Broken spoke

MikeM · Nov 13, 2023

Not the bar. I have a broken spoke on the rear wheel. 71 Commando. Is there a secret way to replace it without disassembling the other spokes? Am I missing something? It looked easy but there seems to be no way to get it in position without bending the new one or removing others. What would cause the break? No other damage or loose spokes. Been riding it some with no apparent issues. I tried to adjust spokes on a 350 Honda once, back in the day and made a real mess of it. There is an art to spokes.

concours · Nov 13, 2023

I've done it on dirt bikes. You don't want to know.

bsaboss · Nov 13, 2023

If it's an outer spoke you may have a chance with a little bending/fiddling, but not if it's an inner spoke. I'm afraid it'd be a tyre off job, then loosen/remove as many spokes as necessary to fit the new one. You can probably leave it and just wire it where it crosses another spoke until you can get to the task of replacing it.

ashman · Nov 13, 2023

You still have 39 more spokes lol.

MikeM · Nov 13, 2023

bsaboss said:
If it's an outer spoke you may have a chance with a little bending/fiddling, but not if it's an inner spoke. I'm afraid it'd be a tyre off job, then loosen/remove as many spokes as necessary to fit the new one. You can probably leave it and just wire it where it crosses another spoke until you can get to the task of replacing it.

Seems to be an inner. Can you explain wiring please?

bsaboss · Nov 13, 2023

Just use some fine wire, or a small cable tie, to attach it where it crosses another spoke (where they form an "X"). If you look at your wheel you'll see the pattern and it'll be clear where it goes.

MikeM · Nov 14, 2023

bsaboss said:
Just use some fine wire, or a small cable tie, to attach it where it crosses another spoke (where they form an "X"). If you look at your wheel you'll see the pattern and it'll be clear where it goes.

I assume you mean wire the broken spoke to a good one? If so, that spoke is long gone only nipple is left.

bsaboss · Nov 14, 2023

If the spoke has long since fallen out then you can either leave it as it is or take the tyre off and remove the nipple. A bike shop should be able to loosen/remove enough spokes to fit a new spoke and then re-true the wheel in about an hour, so that may be your best bet if you don't feel confident to do it yourself.