Tink testing spokes
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,455
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I envy him, I'm a no talent fool at it, I can do it but the time and language used a drill sergeant would be impressed enough take notes.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,455
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
It's a skill one either has an aptitude for or not, bout like anything else being honest.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,929
Likes: 8,033
From: poway
I don't remember how many wheels I've done. Probably over 200 from 69 to 79.. Maybe 20 in the last 20 years. Last set was for a buddy restoring a 75 cb350f Honda a few months ago.
You can use the dink test on some wheels to check for loose spokes but if you try to use the sound to tune the tension, you likely knock the wheel out of alignment and end up with broken spokes. The trick is to retension the spokes so that they are all the same.. If you end up playing around you might have one that is way too tight and it will break.
If the wheel seems to have loose spokes, with a good spoke wrench, start at the valve stem and try to tighten the gently only one flat. If it feels snug, move to the next spoke. Again if loose. only one flat. Once you you've completed one turn, repeat going around the wheel until all spokes have the same tension using the valve stem as the starting an stopping point. Spin the wheel and see if it's developed a hop or side to side. Side to side will typically take only a flat or 2 on 1 or 2 spokes loosen on on side and tightening the same on the other.
You can use the dink test on some wheels to check for loose spokes but if you try to use the sound to tune the tension, you likely knock the wheel out of alignment and end up with broken spokes. The trick is to retension the spokes so that they are all the same.. If you end up playing around you might have one that is way too tight and it will break.
If the wheel seems to have loose spokes, with a good spoke wrench, start at the valve stem and try to tighten the gently only one flat. If it feels snug, move to the next spoke. Again if loose. only one flat. Once you you've completed one turn, repeat going around the wheel until all spokes have the same tension using the valve stem as the starting an stopping point. Spin the wheel and see if it's developed a hop or side to side. Side to side will typically take only a flat or 2 on 1 or 2 spokes loosen on on side and tightening the same on the other.
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