Friday, March 7, 2014
How to Lace Motorcycle Wheels
Lacing motorcycle wheels is partly master craft and partly black art. Good wheel builders can lace a wheel perfectly in half an hour. Lacing all motorcycle wheels involves basically the same set of patient skills. The difference between wheels is in the details of each particular wheel. A key concept to understand about lacing wheels is that you will always be working with two slightly different kinds of spokes. Half the spokes in a wheel will be slightly longer than the other half. This is how to lace a 21-inch rear wheel for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Harley calls the two kinds of spokes upper and lower row spokes.
Instructions
- 1
Clear a three-foot-square space on a table. Put the hub on the table with the wide flange (brake disc) side down.
2Insert a spoke in each hole of the lower row of holes on top of the hub to begin to build the hub assembly. Center the rim over this hub assembly with the valve stem hole facing up.
3Place the unconnected end of any lower row hub assembly spoke into the rim hole that is angled to correctly accept the spoke on the upper half of the rim center line. Insert the rest of the lower row spokes in every fourth rim hole.
4Insert the first upper row spoke into the hub assembly. Angle the spoke counterclockwise so it crosses four lower row spokes. This spoke must enter the rim hole to the right of the valve stem hole
5Insert the remaining upper row spokes into every fourth remaining hole above the rim center line.
6Turn the partially assembled wheel over so the brake disc side is up. Insert any lower row spoke into the hub. Angle the spoke clockwise and insert the other end of the spoke into the rim hole that naturally accepts it.
7Insert each of the remaining lower row spokes into the hub, angle each clockwise and insert each into the rim.
8Insert any upper row spoke into the hub, angle it counterclockwise and insert the opposite end into the appropriate rim hole. Install all the remaining upper row spokes.
9Tighten all spoke nipples to 40 to 50 inch-pounds of torque with a spoke wrench.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
How to Remove Steering Wheels in 1990 Chevy Trucks
Removing a steering wheel from 1990 Chevrolet trucks requires a specialized pulling tool. You will need this puller because hammering on the shaft can cause damage. You might have to remove the steering wheel if you need to do repairs on the steering system or components in the dashboard or instrument cluster. Experienced home mechanics can do the job in a few simple steps.
Instructions
- 1
Pop the hood on the Chevy truck and disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Wait two to five minutes so residual power drains out of the truck. This is a safety precaution because you will be working with electrical components. Also, this will temporarily disable air bags, if the truck is equipped with them.
2Pry up the horn pad with a screwdriver. You might want to use a screwdriver with the tip wrapped in tape so none of the screwdrivers edges cause any accidental damage.
3Disconnect the horns grounding wire.
4Remove the nut from the center of the steering wheel with a socket wrench.
5Inspect the shaft of the steering wheel for any markings that denote position. If see any, mark the shaft yourself. It will help you reinstall the steering wheel correctly.
6Fit the pulling tool at the center of the steering wheel. Turn it until the steering wheel becomes detached or can be pulled from from the shaft.
