Ticking things off one a time to try cure the front end going crazy at 80mph I had the front wheel balanced today.
As it happens it wasn't too far out but the guy doing the balance was less than impressed with my wheel.

The spokes on the disk side aren't straight.


Is this normal for a Commando?

Rich

Rich_j wrote:The spokes on the disk side aren't straight.

Is this normal for a Commando?

Curved spokes are never right, as far as I'm aware!

The (alloy?) rim certainly appears to have been drilled wrongly for that application.

Would it be possible for you to show a couple of slightly wider angle photos, (one taken from each side?) so we can see a better view of the spoke layout?

Its a bit hard to get a good view of the disk side, hope these are OK.

there are 4 different types of spokes in a disk braked front wheel .( different bends )
Maybe the wheel builder mixed them up ?

OK, thanks for the extra photos, which along with the original photo, shows that not only are the holes in the rim at the wrong angle, but more importantly, on the Norton disc wheel, the right side spokes should cross to the left side dimples and vice versa.
The wheel has also been laced 'Triumph disc wheel' pattern, not Norton disc style as both inner spokes radiate away from the hub in the same direction, and both outers do likewise in the opposite direction.
The fact that the wheel has been laced 'Triumph style' isn't a fault in itself, but the fact that the dimple drillings are way off, which is apparently causing the spokes to bow, certainly would be, in my opinion.

Thanks for all the feedback.

It sounds like I've got a pretty big bill coming to sort this mess out.
The guy who built the wheel has retired now so I don't think I'll have much joy trying to chase him down.

Think I'll take the wheel down to Norman White at the weekend and see what he can do with it.

Hmm, flash back to my first wheel rebuild about 2 years ago.
ugh. Just realize you are not alone in finding this not surprised
by it front the famous part sources

If an Excel rim supplied by likes of Buchannan's then the rim
holes are not drilled to take the more extreme angle required
by Norton front disc hub and once nipped up everything
aligned centered and tuned >> there will be bows in the
disc side spokes. I'm told no rim drilling rigs sold last
couple decades allows angle for front Norton needs.

I suppose your bowed spokes could upset handling in a bee
line but I have my doubts as Buchannan's and other seasoned
wheel builders tell me its a non issue in this slightly bowed case.

hobot

I would love to hear Matt's take on the Buchanan's drilling. I'm not sure if he'd accept bowed spokes. Coco has some of their wheels. Wonder if his are bowed.

It also looks from the picture that the spokes are the same gauge on each side. A disk front wheel should have heavier gauge spokes on one side.

Had a look at Buchanan's website and they say of the post '73 Commando hubs

"Rims must be drilled specifically to fit this hub due to the severe offset of the rim to the hub"

Sounds like they're well aware of the issue.

Pity I didn't come across any of this a long time ago.

snakehips wrote:It also looks from the picture that the spokes are the same gauge on each side. A disk front wheel should have heavier gauge spokes on one side.

Originally, yes, but it's unlikely a wheelbuilder would go to the trouble-especially for a non-standard rim.

Rich_j wrote:Thanks for all the feedback.

It sounds like I've got a pretty big bill coming to sort this mess out.
The guy who built the wheel has retired now so I don't think I'll have much joy trying to chase him down.

Think I'll take the wheel down to Norman White at the weekend and see what he can do with it.

1. Where did the wheel (rim) come from? Was it drilled for a Norton and by who?
2. If it was drilled correctly but the spoke put in wrong you might get away with a rebuild and maybe new spokes.

Hope it's that easy.

Buchannan has in their office files 1973 as first year for front LH disc.
Yet 1972 Combat had Norton's first front LH disc.
Bragging about knowing about the extra spoke angling aint't the
same as providing it.
I went round and round with them, mostly with Mr Buchannan
on this very issue. Still had to send back first spoke set as wrong
lengths and again chat with owner to get some credit applied
i ordered lighter necked set for front but thicker necked rear set.

MIght give a ping and get them to directly address the reality
of why they say to expect their Norton front disc rim to bow spokes.
Do they or they not really supply a factory spec rim?
Not to me. even though it was hand marked for disc side.

hobot

L.A.B. wrote:

snakehips wrote:It also looks from the picture that the spokes are the same gauge on each side. A disk front wheel should have heavier gauge spokes on one side.

Originally, yes, but it's unlikely a wheelbuilder would go to the trouble-especially for a non-standard rim.

My wheelbuilder did and I would expect any wheelbuilder to build it with the correct specification parts unless of course you are saying Norton need not have done that in the first place?

I know you guys are talking about fronts but my rear disk wheel, Excel 18" drilled by Buchanan s bowed spokes. Worse than that, the drilling was barely in the dimples on some of them. Made for a very ugly wheel. If I were to do it again I'd go no dimples and have http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/index.shtml drill and build my wheels.