I need help lacing a 1973 Sportster 40 spoke front wheel with the small hub. I have the manual but can't make heads or tails of the directions. Does anyone have a close up picture that you could post. I've checked the website but no help. Shop wants $160.00 per wheel to lace and true. I can't afford that!

Thanks,
Ranjet

 

Google "motorcycle wheel lacing", you'll get lots of instructions and illustrations. I know from experience you can have 1/4" out of true side to side and probably not feel it even beyond the speed limits, but roundness is critical for a smooth high speed ride. I'd still try for as close as you can get it on the side to side, too, nothing wrong with perfect, which you might not get from a shop; many commercial operations have a "close enough" policy to save time. I also tap all the spokes with a screwdriver to make sure they all ring with close to the same sound; a thud means it's too loose, and even using a torque wrench won't guarantee the same tension - good to use for a start, but then you want to tweak the ones that have a lower note when rung. Be prepared to spend a few hours...

Let us know how it turns out. Other than turning some "thuds" into "rings", I haven't messed much with spokes in several years.

 

Thanks for the info. Haven't gotten that far yet. I'm needing help in lacing up the wheel. I'll give it a go again today. Damn frustrating!

 

Maybe this will help you get started ... and don't forget to check with some of the dirt bike shops in your area ... They're generally a whole lot more reasonable.

 

koolest thing is the star pattern. take your time! hopefully you have an original hd manual.

 

I finally figured it out. Every forth hole was the key. Need to keep the short spokes over the top of the long ones. Now to true it up.
Ranjet