Arse - failed MOT

The XT failed on 4 loose front spokes, including the bent one I asked on
here about a while ago. Could've sworn I checked them but it could've been
worse, at least everything else is OK. On the downside, the bent one
promptly snapped at the first attempt to tighten it. I had no idea it would
be so difficult to get a single replacement spoke in Norwich or surrounding
area, looks like I'll be cancelling the re-test on Satruday.

Yamaha dealers want £32.00 for a complete set "don't sell them individually
mate". I have the number of a bloke
who may be able to make me one but no answer so far. Hopefully Google will
be my friend again.

 

Probably bad form answering you're own post but wtf, just found this that
may be of use to others:

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/cwc/spokes.html

 

Try a decent pedal bike shop. If they're decent they'll build wheels
and have a vast selection of spokes.

 

In sizes that would suit an XT's front wheel? Really?

 

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/ should be able to sort you out.

 

Cycle rims and hubs come in a huge variety of sizes, it's true, but I
seriously doubt they'd have any of the right guage, even if the
lengths were OK.

 

Might find something. In my old shop we had spoke sizes to cover
everything from 6inch up to 27 inch wheels. Dunno about diameter wise
but it's worth a try.

 

Thanks for the info, appreciated.

Spoke to CWC, they can do 10 for £12 including nipples (fnnarr) and postage,
which I thought was fair. Managed to get the broken one out without removing
the tyre (let the air out, held the tyre out of the way with a lever and
used needle nosed pliers to remove the nipple) so hopefully the new one will
go in the same, maybe.

 

I suggest that you take a close look at a spoked motorbike wheel. The
spokes are about twice the thickness of any cycle spoke I've ever
seen..

 

Fair enough. Might get it through the MOT though.

 

You have to get your arse MOTed? Is it a public service one?

 

I suspect a pushbike-sized nipple would be way too small, and just pull
straight through the rim - possibly even damage it in the process.

 

No way. Stand out like a sore thumb, they would. And even if they're
not a specific item to check they'd simply class it as not roadworthy.
And they'd be right, too.

 

In your dreams

 

But the bicycle shop may know of a supplier able to get suitable a M/C
spoke. They may even have something suitable lying about.