related to rim being not quite true and not properly balanced. Over time I ended up taking all three wheels to the local Harley/Triumph shop and having them true/balance the wheels. Since then, zero wheel related issues.
Did I happen to mention this same clown scratched up my powder coat, while mounting the tire, on the first front rim?

That's a good point about the wheel offset. You should measure yours before you cut out the old spokes so you can match the offset when you relace the rim. Just write down the distance from the edge of the rim to the hub on each side, it's rarely the same. And, a good picture of the spoke pattern will worth a thousand words when you start putting the new spokes on.

All very good points and tips!! Definately will take pics and measure. I did a rear dirtbike rim 25 or so years ago...but didn't really care about truing back then especially on a dirtbike.

Lots of info Here on page 22 on.

I have a wheel to do myself soon, think I am going to make up one of the Taverner jigs shown.

Is the spoked front rim on a 2005 TBA off-set or? If so how much?

I picked up a truing stand on Ebay for $200 used, it is a high end unit which will be around forever. It gives incredibly percise measurements for dish, offset, and state of true. In the end there's no replacement for experience, grab an old crappy, rusty wheel and pull it apart and put it back together, then throw it out; you'll be experienced. Maybe you'll even pay the $160 to the local shop.
The most recent Horse Backstreet Chopper mag. has a great article w/ photos by Brew Dude on lacing wheels - Get the mag. you won't be sorry. Good luck!

If you have the patience, but I'm to antsy so had a shop do mine.......