Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I bought new sets of Buchanan spokes for the wheels of my 75 CR125. I started on the front and have a problem getting the spokes through the hub. The hub is narrow and the spoke hits the far edge of the hub when I feed it through a hole. Is it okay to bend the spokes to get them in? I can't see any other way to do it. It seems a shame to bend my expensive new spokes.
Quick help needed before the wife gets home and sees my wheel parts spread all over the kitchen table.
Thanks.
Mark

I would not bend them just "flex" them enough to get them around or take the spokes that are in the way off ( loosen the nipple) and move them out of the way. Also try lacing the spokes that thread out from the hub in last.. I have done a few times and it can get frustrating, but with patience its not too bad.

Mark,

Shouldn't be any need to bend the spokes. Make sure all the spokes are in the hub correct (remember you have inner & outter spokes. Yes it does take patience. Another wheel helps to copy off of. A friend & I just did a 75 wheel last night. Allways place all spokes in the hub first making sure they are going in the correct direction, every other hole on the hub & every fourth hole on the rim. Little complicated trying to explain it here as to actually showing someone.

Thank you for the replies. I've got the pattern figured out okay. No problem there. The problem is just getting the spokes into the hub. The spoke won't go all the way in.
I got out the calipers took some measurements. The stock spoke is .112". The hole in the hub is .149". A new Buchanan spoke is .140". That's the problem. The spoke is too thick to tilt enough in the hole to clear the far side edge of the hub.
Instead of bending the spoke I think I have to drill out the hub holes bigger. Bummer. I just got them back from the powdercoaters!

The hubs we did were powered coated & had to be drilled along with the rims to fit the nipples. (very little drilling was needed & that's running 8 gauge spokes).

Take your time with the drill & you should be fine.

I drilled front hub and both rims and all went together well. Just need to true and install.