looking for special washers

_ · 2009-04-06T11:11:46+00:00

Motorcycle wheels - rims are drilled at angles to fit specific hubdimensions. If you get a used rim and it is not matched to your existinghub, lacing it results in a nipple that does not line up with the spoke.It's sometimes possible to re-drill the holes at the correct angle and uselarger nipples, but that takes maths, new parts, and no mistakes. I'mhoping for a simpler solution.The nipple seats are in dimples. A curved washer inserted between thenipple head and the seat would allow some change of alignment - problemfixed.I could make a simple press and get some flat washers and make 'em, butthere are quite a few wheels in my garage to be laced, and there probablywould be a small but steady market for such washers. I've googled under "spherical washer", "motorcycle nipple washer", "seatingwasher" and a number of other terms, but nothing that looks right shows up.What I need is a normal flat washer that has been bent into a curve; acouple of hundred of them, actually.

Apr 06, 2009 25 Replies

Rate this thread:

the wizard 17 years ago

Hi Guys, Only crap wheelbuilders grind spokes and nipples after assembly, proper builders use the correct lenght spoke in the first place. This is one of the reasons why you paid more for a (proper) BMW than you paid for a Triumph or BSA, they paid attention to details and could measure things! I know Honda fit the correct lenght spokes, but who wants a Honda?:>) As someone who has fitted tens of thousands of tyres to bike wheels, by hand not machine, I can say you do not want to have the nipple any higher than the well in the rim. Any clearance lost will make tyre fitting a bit of a pain. T.W.

Vote

Joe AutoDrill 17 years ago

Yep. Too large. :(

Yep. I want to remove moles from my family for a fee.

I'd pay for a good quality, properly sized tool.

Vote

spamTHISbrp 17 years ago

OK, now I'm dyin' to know what it's for...

Dave

Vote

Wayne 17 years ago

_ was thinking very hard :

I needed a mismatched hub and rim once. I had these guys make the spokes to fit.

formatting link

Doesn't answer your DIY question, but at least it's an option.

Wayne D.

Vote

Joe AutoDrill 17 years ago

If you find me one, I'll tell you. :)

Vote

whit3rd 17 years ago

The only "simpler solution" I see would be a spherical cutter (to make the dimple into a sphere of some standard radius) in conjunction with a spherical-head nipple. The spherical cutter (just a custom-ground drill) is relatively easy, and some machine shops with NC lathes could turn the special nipples out easily enough.

I suspect the washer solution would leave you with a nipple that has high stress (and fractures) or with a nipple that finds the center of the dimple with its head, and the center of the hole with its shaft, and STILL points wrong.

The aimed-drill idea doesn't always take math, you might be able to put a laser pointer in the drill press chuck, and align a rim-clamp jig using that.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required