Spoke Lacing
Spoke LacingI am about ready to reassemble my CL77 front & rear wheels. Never done this before and have gathered up info. on this forum & other internet sources. I have a couple of questions that I couldn't find an answer to that hopefully someone on the forum can help me with. First one is, there were conical washers between the nipples and the depressed areas of the rim when I took apart the wheels. Should I reuse these washers (are they really necessary)? Second is that the original wheels look like they had some sort of sealer around the nipples. I assume this was to exclude water from getting to the inside of the rim. Is it a good idea to re-seal this area when I am all done with the assembly? If so, any recommendations on sealer? Loctite has an excellent low viscosity silicone sealer intended for auto windshields that flows like water & forms a good bond in narrow gaps, I was thinking of using this product. The spokes & nipples are stainless steel. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Phil M. Phil
I have rebuilt many wheels without the washers or the sealer. But the sealer might be useful if you use the CL77 as intended. A smear of silicone should do it. Don't forget to make sure that there are no spokes protruding through the nipples and use a good rim tape. I use WD40 to lubricate the nipples. It's a good therapeutic exercise building wheels. Very satisfying when you get it right. G '60 C77 '60 C72 '62 C72 Dream '63 CL72
'61 CB72 '64 CB77 '65 CB160 '66 Matchless 350 '67 CL77 '67 S90 '77 CB400F
Thanks for the reply G-Man. Not too much to work on around here (central New York), during the Winter, so I intend to take my time (I'm also retired). I've done a fair amount of machine work, so have indicators and can build makeshift fixturing, etc. to get the job done. The manufacturer of the spokes provided anti-seize lube for the spoke/nipple threads, so intend to use that.
Phil M. Phil
Be careful using a real dial gauge against those rims. They usually have a 'kick' where they are welded. I usually just set up a small pointer and true by eye. Is it still arctic weather where you are. I have friends near Rochester and down in Connecticut and they tell me it's been pretty bad. G '60 C77 '60 C72 '62 C72 Dream '63 CL72
'61 CB72 '64 CB77 '65 CB160 '66 Matchless 350 '67 CL77 '67 S90 '77 CB400F P; after buying numerous spoke sets from Buchanans, which included a vial of nipple lube, I ended up with a set of spokes and no lube. I called them and asked about it and was told, "why don't you just mix up your own", we just mix axle grease with motor oil (lube+sticky). that's all you need, threads and nipple seats.
Good luck Randy
Randy, thanks for the heads-up on lube qty. I am in fact working with Buchanan's spokes which they supplied with small vials of lube. I guess I will substitute Dow-Corning Molykote G-n Assembly Lube., which I have a large qty. of (pounds of it). For others on the forum I can attest that it is an excellent anti-seize for steel threaded parts into aluminum, etc. Probably not a good idea to use it where it might come into contact with the clutch assembly. Molydisulfide is real slippery stuff!
Weather report for G-Man: don't know what you consider cold, but this morning we had -5 deg. F. - this is cold enough for me. By this weekend we will be into a warm spell of 36 deg. F. Cheers, Phil
Re: Spoke LacingHONDA installed those washers in every CL72/77 rim.
Knowing how HONDA didn't waste $$$ on their bikes such as not use lock washers on many bolts and nuts. I'd say HONDA knew a reason they should be there. I too have laced and trued many wheels and figuring somewhere around 30 CL72/77 type I always install those washers. You may want to put a nipple in a hole with then without the washer and see why HONDA used them. ....................lm
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