Spoke Torque Wrench

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Oct 10, 2019 | 08:23 AM

#11

Wilbe0580

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 104

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From: Long Island NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by barneyboy

Are you sure you're not confusing torque value with spoke nipple size? 6.2 Nm is roughly 55 in-lbs.

FWIW, a 6.3 mm wrench head is about 4 thousandths of an inch larger than a 6.2 mm, and would likely work just fine on 6.2 mm spoke nipples.

You are right I did confuse the torque value does anyone know what size spoke nipple I have on a 2017 softail slim

Oct 10, 2019 | 09:56 AM

#12

MoneyFor

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2017

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From: East Flanders - Belgium

According to my knowledge is that a 6.0mm so a 6.1 or 6.2 must work to

Last edited by MoneyFor; Oct 10, 2019 at 09:58 AM. Reason: ad text

Oct 10, 2019 | 04:41 PM

#13

barneyboy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 5,077

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From: Plover, WI

I've heard (from HDF members) the size is everything from 6mm to 1/4 inch. I'm not sure what type of wrench these members are using, and how precise they (the members) are, but common open end wrenches are manufactured to be a few thousandths larger than their stated size. Take the guesswork out, and measure your spoke nipples with a micrometer instead of relying on possible misinformation.

Oct 10, 2019 | 05:20 PM

#14

Qdog002

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2012

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From: Upstate New York

I usually just tighten them by the sound if they need it. 6mm

Oct 10, 2019 | 08:56 PM

#15

1999 flstf

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2019

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From: mjnsbcjehbfwienufhzaxmiq

i remember back in the day tuning spokes by the tone of them. love the look of spokes hate the maintenance, liking the low maintenance of my fatboy wheels.

Oct 11, 2019 | 01:13 PM

#16

Uncle G.

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 9,332

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From: Upstate New York

I have a set of “spoke wrenches” I bought about 40 years ago. The wrench marked “8” (8 gage) fits the spoke nipples in a Harley-Davidson.

FWIW, I check my spokes by sound. If they “ring” they’re tight. If they “thud” when tapped they’re loose. Those spokes get tightened until they sound a similar note to their neighbors. Doing it this way takes resistance/corrosion of the threads out of the equation. I’ve done this for every laced wheel I have including the two sets I built.

Last edited by Uncle G.; Oct 11, 2019 at 01:19 PM.

Oct 12, 2019 | 02:53 AM

#17

MoneyFor

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2017

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From: East Flanders - Belgium

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle G.

FWIW, I check my spokes by sound. If they “ring” they’re tight. If they “thud” when tapped they’re loose. Those spokes get tightened until they sound a similar note to their neighbors. Doing it this way takes resistance/corrosion of the threads out of the equation. I’ve done this for every laced wheel I have including the two sets I built.

That's the way we " old " dudes do it, the new generation needs more fancy stuff , maybe there is an app to set the spokes on the right tune

Oct 12, 2019 | 03:49 AM

#18

crtfibl

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2015

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From: SoCal

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Oct 12, 2019 | 07:14 AM

#19

Randol

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 289

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From: Flatlands of Indiana

Ting Ting method here

Oct 12, 2019 | 09:06 AM

#20

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,158

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From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by crtfibl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFuRndMgerc

I have two bikes with spokes

I use the tone method to quickly check the spokes....

Once I believe I have a loose spoke, and/or anytime I tighten them... I use a spoke torque wrench and the method in the above video...

IMHO.... tightening the spokes using the tone will only get the spokes close to the same/proper torque spec..... and if you tighten a spoke more than a 1/4 turn, without going around the wheel as the video shows, you can/will pull your wheel out of round...

Important point is to make sure you inspect/tighten your spokes....

Last edited by hattitude; Oct 12, 2019 at 09:07 AM.