Rebuilding wheels

[scarfacehugo]

Hi, chaps!! Me again, the firestarter...

Once upon a time I had my wheels appart , zinc plated the spokes and got the wheels back together by a "pro"...

When i got the wheels back, I understood that the rear wheel's got 3 different lenght spokes and the guy just used them everywhere he thought they'd fit and didnt offset it as it was.

Now I want to relace the wheels with stainless spokes but properly this time and I need someone who as done it before,can supply the spokes, knows exactly the offset and where each spoke goes, back and front wheel.

To cut expenses I wanted someone near by, in the N London area.
Anyone can help me with this?

Thank you

[BobA]

Hagon are probably the best option. They are in Essex, not really that far from North London.

They also do a While-you-wait service, but obviously you pay a bit extra for this.

Give them a call



Bob

[Sully22252]

I've had two pairs done by Hagon recently, their pricing was very similar to Central Wheel Components and a firm in Devon who's name I've forgotten! Whichever firm you go for, its not cheap, unless you compare it with the cost of a new DID wheel from Honda, and then it looks very reasonable.

Hagon know what they are doing, correct offset etc. I had one pair in standard sizes, i.e. with a 3 inch rim on the rear and the second set with a 3.5 inch rim on the rear, as this allows you to go up to a 150 section rear tyre if need be. Its only worth going for the wider rear if you plan on doing some serious foreign travelling as 150 section rears (as fitted to GS's) are generally easier to come by in remote places than 140's.

It's also a very good reason to go travelling on an Africa Twin in preference to a KTM Adventure, as a tyre for a KTM's 18 inch rear is almost impossible to come by in remote places.

[scarfacehugo]

I've had two pairs done by Hagon recently, their pricing was very similar to Central Wheel Components and a firm in Devon who's name I've forgotten! Whichever firm you go for, its not cheap, unless you compare it with the cost of a new DID wheel from Honda, and then it looks very reasonable.

Just checked Central Wheel Comp. and we're lookiking at about £100 per wheel for labour, spokes and nipples?

Is that a "fair price" for it, once my rims are in pretty good nick?

Cheers

[AlanH]

That's about right. Spoke sets are generally around £60 a wheel and wheelbuilding in the region of £40 to £60.

[Sully22252]

I've got the last invoice from Hagon in front of me (07/09) and the breakdown is as follows. The figures include VAT

Wheelbuilding Incl. Stainless spoke sets and Nickel plated brass nipples per wheel - £94.99
21 inch flangeless polished alloy Morad rim - £99.99
17 x 3.5 inch flangeless polished alloy Morad rim - £147.99

Having the rear an extra half inch wider added £23 to the cost.

[scarfacehugo]

Thank you very much, You've been most helpful.

I'll give them a ring in the morning and see what they say about the offset problem.

Cheers

[Warthog]

DIY!

Lookie clickie

I did it on a Ural wheel: not as slick, but the same principle: worked a treat!!

[scarfacehugo]

DIY!

Lookie clickie

I did it on a Ural wheel: not as slick, but the same principle: worked a treat!!

I would love to, but since the rear wheel's got 3 lenghts of spokes all in the wrong place and the offset is wrong... It has to be done by someone with the correct info...

And to be honest,as odd as it may seem I am a motorcycle engineer and I get to work with bikes all day, 5 days a week. For me to get to the end of the day and do something like lacing a wheel is just too much. I rather pay someone to do it... This reminds me of the Gynecologist story

No, I'm not laisy...

[Warthog]

And to be honest,as odd as it may seem I am a motorcycle engineer and I get to work with bikes all day, 5 days a week. For me to get to the end of the day and do something like lacing a wheel is just too much. I rather pay someone to do it... This reminds me of the Gynecologist story

Fair enough, I can certainly see your point.

However, if you change your mind, just get the spokes you need and follow the page. It was dead easy for me and if something lets your get a badly welded, rusty Dnepr rim straight on another wheels hub, I say it's goooood!