Spoke nipples

Unclviny · Jul 11, 2010

I am deciding on wheel particulars and I want to run Anodized, Aluminum nipples (stainless nipples on stainless spokes scare me, Galling), I have found some really nice (American made!) nipples at http://www.radmfg.com.

As I understand it Buchanans threads spokes with some "oddball" thread, I have email into a dealer of the nipples asking about thread.

Here are the wheels so far:

WM4 X 19" shouldered Morad rims, Anodized Aluminum nipples, stainless (straight 8G) spokes, CNW hub treatments, Avon Roadriders (100/90-19's).

The questions:

Does anyone have any experiences with Aluminum nipples?

Is there a "standard" spoke thread?

Buchanan's WILL drill my rims, right (the WM4 X 19 Morads don't seem to be available in the U.S.A. so I'm getting them from Austria but they are undrilled).

As of now my plans are to send the rims (dimpled but undrilled), nipples (they do not appear to be the same OD as what Buchanan's sells) and hubs (after CNW gets done with them) to Buchanan's and have the wheels built there.

Unclviny

swooshdave · Jul 11, 2010

Why not send them to CNW? Can they drill the rims?

Hobot · Jul 11, 2010

Al-U-Minium nipples are only intended for show off trailer queens
and Not intended for road use.
The lube supplied nullifies SS on SS galling in spoke applications.

Call any spoke vendor on Monday to get the low down.
I know what Buchann's says when ya ask about their low mass Al ones.
Maybe Nickle plated steel on SS spokes would do as well.

hobot

motoalchemist · Jul 11, 2010

I must concur, I would not use Aluminum spoke nipples for road use. I build my own wheels and i find the Nickle plated steel nipples from Buchannan look great and work nicely. I have the spoke and nipple sets on 4 of my bikes

Unclviny · Jul 12, 2010

These nipples are 7075-T6 (it seems to be a strong as mild steel),
http://www.radmfg.com/spokes.htm
I looked at them because they were supposed to be strong but the concensus seems to be NO!
That's why I asked, I don't know.

Unclviny

RennieK · Jul 12, 2010

Those RAD nipples seem to have a different angle on the shoulder that sits in the pocket of the rim hole. The rim they show in their photo doesn't have the typical socket that we're used to, just a flat surface. Why not contact your rim manufacturer about nipples for their rims? They just may have some even morad than the rad ones ; )

MexicoMike · Jul 12, 2010

I had a friend who did wheel work in NY when we lived there. I asked him about AL nipples and his advice was to never use them on a road bike. He had tried them on several wheels at customer's request and ended up replacing them within a few months with SS due to breakage/loosening, etc.

builder · Jul 12, 2010

Since you're sending your hubs to CNW for the treatment, just have them take care of the whole deal. They'll send them back with the tires installed.

Stainless nipples and stainless spokes...the only way to go.

willh · Jul 12, 2010

http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/index.shtml
I had some beautiful wheels made by theses guys for my 640. SS/SS. They are in Denver, Colorado :wink:

CanukNortonNut · Jul 12, 2010

Hi Unclviny
http://www.walridge.com sells SS Spokes sets with Bronze nipples, which are plated chrome. You don't have the galling problems with the like metals. Mike sells many sets
They are on sale at shows and occasionally in his sales flyers. Send him an email if you want the info on these.
Cheers,

CNN

Coco · Jul 12, 2010

motoalchemist said:
I must concur, I would not use Aluminum spoke nipples for road use. I build my own wheels and i find the Nickle plated steel nipples from Buchannan look great and work nicely. I have the spoke and nipple sets on 4 of my bikes

Alloy nipples are good for bicycles and even then brass is much better. Alloy will seize and strip out very easily.

Unclviny · Jul 13, 2010

It seems to be a resounding NO! on the Aluminum nipples, so on to plan "B":

(this is front and rear), WM4 X 19" shouldered Morad rims, stainless steel nipples, stainless steel (straight 8G) spokes, CNW hub treatment, Avon Roadriders (100/90-19's).

Plan "B" is to send the rims (dimpled but undrilled) and hubs to CNW for hub treatment and wheel building.

Unclviny

swooshdave · Jul 13, 2010

Unclviny said:
It seems to be a resounding NO! on the Aluminum nipples, so on to plan "B":

(this is front and rear), WM4 X 19" shouldered Morad rims, stainless steel nipples, stainless steel (straight 8G) spokes, CNW hub treatment, Avon Roadriders (100/90-19's).

Plan "B" is to send the rims (dimpled but undrilled) and hubs to CNW for hub treatment and wheel building.

Unclviny

Did you confirm CNW can drill the rims? Quick email to Matt will find out.

pelican · Jul 13, 2010

I'm think he just sends them out to buchanan's

Coco · Jul 13, 2010

pelican said:
I'm think he just sends them out to buchanan's

Yes. CNW does the hubs (polished and double row bearing conversion) then sends all out to Buchanans for drilling/lacing. Buchanans will polish hubs for you but not bearing conversions ect.

swooshdave · Jul 13, 2010

Coco said:
pelican said:

I'm think he just sends them out to buchanan's

Click to expand...

Yes. CNW does the hubs (polished and double row bearing conversion) then sends all out to Buchanans for drilling/lacing. Buchanans will polish hubs for you but not bearing conversions ect.

Have they changed since you last had your wheels done? Or is this what you had done?

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com/catalog/mods.asp#custom

Description:
We are now offering complete wheel building service.

We have teamed up with Buchanan's Spoke and Rim to offer the highest quality possible.

Mount a stunning set of fresh wheels on your Commando to take it to the next level of finish and performance.

Of course, we recommend to start with our front and rear hub service to ensure the highest level of finish. See part #1701, #1704, and #1705.

We offer the same pricing as if you were to purchase product and services directly from Buchanans’.

Hobot · Jul 13, 2010

If this is front disc brake rim, then be Aware that only the late
Norton factory or rim supplier had equipment able to drive
rim spoke domes at angle required for the skewed spokes.
Buchann's Excell rim create spoke bend strain at the nipple exits
but was told by them and other seasoned Nortoneer's that's
is only a peace of mind cosmetic issue. If CNW does
have proper front disc rims, wish I'd known before last year.
Front disc rim must come labeled to indicate disc side,
if not look out.

hobot

RennieK · Jul 14, 2010

I gotta say hobot, Ms Peel has great looking legs there! The front legs that is. Nice welding for the calipers.

Spoke nipples

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