Rear Drum Hub 18" Rim Conversion...

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Long time lurker, first time caller... Recently scored a WM3 18" rim cheap. Been looking since I found out the rear on my 1971 Commando project was bent. Now the real question is... Can I just get spokes for an atlas from Andover and lace er up, or will I need different / custom ones since it's WM3 instead of WM2? My thinking is width shouldn't matter since the spokes are in the center right? I've done wheels before but never changed both diameter and width... thanks in advance all you DIY 18" converters out there-
 
The old britts wheel info page says that the offset is 3/16 to the right side, which would be about .187 decimally, which is close to the RGM chart's .200 offset. So, taken further down the road, the difference in witdth between the original WM2(1.85) and the WM3(2.15) would be .300 inches. So does the offset become 1/2 inch right side (.200 original + .300 width difference new) or would one have to divide the .3 by half for rim center to flange, making the offset .337(11/16ish)? We may be on to something here! Thanks again for the reply kommando-
 
IMHO
I would measure from the center of the rim instead of dealing with all the math. I would also check it on the bike before mounting the tire to allow for inconsistencies.
 
Guess I shoulda included all the info- yes, it's a new, never used CWC 18" WM3(2.15), on the packaging listed as "Norton full width rear hub (Commando / Atlas / Dominator Models)" and has a Norton Part number 06-7383. I figure it'll probably take the .250's, need to measure. Have to put in an order to Andover for some other stuff, but you guys think I should go with buchanan's spokes? The cost vs. Andover's is quite a difference, but if its worth it... well, only the best for my precious...
 
Guess I shoulda included all the info- yes, it's a new, never used CWC 18" WM3(2.15), on the packaging listed as "Norton full width rear hub (Commando / Atlas / Dominator Models)" and has a Norton Part number 06-7383. I figure it'll probably take the .250's, need to measure. Have to put in an order to Andover for some other stuff, but you guys think I should go with buchanan's spokes? The cost vs. Andover's is quite a difference, but if its worth it... well, only the best for my precious...
Your best bet is to order the spoke set from CWC! Their rims have compatible punches but not necessarily original Norton punches.

BTW, CWC like others has different rims in WM3. If they are what CWC calls "British Chrome" then they are the Dunlop/Jones profile. You can study all this on their web site and get the correct spokes.
 
Sorry LAB, I typed it wrong on the old telly- you are correct, the part number is 7838. And yes Greg they are the British chrome- you guys are good! CWC spokes it is then- now to find them-
 
so, update- finally got through the holidays! Started on the wheel build tonight- tore it down, cleaned up the hub, but now a strange thing has occurred- I bought spokes for an atlas through Andover as recommended by emailing back and forth with Andover and CWC in Britain, and the spokes are the right length and bend, but the inners and outers have different threads. The nipples will only thread onto the outer spokes, but not the inner. The old ones don't go on either. Anybody else have this happen when respoking with factory spokes? All the part numbers line up, waiting on the email to Jolly old England-
 
so, update- finally got through the holidays! Started on the wheel build tonight- tore it down, cleaned up the hub, but now a strange thing has occurred- I bought spokes for an atlas through Andover as recommended by emailing back and forth with Andover and CWC in Britain, and the spokes are the right length and bend, but the inners and outers have different threads. The nipples will only thread onto the outer spokes, but not the inner. The old ones don't go on either. Anybody else have this happen when respoking with factory spokes? All the part numbers line up, waiting on the email to Jolly old England-
can you match right and wrong to see which has more/less threads per inch, so you can let Andover know: they may have bought incorrectly made ones, and they can then check other stock.
 
On front disc brake Commandos, the front wheel has different guage spokes on the right vs, left. So the pack that came with my rim had 2 different sized nipples. Does the rear also have 2 spoke guages?
 
the spoke gauges are the same for inners and outers mart, but Jan was on to something- the inners have less TPI it would seem- the total threaded area is shorter by about a 1/4 inch or so too. I've emailed technical@andover and I'm hoping to hear back on Monday- Fingers crossed! Hopefully I can just get the right nipples. I guess wouldn't matter much either way, either right spokes or nipples. Looking forward to doing some wheel building- it's been a few years for me, and I was just getting back in the groove!
 
Going forward, if the wheel was disassembled in the future it would be better/preferable for the spokes to all be threaded the same. Since nothing should rust, I could see reuse of the spokes if rim is bent by a road hazard.
 
Could be one set of spokes has a metric thread instead of imperial.

Gauge MM Inch M Thread M Pitch Imp Thread TPI Pitch mm

10 3.2 0.124 3 0.5 Spoke 40 0.635

9 3.6 0.142 3.5 0.6 Spoke 40 0.635

8 4 0.156 4 0.7 Spoke 32 0.740
 
The plot thickens! Simon from andover got back to me and let me know that the inners are indeed threaded wrong. Sadly, he also informed me that it would be 6-8 weeks before their new correct stock arrives... So, anybody know where to get just inners (06.7840) for an atlas? Everybody seems to want to sell me a whole new set with the nipples I already have (to the tune of 160 bux...) I did see some NOS 7840's on ebay, messaged the guy to see if he's got twenty or just a few. What fun!
 
The plot thickens! Simon from andover got back to me and let me know that the inners are indeed threaded wrong. Sadly, he also informed me that it would be 6-8 weeks before their new correct stock arrives... So, anybody know where to get just inners (06.7840) for an atlas? Everybody seems to want to sell me a whole new set with the nipples I already have (to the tune of 160 bux...) I did see some NOS 7840's on ebay, messaged the guy to see if he's got twenty or just a few. What fun!
Just order them from CWC.
 
The plot thickens! Simon from andover got back to me and let me know that the inners are indeed threaded wrong. Sadly, he also informed me that it would be 6-8 weeks before their new correct stock arrives... So, anybody know where to get just inners (06.7840) for an atlas? Everybody seems to want to sell me a whole new set with the nipples I already have (to the tune of 160 bux...) I did see some NOS 7840's on ebay, messaged the guy to see if he's got twenty or just a few. What fun!
I thought so! At least Andover check these things when we email. However, they might need to tighten up checks on supplier’s incoming goods…
 
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