What Size Spoke Wrench?

[Bonaventure]

Wrong terminology my last attempt at asking this. Seek to know what mm spoke wrench or socket needed for routine maintenance of spoke tension. Seems closely guarded info as I can find it no where, including the shop manual. I did glean on here that the torque range for spoke tension is 5 - 7 NM, but no info on the size of the hex fitting on the spoke tension nut.

 

[kiwi dave]

Can't you measure it with some vernier calipers?

 

[Bonaventure]

I don't have any calipers. Kind of blows my mind how obscure this info appears to be, given search results on google and over on wild guzzi forum. Especially when considering the importance of spoke tension checks on the Alpina wheels during routine maintenance of the bike.

Alpina manual on PDF states 4-7nm for spoke torque, but never cites the hex spoke's size.

 

[kiwi dave]

Will your local dealer measure them for you, or an service center for that matter?

Or go to a shop that sells spoke wrenches and ask for one that fits your spokes. Surely they will let you try them for fitment?

 

[Bonaventure]

Given the importance of proper tension especially with these o-ringed Alpina's, would've thought the spoke hex size info to be more widely available. Surely everyone is performing a tension check at each service interval?

 

[john zibell]

Surely everyone is performing a tension check at each service interval?

Probably not. You do realize it would be best to torque with tire off so you can get an actual true reading? Torquing from the side using a crow foot changes the applied torque. Also turning the nipple repeatedly has a good chance of damaging the o-rings. Most folks I know with these Alpina wheels are applying a seal to the inside of the rim and not bothering with trying to keep the o-rings sealed.

 

[Bonaventure]

Probably not.

Pg 225 of my 2016 owner manual has the following entry within the Periodic Maintenance Chart:

"Wheel Nipple Tightening (1)" for each 6200 mile (10,000km) interval. (1) is a notation to "Check and Clean, Adjust If Necessary..."

Seems to be about ensuring uniform spoke tension for proper wheel dynamics during operation and particularly important at the first service as the new wheels settle in.

And, there's this thread:

https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/alpina-spokes-a-death-wish.6725/

In that discussion, forum admin Todd recommended regular tension checks.

You do realize it would be best to torque with tire off so you can get an actual true reading?

Tire off the ground w/ bike on ctr stand, rotate each spoke to same physical position should be okay. Seeing pro mechanics doing it that way on youtube.

Torquing from the side using a crow foot changes the applied torque.

Will be using a Tusk spoke torque wrench. They're calibrated to allow for the crows foot configuration. Alpina STS maintenance manual says 4 - 7 NM torque spec. Figure I'll set to 5 NM (44.3 in-lbs) to allow for possible applied torque error.

Also turning the nipple repeatedly has a good chance of damaging the o-rings. Most folks I know with these Alpina wheels are applying a seal to the inside of the rim and not bothering with trying to keep the o-rings sealed.

While potential small scale air seepage is possible it's more about wheel integrity for me. If there's one phenomenon in motorcycling that gets my attention it's head shake, wobble, tank slappers. Coming from cast wheels in past bikes, during my introduction to spoke/laced wheels I've learned that improper spoke tension can increase the possibility of wobble. So it would follow that to ensure the highest likelihood of safe operation, regular spoke tension checks as recommended in the owner manual, are important.

 

[Bonaventure]

Kit arrived today. The spoke fittings take a 6.3mm wrench.