Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Motorcycles: Fundamentals, Service, Repair 334 Note Most manufacturers sell complete spoke sets instead of individual spokes. Replacing the complete set is preferred. Replacing a Dented Rim Replacing a dented rim on a wire wheel requires removing all the spoke nipples. Once the nipples are removed, the spokes can be pulled out of the rim. Before removing the spokes from the rim, it is a good idea to tape or tie the spokes together where they cross, as shown in Figure 16-20. This keeps the spokes in proper position and makes reassembly much easier. You may also want to take a photograph to use as a reference. Check the service manual to see if specific positioning of the rim is necessary. Rim replacement always requires wheel truing. If the rim portion of a cast wheel is dented, the wheel may require wheel straightening by a professional or complete replacement. Lacing and Truing a Wire Wheel Assembly Building a wire wheel using a hub, spokes, and rim is called wheel lacing. Wheel lacing is necessary when: • A new wheel is built from scratch. • The hub is replaced (broken hub or worn out brake drum). • All spokes need to be replaced (spoke nipples seized). • The rim is replaced (damaged rim or different color preferred). There are numerous procedures for the start of a wheel lacing process. It is important to follow service manual instructions for the particular wheel being built. Before beginning to lace a wheel, you should always remember that there can be differences in individual spokes, spoke crossing patterns, and spoke angles as described earlier in the chapter. These factors affect how you lace the wheel. It is a good idea to take a picture of the wheel before disassembly to reference the original spoke angles, cross patterns, and spoke direction. Grind off exposed threads Rim Spoke Spoke nipple Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 16-18. Tighten loose spokes with a spoke wrench. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 16-19. If a spoke requires more than two turns to tighten, look for spoke threads that extend past the end of the nipple. These threads should be ground or filed off to prevent puncturing the inner tube. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 16-20. Taping spokes at their cross point before removal makes reassembly easier, since all spokes stay in position.