Another Spoke question

Grumpy

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Have any of you had one break and do they usually snap at the rim, or hub end? I see some advocate wiring spokes in case of one failing.
 

Checkswrecks

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Have any of you had one break and do they usually snap at the rim, or hub end? I see some advocate wiring spokes in case of one failing.
The nipples at the hub end disappear, releasing the spoke.
Somewhere around here are photos of one that scored a line into one side of the swing arm.
 

Nev..

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Just discovered I have a bent rear spoke today. Hub nipple missing and spoke flailing around as described. Yamaha only sell them as a full set. Does anyone know if the full set of spokes includes the full set of hub nipples? Don't really want to buy a full set to replace one, but I don't have the patience to try to source a single spoke either.
 

OldRider

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Just discovered I have a bent rear spoke today. Hub nipple missing and spoke flailing around as described. Yamaha only sell them as a full set. Does anyone know if the full set of spokes includes the full set of hub nipples? Don't really want to buy a full set to replace one, but I don't have the patience to try to source a single spoke either.
The set from Yamaha comes with all the spokes and nipples.
 

stubble

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I have lost 5 rear spokes in a year of ownership of my 2014. The last one chewed up my swingarm pretty good. I just bought a bicycle torque wrench and found that most of my rear spokes were far too loose. Like some took a full turn to reach 6nm. I had previously checked via sound and feel but it wasn’t enough. Hopefully this does it. Its a real drag to keep dealing with this.

I will definitely do the zip tie method also.
 

Grumpy

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I have now zip tied mine. I also found on ebay a guy in the UK splitting a full set, so I have a couple of spares to leave in the side case.
 
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bnschroder

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I have a Syntace Torque Tool that goes from 1 - 20 Nm, but I actually don't really use it on the spokes. I ping them and tighten them when they sound out of tune.
 
B

ballisticexchris

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I have lost 5 rear spokes in a year of ownership of my 2014. The last one chewed up my swingarm pretty good. I just bought a bicycle torque wrench and found that most of my rear spokes were far too loose. Like some took a full turn to reach 6nm. I had previously checked via sound and feel but it wasn’t enough. Hopefully this does it. Its a real drag to keep dealing with this.

I will definitely do the zip tie method also.
I have just over 2000 miles on mine and they are just now starting to "bed in". I check the spokes before every ride now.

https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/how-long-to-bed-in-the-spokes.25239/#post-349963
 
R

RonH

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I think the torque spec is 4.1ft/lb or therabout. Use a decent torque wrench every 4000 miles or so, and you'll never lose a spoke. Use the ping method, then for sure ziptie as they will fall off sooner or later. Ping method just like kicking a tire to check air pressure. Not very accurate to say the least.
Some guys break spokes= overtighten from not accurate torque wrench, others lose nipples= ping method ect. Do it right, no need to worry of spokes flopping around, and only necessary every 4000 miles. Even then, minimal adjustment is ever needed on a few spokes
 

Grumpy

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I bought this Topek 6nm (they also come in 4nm&5nm) It's not a ratchet, it's for the last nip up, put a hex key one end, turn and when you hear the "click" stop. Nice and small and lives under the seat.
2ls2gp.jpg
I may have got it fitted round the wrong way in this shot, but I don't think it matters it's to give you the idea. This is the front wheel that is the most difficalt to access, but it's no real problem. You can use a small pair of pliers to turn the key.
21eru4k.jpg
 
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stubble

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I did my front too after my original post above and found them all way too loose (ping method did not reveal - get a torque wrench). Used an alternating pattern to snug it all ip. I’m hoping now I won’t have any more trouble but I will check again in a few months.
 

EricV

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Just as an example, you don't need anything fancy to do the job well. Home Depot sells an in/lb torque wrench that's not bad for less than $40. A 5mm allen socket and normal socket extension are all you need to complete the tools required. LINK

Its really good™ for any task that you not be at the extreme end of the rating for the torque wrench. The 52 in/lb spec falls nicely inside the meat of the range of the torque wrench I linked to. They tend to not be as accurate at the very ends of the range. Sometimes dramatically so.
 

EricV

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I think the torque spec is 4.1ft/lb or therabout. Use a decent torque wrench every 4000 miles or so, and you'll never lose a spoke. Use the ping method, then for sure ziptie as they will fall off sooner or later. Ping method just like kicking a tire to check air pressure. Not very accurate to say the least.
Some guys break spokes= overtighten from not accurate torque wrench, others lose nipples= ping method ect. Do it right, no need to worry of spokes flopping around, and only necessary every 4000 miles. Even then, minimal adjustment is ever needed on a few spokes
What Ron said. :) And as info for everyone reading this thread, spec on the spokes is: 6 Nm - 4.3 Ft/Lbs - 52 in/lbs (51.6, but I round up). The more places this is posted accurately, the easier it will be for others to find if they don't have a Factory Shop Manual, which I do for my '15, and did for my '12, (it's the same on all years).

For most riders, after the first 4-5k miles, just checking them at tire changes is often enough. Clearly you will notice when things settle down, and if they don't, check more often.
 
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