Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hey all, anyone got any tips on removing old spokes?

I've got a pair of Westwood pattern 28 x 1 1/2" wheels that I need to swap the hubs on with some drum brakes and they need some lovin' but I can't get the spokes out.

I've squirted some penetrating oil on them but trying to undo them with a spanner just starts twisting the spoke. What's the secret?

You could cut them and just push the halves out their respective spoke holes - unless you're hoping to preserve the spokes for re-use of course

Right now I'm not 100% sure if I can re-use them or not, so I'd really prefer to preserve them if I can... cutting them did cross my mind but I'll leave that as a last resort.

I've squirted some penetrating oil on them but trying to undo them with a spanner just starts twisting the spoke. What's the secret?[/quote]

the secret is a proper spoke tool , is that what your using?

To my way of thinking, unless the nipples can easily be undone then they are cactus. They burr and the spokes threads damage making it very difficult to true when you rebuild. I hear you, non shiny spokes do look better on a preserved bike though. Give Torana's (SLR5000, A9X, GTR Xu1, rebadged Vauxhall Viva??? ) idea go.

Re-using old spokes is always a dodgy move (although I must admit to doing it myself on occasion) If the nipples are seized on then the spoke is almost certainly not worth the effort. Just cut them out and buy new spokes. Remembering to keep the little washers under the spoke heads for later use if your wheel has them). You can buy plated and rustless spokes if stainless on old bikes worries you from a guy on e-Bay (OzBikeStar possibly?)
Cheers
Richard

Buy plated (not stainless) spokes from 'bike parts plus more' - an online seller in Melbourne. Has 311 mm spokes too. Good prices and service.

Thanks for the replies and tips guys. This is my first foray into spokes on anything and I have two sets of 28" wheels I want to restore so it'll be worthwhile getting the right tools for the job. I'll also have a set of motorcycle wheels to do down the track.

Torana, nope, just a spanner... perhaps that makes me the spanner? I'm assuming something like this would be the go (this was my first search result):

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TL0007-SPOKE ... 2623wt_865" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As for re-using, thanks again guys... I wasn't sure on that but the main reason to get them out in one piece is to be able to measure them accurately. Some of the ones I've got will be the right length for the drums, but some won't, so I need to work that out. I've come across spoke length calculators online so I'll use several of them to make sure I get the same results and get the right size. Thanks for the supplier links too!

Not that one Pete, try something like THIS. You'll have to be sure to get the right size tho'.

Shaun

Thanks Shaun, looks like I'll have to get the Verniers out and see what size they are.

That one's not going to be here until the New Year so I'll hunt some more and see if there's any locally I can get before Christmas...

Quick edit: Forgot to ask what's the difference between the two? Is one just easier to use than the other?

Quick edit: Forgot to ask what's the difference between the two? Is one just easier to use than the other?[/quote]

the second one is far easier to use, if you still have issues tighten the nipple a little before removing sometimes that gets them going, your local LBS should have one

Thanks again, will get the Verniers out today or tonight and go looking...

peteGS wrote:I wasn't sure on that but the main reason to get them out in one piece is to be able to measure them accurately. Some of the ones I've got will be the right length for the drums, but some won't, so I need to work that out. I've come across spoke length calculators online so I'll use several of them to make sure I get the same results and get the right size.

The online spoke length calculators are pretty useless with old rims and hubs as their databases only have measurements for current kit. To use them you'll need to establish the effective rim diameter (ERD), hub flange radius to spoke holes and flange offset for your rims and hubs.

Roger Musson has a simple method for measuring ERD accurately using the nipple ends of two old spokes. Can't recommend his ebook highly enough, get it here for USD $14. He has a spoke calc on his site too.

RobertFrith wrote:Roger Musson has a simple method for measuring ERD accurately using the nipple ends of two old spokes. Can't recommend his ebook highly enough, get it here for USD $14. He has a spoke calc on his site too.

+ Lots.

Thanks again guys, have bookmarked his site and will get his e-Book for sure.

Didn't get to do any measuring last night (hot day + pool + beer = no measuring) but should get into it this week.

Looks like Roger + a proper spoke tool will have me sorted.

Cheers!

Just wanted to say thanks again guys. I've now got Roger's eBook which I will start reading and I just bought a set of spoke tools off eBay as they seemed the best value:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121010821781 ... _500wt_882" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After measuring with the verniers, I need at least two different sizes just for one of the wheels...

That's the way Pete. Good seller too, I've dealt with them quite a few times.

Shaun

Good stuff Shaun, always good to get a good eBay seller, feedback can be misleading at times... can't wait to get the tools and get stuck into it now! Lots of reading ahead of me

barkmadly wrote:Buy plated (not stainless) spokes from 'bike parts plus more' - an online seller in Melbourne. Has 311 mm spokes too. Good prices and service.

I need to respoke my wheels i don't see why you wouldn't use stainless???

For authenticity on a restoration