When we first got our project '79 FXE Harley it was dripping with cheesy '80s ride-to-live chrome covers and a ton of other crap destined for the dumpster.
After we had stripped off most of the lameness, we decided that the old 19-inch front wheel needed to be replaced with a 21-incher neatly wrapped in an Avon Speedmaster.
Since this bike is a commuter, we decided that retaining the dual-disc setup was probably a good thing. Instead of buying a new wheel off the shelf, we were going to build a wheel with the stock 35mm hub that the bike came with.
After asking our pals at Wheel Works for some advise on spoke sizes and the best rim to use, one of the techs Adam suggested that it would be better and much faster if we just bring the hub in and let them work their magic.
So, the very next day camera in hand, we trucked on over to see just how the pros build a wheel. Once there we decided to go with a set of stainless steel spokes, stainless nipples due to their anti-corrosion properties and a chromed-steel no-name 21x1.85 rim because it matched the rear H-D wheel to a tee.
It took Wheel Works a fraction of the time it would have taken us to lace up the wheel, put new bearings in the hub, and get it trued and tensioned correctly. Even though we like to work on our bikes ourselves it is good to know that at 70mph this wheel is not going to send us to an early grave. Thanks Wheel Works!
01.
Here is the lowly 19-inch...
01.
Here is the lowly 19-inch front wheel for our FXE in need of some growth.
02.
We chucked-up our die...
02.
We chucked-up our die grinder, cut the spokes and cleaned the hub up a bit.
03.
The parts pile was laid...
03.
The parts pile was laid out and ready to be built.
04.
All of the spokes were...
04.
All of the spokes were installed into the hub and four-crossed before the rim was laid over them to check for proper fit.
05.
Once everything checked...
05.
Once everything checked out okay, the nipples were screwed onto the spokes a few turns each.
06.
The nipples were then...
06.
The nipples were then further screwed onto the spokes with an electric drill.
07.
The bearing races were...
07.
The bearing races were pressed into the hub and the surface greased.
08.
Fresh grease was also...
08.
Fresh grease was also pumped into the new Timkin bearings.
09.
Adam installed the bearings,...
09.
Adam installed the bearings, got the wheel on the truing stand, and started adding tension to the spokes.
10.
When the wheel was near...
10.
When the wheel was near completion, Adam measured the trueness of the wheel both vertically and laterally.
11.
Once the wheel was arrow-straight...
11.
Once the wheel was arrow-straight and properly tensioned, Adam installed a new Avon Speedmaster tire.
12.
The wheel was then digitally...
12.
The wheel was then digitally checked for proper balance.
13.
A wheel weight was installed...
13.
A wheel weight was installed to correct the wheel's minor imbalance.
14.
The new larger-circumference...
14.
The new larger-circumference wheel was finally mounted on the bike and ready to ride!