Replacing spokes on GS wheel

GB · 02-21-2005, 12:20 PM

I keep reading how the design of the GS wheel allows you to replace spokes on the go, without remvoing the rubber. My questions are:

Is it possible to break or damage a spoke without also damaging the rim? If my spoke is broken or damaged, won't I have bigger things to worry about?

Is it really realistic to damage only a spoke, without damaging the rim? If so, how?

I'm not being flip here, I'm just trying to learn.

Pugnacious · 02-21-2005, 01:34 PM

I had one rear spoke break on my 2002 R1150GS with no other damage and it was replaced in the matter of just a few minutes.

MikeB · 02-21-2005, 03:37 PM

I broke a rear spoke, too, just snapped off at the flanged head. No rim damage. Screwed a new one in in seconds. Now I always carry a spare.

inyang · 02-21-2005, 11:13 PM

Could you describe how to tighten up the spokes?
What tool do you use? (plier on spoke body and torx at head?)

mitch · 02-22-2005, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inyang

Could you describe how to tighten up the spokes?
What tool do you use? (plier on spoke body and torx at head?)

With a spoke spanner

most bike shops will have them

MikeB · 02-22-2005, 06:40 AM

Just a torx. You might have to hold the spoke shaft with pliers until there's enough tension to keep it from turning, but I just held it with my fingers. Once it snugs a little it won't turn.

Mully · 02-22-2005, 07:01 AM

Not so fast, boys. There's a set screw in each 'nipple' - 2mm hex key as I recall. There's a torque spec for the nipple and once it's seated, the set screw is locked-down to prevent loosening.

mully

rtrider · 02-22-2005, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mully

Not so fast, boys. There's a set screw in each 'nipple' - 2mm hex key as I recall. There's a torque spec for the nipple and once it's seated, the set screw is locked-down to prevent loosening.

mully

why is it not permitted to replace more than one spoke?

MikeB · 02-22-2005, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Not so fast, boys. There's a set screw in each 'nipple' - 2mm hex key as I recall. There's a torque spec for the nipple and once it's seated, the set screw is locked-down to prevent loosening.

Well then, my 02 1150GS must be a one-off model, because I don't know what you are talking about and neither do my spokes. Maybe the 650s have a different system.

inyang · 02-22-2005, 09:04 AM

No set screw in my wheels either (12GS), just the torx head.

BajaJim · 02-22-2005, 03:35 PM

My '01 1150GS has the set screws. They are tiny and hard to see. I read about them somewhere, maybe the booklet that came with the bike. Otherwise, I would never have guessed they were there.

configurationspace · 02-22-2005, 04:08 PM

There's no set-screws on my 2003 1150 GS. I bought extra spokes and nipples, too, and no set screws there, either.

I don't see the need for the "spoke spanner" either. You just put the spoke into the nipple and tighten -- the tension stops the other end from spinning.

Bronco Billy · 02-23-2005, 02:54 AM

Rode off with a "D" lock still in my front wheel. Bent Two spokes but sprung the Oxford lock open. Replaced the spokes (with grub screws in). Use an old spoke as a tuning fork with other spokes to get spot on tension.

yee haaa!

inyang · 02-24-2005, 04:35 AM

Checked, there is a set screw in the nipple (05 12GS wheel).

Args · 02-24-2005, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtrider

why is it not permitted to replace more than one spoke?

Coz at 2+ you start to get into issues with tension and dish on the wheel, and you need to get them set up properly, or you risk damage to the wheel.

02-21-2005, 12:20 PM	#1
GB ^OP Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,442	Replacing spokes on GS wheel I keep reading how the design of the GS wheel allows you to replace spokes on the go, without remvoing the rubber. My questions are: Is it possible to break or damage a spoke without also damaging the rim? If my spoke is broken or damaged, won't I have bigger things to worry about? Is it really realistic to damage only a spoke, without damaging the rim? If so, how? I'm not being flip here, I'm just trying to learn. __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

02-21-2005, 11:13 PM	#4
inyang 5secs away Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Lagos/Port Harcourt, Nigeria Oddometer: 209	tools and technique Could you describe how to tighten up the spokes? What tool do you use? (plier on spoke body and torx at head?) __________________ '11 - 690R

02-22-2005, 07:01 AM	#7
Mully Kineticist Joined: Jul 2001 Location: The Comstock Oddometer: 3,749	Not so fast, boys. There's a set screw in each 'nipple' - 2mm hex key as I recall. There's a torque spec for the nipple and once it's seated, the set screw is locked-down to prevent loosening. mully __________________ Most people have no idea what they're doing.....and they're pretty good at it. - George Carlin

02-22-2005, 09:04 AM	#10
inyang 5secs away Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Lagos/Port Harcourt, Nigeria Oddometer: 209	No set screw in my wheels either (12GS), just the torx head. __________________ '11 - 690R

02-24-2005, 04:35 AM	#14
inyang 5secs away Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Lagos/Port Harcourt, Nigeria Oddometer: 209	Checked, there is a set screw in the nipple (05 12GS wheel). __________________ '11 - 690R

02-21-2005, 01:34 PM	#2
Pugnacious Life is good at 4,200' Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Julian, CA Oddometer: 63	I had one rear spoke break on my 2002 R1150GS with no other damage and it was replaced in the matter of just a few minutes.

02-21-2005, 03:37 PM	#3
MikeB Retired bureaucrat Joined: Jun 2004 Location: California Gold Country Oddometer: 502	I broke a rear spoke, too, just snapped off at the flanged head. No rim damage. Screwed a new one in in seconds. Now I always carry a spare.

02-22-2005, 06:40 AM	#6
MikeB Retired bureaucrat Joined: Jun 2004 Location: California Gold Country Oddometer: 502	Just a torx. You might have to hold the spoke shaft with pliers until there's enough tension to keep it from turning, but I just held it with my fingers. Once it snugs a little it won't turn.

02-22-2005, 03:35 PM	#11
BajaJim Dirt Research Joined: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego, California Oddometer: 128	My '01 1150GS has the set screws. They are tiny and hard to see. I read about them somewhere, maybe the booklet that came with the bike. Otherwise, I would never have guessed they were there.

02-22-2005, 04:08 PM	#12
configurationspace delooper Joined: Jan 2003 Location: Deutschland Oddometer: 6,913	There's no set-screws on my 2003 1150 GS. I bought extra spokes and nipples, too, and no set screws there, either. I don't see the need for the "spoke spanner" either. You just put the spoke into the nipple and tighten -- the tension stops the other end from spinning.

02-23-2005, 02:54 AM	#13
Bronco Billy Adventurer Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Coalville, England Oddometer: 14	Rode off with a "D" lock still in my front wheel. Bent Two spokes but sprung the Oxford lock open. Replaced the spokes (with grub screws in). Use an old spoke as a tuning fork with other spokes to get spot on tension. yee haaa!

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