Why spoked wheels

[chris v]

The TA has spoke wheels compared to the majority of bike wheels which are all ally. What are the merits of having spokes?

[Fatjohn]

aren't spoked wheels better for dealing with the lumps and bumps you get when off roading? I think that's what it's for - to absorb short, sharp loading so the rim doesn't get damaged. I'd wait to hear from a grown up before taking that answer as gospel though...

[robelst]

Yep, spoked wheels are more "flexible" and absorb bumps where cast wheels might break. It is questionable if the TA really needs that since most are only ridden on the road, but it looks pretty (well, until they start rotting ). Most spoked wheels are lighter too iirc.

[chris v]

(well, until they start rotting )

Yes I did notice that the spokes on a TA just 6 months old were looking a bit sad. It was much the same on my Road King Harley that I bought from new.

Is there any problem in having the rims re-spoked with chrome spokes?

Cheers Chris

[ChrisH]

Think it's usually stainless spokes that people go for, although I have heard that they don't perform as well as the original plated spokes?? Because I'm fed up with the alloy rims corroding so badly I'm thinking of putting chrome rims on my TA. I had problems with wheels corrroding on a new Kawa years ago, so I asked the rep at one of the bike shows and he said it was the brass bits in the sintered brake pads causing the corrosion?? Anyone heard that one before?

[jackafrica]

Spokes normally aren't chromed due to the problems with hydrogen embrittlement and stress relieving, that's why most spokes are zinc plated. They are usually quite slim ( Harleys excluded and they chrome their fat short spokes on some models ! ). Spokes have to be able to stretch to do their job and that doesn't help the chrome plating process either.

Most motorcycles today have alloy wheels due to lighter weight, ie less unsprung weight, they are easier to manufacture and are less labour intensive in manufacturing and subsequent servicing. Most owners don't know how to adjust and tune their spokes, so an alloy wheel makes sense.

Alloy wheels generally allow the use of tubeless tyres, some spoked wheels ( ie BuMW GS ) are able to be run tubeless. However ask a BuMW owner if their trick spoked wheels can be relaced and you'll receive a blank look. Even BMW do not give their technicians instructions on how to relace or repair their spoked wheels. Essentially if they are bent buy a complete new wheel.

All that aside, REAL motorcycles have spoked wheels and finned engines you can see

Transalps have both these features and are real motorcycles. Don't be misled, deluded or swayed into the dark world of the heathens and unbelievers. Here endeth the somewhat biased spiel.

[Fatjohn]

Spokes normally aren't chromed due to the problems with hydrogen embrittlement and stress relieving, that's why most spokes are zinc plated. They are usually quite slim ( Harleys excluded and they chrome their fat short spokes on some models ! ). Spokes have to be able to stretch to do their job and that doesn't help the chrome plating process either.

Most motorcycles today have alloy wheels due to lighter weight, ie less unsprung weight, they are easier to manufacture and are less labour intensive in manufacturing and subsequent servicing. Most owners don't know how to adjust and tune their spokes, so an alloy wheel makes sense.

Alloy wheels generally allow the use of tubeless tyres, some spoked wheels ( ie BuMW GS ) are able to be run tubeless. However ask a BuMW owner if their trick spoked wheels can be relaced and you'll receive a blank look. Even BMW do not give their technicians instructions on how to relace or repair their spoked wheels. Essentially if they are bent buy a complete new wheel.

All that aside, REAL motorcycles have spoked wheels and finned engines you can see

Transalps have both these features and are real motorcycles. Don't be misled, deluded or swayed into the dark world of the heathens and unbelievers. Here endeth the somewhat biased spiel.

Now THAT'S how to answer a query, people! Great to see you back

[Von Short Hausen]

Now THAT'S how to answer a query, people! Great to see you back

Forgive me I'm new, is jackafrica the official SPOKESMAN ?

.......I'll get my coat

[Fatjohn]

Now THAT'S how to answer a query, people! Great to see you back

Forgive me I'm new, is jackafrica the official SPOKESMAN ?

.......I'll get my coat

[DaveS]

With detailed replies like that he soon will be. :mrgeen: