Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Bsa bulletin board Wheel lacing problem

Just got a new CWC rim for 8" half brake front wheel and having problems lacing it correctly. Usually I lace them the same way the original was and everything works out fine. This rim seems to be drilled differently and is causing problems. I think it matters which way the rim goes but don't know how to figure that out. Hoping the rim wasn't drilled completely wrong. With wheel laced as in pictures the hub side outer spokes are about 1/2" too long. Usually means it's laced wrong. Also brake side spokes will only go in opposite direction of oem rim and spokes.
Any help appreciated.

The rim is sided and should be marked usually inside the rim. I stopped using CWC as they do not always mark the rims and use changes to suit them and not either the end user or originality.

On the non CWC rim I have it has brakeside written inside the rim on one side.

On the small hub side between each pair of parallel spokes there should be 7 other spoke heads.

Your 3rd image does not show to me.

Also be useful if you read this thread on problems with the same hub.

https://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=552625

Read the thread and it might help. Least now think I can identify the brake side. On my wheel as in the pics, there are 7 spoke heads between the parallel spokes. Will look at it after bit with a clear head and maybe will figure it out. The 3rd pic was deleted( wrong one).

If you go to Devonrimcompany.com, the have a nice video for the BSA 8” front wheel lacing.

Thanks. Was using that.

Bill: Did you try to build it flipped over to the other side? You might have the correct holes for the two sides of the hub but they are coming from the wrong side so as to influence the effective 'length'.

Gordo

Good idea. Will try that next.

I have found that there are a couple different ways the rims can be drilled and still lace up fine with the correct spokes. Rather then try to duplicate your old rim pattern, clear you mind and approach each side sort of separately. Meaning the pattern for each side will be the same as on your old rim but how they relate to the other side may be a bit different. This is also true for the 6" conical hubs on the B50s. A couple different drillings that use the same spoke lengths and lacing pattern on each side. CWC rims seem to use the "alternate" drilling from what most of the stock rims come with. Folks often enough call me an say I must have sent them the wrong spokes, but with a bit of encouragement they always end up figuring it out.

Appreciate the info. Using my original spokes, so know they're right. I think your clearing my mind and just figuring it out is a great idea. Was kind of stuck on how original was laced.

Using old spokes is not a good idea, they are highly stressed in use

Hi Beach,

Don't know if it will help you but I bought a stainless steel rim and spoke set from the Devon rim Company and used their online wheel building video. It all went perfectly and the rim was marked up by them as to which side was the brake drum side and where the brake side inner spokes started. I have attached pictures and hope they might help you.

Kev E

After looking at your wheel, I noticed that you have a cross 3 spoke pattern on the hub side. On my BSA 441 Victor Special my wheel has a cross 4 spoke pattern. I believe your wheel should be laced in a cross 4 spoke pattern as well. That would definitely explain why your spokes are 1/2 inch too long.
I could submit a picture if you would like.

Peter Joe

I think brake side is cross 2 and hub side is cross 4. Pics of yours would be appreciated.

Here are a few pictures of my 441 front wheel spokes. The drum size is definitely a cross 2 spoke pattern and the hub side a cross 4 spoke pattern. On your wheel it appears that the spoke pair that does the initial crossing at the hub goes out to the rim with 11 spoke hole spacing. On mine with a cross 4 it has a 15 hole spacing at the rim. It might be easier to see if I draw a picture if that would be of more help.









Peter Joe

Sure picture appreciated

Still having same problem. In pics attached is laced a bit different with same result...Outer spokes,hub side 1/2" too long. Contacted CWC and said they'd help if I sent pics of wheel but haven't heard back yet.

Looking at the pictures it looks like your nipples are the Metric version (.281 inch in diameter) while the hole is for the .300 inch nipples. In the wheel building world this is not acceptable. When .281 inch nipples are properly tightened they tend to pull through .300 inch holes in the rim. Now it could be the angle the picture was aken, but I would get my verniers.

Hi Beach,
Have you checked the spoke lengths against the BSA data?
Look at this https://bsac10c11c12.co.uk/smf/brakes-wheels-service-sheets/spokes-all-models/
I am sure I saw a better set of images on some other forum ???
If I remember I have a wheel I can measure the short length spokes on tomorrow

John

Actually am using oem spokes and nipples. Nipples are .250 and hole is .275. Hope CWC didn't drill holes in rim too large.