FOAK: Straight spoke tightening ?

Last Friday I upgraded my agricultural equipment. The XT is for
sale and a Yamaha TT600R has taken over.

Now, being semi modern, the TTR has these straight spokes,
no bend at the hub end.
Some of these on the drive side of the rear wheel are really loose.
How do I tighten them ? The nipple thread is "a bit" reluctant to
move and of course all that happens when I try to tighten is that
the whole spoke turns. Do I grip the spoke with some pliers ?
Some trick I don't know of ?

 

Found this site quite interesting
http://www.dansmc.com/spokewheels.htm

HTH


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Robbo
1500GL 1988 Goldwing (Waiting Sale)
BMW K100 RS 1984
"Fairly Quick" status. Silver level
BotaFOF #19. E.O.S.M 2001/2002/2003/2004.
B.O.S.M 2003, 2004 .FURSWB#1 KotL..YTC449
PM#7
..

 

Thank you. Interesting, yes, but I've searching the net quite a bit
and found all sorts of sites but none that even mention the problem
I'm experiencing.
Did you know that there is quite a debate among pushbike wheel
builders about the pros and cons of linseed oil as a combined
locking compound and rust protection ?

I got a tip on R.M.T. that sounds good. Grip the spoke with some
pliers with some soft metal in between to protect it.

 

It might sound daft, but something like wheels is as far as I am concerned,
as important as something like tyres, and brakes. If you can't quite get it
right, like the website Robbo linked to suggests, either work at it real
slow (including get further advice if necessary) or what I would do would be
to take it to someone professional to build it up for you - or even just to
consult their advice.

 

Maybe a cast off wheel rim weight with a bit of emery wrapped round?

 

Good idea. I tested today with some thin steel strip and a pipe wrench,
no luck. Gave the nipples a new dose of penetrating oil and will try
again in a few days with some other materials.

Unfortunately, the realistic way to go seems to be a set of new spokes
at the next rear tyre change.

 

Thanks for the concern but I think I know a bit about how to take care
of my bikes. Some years ago I successfully rebuilt a rear wheel and it was
rather fun, actually. The problem is that this is not nice well lubed new
parts and it has a spoke type I'm not familiar with.

 

Heat will work. You can try this with the tyre on, but you'll be wanting
a new rim tape later. Use Mole grips set to F.T. on the mid spoke with
the emery round soft metal folded round and heat the nipple with a gas
torch. It won't do the chrome on the spokes any favours, but it's
cheaper than a wheel rebuild.