How many spokes do I really need?

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

The rear end on the Madura suddenly felt “loose”, I stopped counting after 16 broken spokes. Yikes! So I ordered a nice used wheel on Ebay, only to have the order cancelled and my money refunded. Do you know what happens to the items when this happens? Neither do I. The seller doesn’t get it back, it’s just gone.

So now I have to find another good wheel on ebay and find another way to ship it. Great.

 

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Might be easier, and safer, to find someone who rebuilds wheels professionally?

Russell

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

That’s neither cheap, fast or very common around these parts. And getting spokes isn’t that simple either, I’ve found one original set online for 150bucks. These are flat, and I haven’t found any third party mfgs that do these exact spokes.

So buying another wheel seemed like the simpler choice. I’ve managed to find another wheel in OK condition (still a tad of rust on the spokes but nothing major) that should serve me for a while. Then I’ll look into servicing the original.

This time I’m using Jetcarrier, they provide US-Europe shipping with a US CO-address. I have used them a few times in the past in similar situations.

[Fulmen]

On 17 June 2025 at 17:51 Fulmen Said:..

On 17 June 2025 at 17:51 Fulmen Said:

…I ordered a nice used wheel on Ebay, only to have the order cancelled and my money refunded. Do you know what happens to the items when this happens? Neither do I. The seller doesn’t get it back, it’s just gone.

 

 

 

Surely the seller would have to have cancelled the sale, so you get your money back and he keeps the wheel?

He must have got a better offer somewhere else.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

I don’t think so, these parts doesn’t exactly sell like hotcakes. Besides they had 3 other wheels in the shop so there wasn’t really much reason to pull a stunt like that.

 

 

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

If you bought it from outside EU, it’s possible the seller got put off by tax requirements.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Maybe, but that doesn’t make much sense either. There is no import taxes that I’m aware of, only VAT and afaik Ebay handles that. I’ve ordered from Ebay in the past with no issues. The only thing the cancellation notice said was “We wanted to let you know that unfortunately this item could not be shipped internationally”.

The seller got a similar notice: “We wanted to let you know that unfortunately this item could not be shipped internationally. As a result, your order can’t be fulfilled. This could be due to import restrictions or eligibility requirements.”

Again, not very useful. Now technically this isn’t the end of the world as it didn’t cost me anything and I have a new part en route. It’s the uncertainty that bugs me. Next time it could be something that I can’t re-order.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Having the wheel rebuilt is also an option regardless of this. Has anyone seen custom flat spokes anywhere? Here’s a picture of them:

https://www.picclickimg.com/LaAAAOSw-95bZhsS/Suzuki-Madura-Rear-Wheel-Spoke-Set-NEW.webp

I do not believe rounds spokes of the same cross section will fit without touching.

 

[Pete RimmerParticipant @peterimmer30576]

I’d have a go at making those spoke I reckon. Personally, I’d stick with round spokes and just set the bend in the inner ones so that they clear the outer.

[jamesp1Participant @jamesp1]

Buchananspokes.com in the US could most likely make you spokes to suit. They make spokes for cars, bikes and planes, including square and even twisted square cross-section. Devonrimcompany.com in the UK might also be able to make some up for you, or point you to someone who could.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

None of them list anything close to what I need, guess I’ll have to contact them once I have the wheel apart and can take some detailed measurements.

@Pete: Not sure I understand how that works.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Alright! New wheel arrived today, and it’s looking good. There is a bit of surface rust on the spokes but no major pitting. Tyre (Kenda Challenger) has a lot of meat left on it, but it’s from 2003 so idunno. Is it even worth trying it on a warm dry day?

[Fulmen]

On Fulmen Said:

Alright! New wheel arrived today, and it’s looking good. There is a bit of surface rust on the spokes but no major pitting. Tyre (Kenda Challenger) has a lot of meat left on it, but it’s from 2003 so idunno. Is it even worth trying it on a warm dry day?

As it’s a spoked wheel, presumably the tyre has a tube inside it, which could be older than the tyre. Do you really want to trust your life to an old tube which could have been patched, or is deteriorated or pinched when the tyre was last changed?

Then there is the rubber band that protects the tube from the ends of the spokes in the well of the wheel.

Do you feel lucky?

I do all my own motorcycle tyre changes and balancing, and I don’t take chances with tyres.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Could you stop being so sensible? I haven’t had a ride in nearly a month…

But yeah, I agree. It’s the inner tube I  worry most about. And even though it probably won’t kill me a flat is a major pain in the neck.

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