Broken spoke

Would it be OK to ride around town with a broken spoke on my Commando's rear wheel ? They are the original rims and spokes, and I need to research options on repairs in southern California.

7000, I went to California and back from Wisconsin in 1976 with a missing spoke and the bike loaded down. The only trouble I had was the a striped exhaust port. I put a coat hanger around the head and it held the rest of the trip

Phil

Thanks, Phil.
Wisconson and back, on a Norton? Those were the days, I guess. They seem so rare and fragile now, I use mine sparingly.

What caused the spoke to break? If the rest of them are properly tuned there should be enough integrity to keep it from falling apart, but if it broke because of a poorly tuned wheel or corrosion, I would think it should serve as a warning.

Russ

The first spoke is the canary in the coal mine. While you can ride it you also don't want to wait on that research. Being in Cal the best option is probably Buchanan's.

rvich said:

What caused the spoke to break? Russ

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On my first Commando and many many years ago (a little preface to say that i am not quite this stupid anymore) I broke a spoke when putting a broom stick through the wheel to tighten the gearbox sprocket. Maybe this should go into the "Stupidest things" thread. I sprung for an electric impact and handmade a super deep 1 1/2" socket. This was also before I say the great tip about the socket between the tooth and frame.

Replacing was not a big a deal as making sure I had the proper spoke (4 to chose from). Wheel and tire stayed on. Let the air out, clamped tire over for access.