1999 December 1 (Wednesday)
I learned many things trying to get my wheels laced and true. The highlights are
- Radaelli rims are not built to exact tolerances. I’d try to get German or Japanese replacements if I were to do this again.
- The rim should be round and flat before you start to lace the wheel.
- Keep the wheel round and the spoke torque equal. If you can also keep the lateral runout within specs great, but don’t try for perfection (especially when using Radaelli rims).
- A spoke torque wrench would be nice, but a fish scale with a cheap spoke wrench works in a pinch.
- Don’t try to be a perfectionist.
Wheel check
![Checking runout](./t-19991201-1552-1129.jpg)
Checking runout
![Brake hub side](./t-19991201-1552-1130.jpg)
Brake hub side
This is where I reversed the wheel on my latest “stand” to check the tolerances on the brake surface. With equal tension on the spokes the run-out wasn’t nearly what it was on an earlier try. One wheel was .002, the other was .008. Both are high, but experienced people tell me I won’t feel anything less than .015 or so.
Wheels true
![Still round](./t-19991201-1553-1131.jpg)
Still round
![Duct tape](./t-19991201-1817-1132.jpg)
Duct tape
![Other wheel](./t-19991201-1818-1133.jpg)
Other wheel
Both wheels are done. I added duct tape to cover any sharp edges after checking that no spokes protruded into the tube area. I plan on also using a rubber protection strip. Belts and suspenders.
1999 December 9 (Thursday)
I picked up the wheels today from CCM in San Jose where tires were being installed and balanced. I can do that job myself, but was feeling lazy. The front got a 90/90 x 18 ME-33 (a bit smaller than the 3.50 x 18 stock tire) and the rear got a ME-99A 4.00 x 18 (a bit larger than the 1966 stock 3.50 x 18, but the size used for the R69 US models).
Tires and hub cover
![Tires mounted](./t-19991209-1309-1134.jpg)
Tires mounted
![Stainless hub cover](./t-19991209-1313-1135.jpg)
Stainless hub cover
The first picture are the wheels with tires as them came back from CCM. I then added the stainless hub covers. The combination of new, shiny rims with the stainless hub cover looks great.
Installing front wheel
![Brake hub fit](./t-19991209-1328-1136.jpg)
Brake hub fit
![Front wheel installed](./t-19991209-1355-1137.jpg)
Front wheel installed
![Front wheel installed](./t-19991209-1356-1138.jpg)
Front wheel installed
I made sure that the brake hub fit in the front swing arm slot before mounting the wheel. The concern was that it wouldn’t fit because of the paint. No problem. I then installed the entire front wheel.
Front brake lever
![Missing brake lever](./t-19991209-1408-1139.jpg)
Missing brake lever
![Brake cable routing](./t-19991209-1512-1140.jpg)
Brake cable routing
DON’T DO THIS. Notice the missing brake lever in the first picture. Hint: you can’t install it with the hub mounted. Oh well. The second picture was taken after removing the axle and moving the hub back enough to mount the lever.
I may have to do this a couple more times to get the lever exactly where it needs to go. The second picture is a rough approximation of brake cable routing. Nothing has been adjusted yet.
Free standing
![Frame with front wheel](./t-19991209-1512-1141.jpg)
Frame with front wheel
The frame is quite solid sitting on front tire and center stand. It is the first time the bike hasn’t needed external support in over a year.