Wheel Spoke Length

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wmscottsutherland
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First Name: Scott
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Wheel Spoke Length

Post by wmscottsutherland » Tue Aug 05, 2025 5:07 pm

I tried searching but could not find anything. That does not mean I searched for the term or terms that should be used.

I need help trying to determine the correct spoke size for some wheels I am trying to rebuild.

The measurements I get from the wheel seem to be incorrect. These are demountable wheels and the rims are 30x1/2. The one measurement I know is correct is the 1/2" tenon.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Scott

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Wheel Spoke Length

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Aug 05, 2025 5:35 pm

The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Topic author
wmscottsutherland
Posts: 40
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:21 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Sutherland
Location: Cheyenne WY

Re: Wheel Spoke Length

Post by wmscottsutherland » Tue Aug 05, 2025 7:39 pm

Thanks Mr. Jelf. I have your press already book marked. That's why I wanted ted find the spoke so I could build the press and use it.

I knew you would have the answer.


Allan
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Re: Wheel Spoke Length

Post by Allan » Tue Aug 05, 2025 8:12 pm

I believe the Lang's listing Steve posted is somewhat misleading. Kelsey and Hayes did not merge until after T production ended, so in the T world the two brands of wheels are different. Hayes wheel felloes have depressions to accommodate the foot on the rim lugs. Some other felloes have cut outs to allow Hayes rims to fit. For wheels with fixed lugs like most US production, I believe the spoke length is the same, but tenon diameters may differ.

The length of spoke differs on the wheels having loose lug type rims. The felloes on our Canadian sourced Kelsey loose lug wheels are not as deep in cross section as fixed lug rims, so they require a longer spokes.

You need to know exactly what wheels you have before ordering, and it may be prudent to ascertain that all four wheels are the same.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Wheel Spoke Length

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed Aug 06, 2025 10:25 am

As usual, Allan is correct. Kelsey and Hayes were separate companies until the end of Model T production. :)
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

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