Spoke Material - Before I buy new Spokes.

[Eldrick]

I am going to buy new spokes for my '75 400f and Apart from DS I see Central Wheel Components (CWC) also sell spokes and list three different 'finishes' for want of a better word.

Galvanised steel was the traditional material for spokes, although stainless steel is now more popular and gives a better longer lasting finish.
Polished stainless steel gives spokes a chrome-like appearance, but without the same level of maintenance.
Single butted spokes are only produced in stainless steel and can only be supplied polished.


Q. Would I be right to think that the Single Butted ones are 'better' insofar as they will stay bright, be longer lasting as well as being overall less cleaning or just easier to keep them looking good?

What I actually want is for the bike to look mostly original and I am not sure which spoke set would accomplish that aim.
There is also two types of nipples listed, with the suggestion that the Single Butted spokes would require the Brass-nickel plated nipples. No real question there just want to be 'kept right' before I buy.



Q. Spokes are listed by size, 16", 17", 18", 19" and 20" How do I measure my current rims to ensure I get the correct spokes?

I can only presume that the rims on the bike are original.


Also, any advice on 'rim tape' would be helpfull too.
Thanks
K

[Nurse Julie]

Polished stainless are what we always use.
The butted bit relates to the 'thickness ' at each end, off the top of my head I can't remember if 400's use non butted or single butted but someone will answer you on that. They definitely aren't double butted, I can remember that 😁
If you tell CWC what bike it's for, they supply a kit.
Yes, you need rim tape.

[AshimotoK0]

I think Silvers may sell decent pattern one in bright zinc ..rears are same as CB250K and they deffo do those in decent quality pattern.both fronts and rears single butted on 400F. Personally and for originality I have never used stainless...but that's just me wanting originality.

[taysidedragon]

If you don't ride your bike on salty winter roads and keep your bike clean the galvanised or zinc plated spokes will last just fine. Stainless steel is a bit harder than mild steel and more brittle. They are slightly more prone to breaking, occasionally that can be a problem.

Other suppliers are Devon Rim Company and Hagon.

[ozzybud]

If you want the correct yellow nipples buy the zinc kits from CMS. They are a perfect match to the originals. DSS has silver nipples.

[AshimotoK0]

If you want the correct yellow nipples buy the zinc kits from CMS. They are a perfect match to the originals. DSS has silver nipples.

Seems pot luck with Silvers ..some are silver some chromate yellow. They have crosshead nipples as well ..originals were just slotted.

[Murf]

I would also go for stainless steel ones just because with the odd polish now and then they will stay looking good forever.  Also the zink plating you get now days just isn’t very good and often very thin. 
The spoke size 16” 18” etc just refers to the spokes length and not the wheel diameter so measure the spokes your wheel now has and get the same. Somewhere like Central Wheel will probably know what size spokes you need if you tell them what bike it’s for.

[Laverda Dave]

Had this question been asked this morning I could have gone out into the garage and checked my original 400f to see if the spokes are butted or not. Alas my 400f left the garage for the last time late this morning. I rode it the 50 miles to its new owner. It will be taking pride of place in his dining room following a clean (I drained the fuel tank when I got there).
I can definitely advise the spokes were galvanised, had yellow nipples and the DID logo in the centre of the rim.

[Spitfire]

Having suffered with rusty spokes on my CB750K1 and my FI, when I re rimmed the F1 I went for stainless and have never looked back since.

Cheers

Dennis

[exvalvesetdabbler]

OEM spokes have a thicker portion towards the hub.  Nipples are zinc yellow.


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Regards
Dave