Front wheel spoke torques
 

So I'm about to build a front wheel and have been researching spoke torques.
The Tenere manual states 3 Nm which is for the oem rim.
Watching some build videos on motorcross rims they are torquing their spokes up to 15 or 18 Nm.
Anyone here built up a front excel rim for the Tenere and/or could suggest a rough torque setting.
3Nm too me seems way to low. I would have thought minimum of 8Nm from an engineering background rough guess.
Your thoughts...
Cheers.

I'm no expert at wheel building, but I have done it a handful of times with (I have to confess) mixed results, but the above ain't right! That's the sort of torque you would apply to fork pinch bolts, triple clamps etc. Way too much for spokes, or rather the nipples. (If they're yank videos it may well be 15-18 in lb?)

I've not come across a spoked motorcycle wheel needing more than 5-6Nm or torque, and many are (like ther OE wheel) around the 2-4Nm mark. It's very much dependent on the nipple size, with a 6.8mm nipple torque is usually 5.4Nm, much over 6Nm and it will shear.

Not sure what size nipples you get with the Excel rim kit for the Tenere, but they are unlikely to be any bigger than 6.8mm?

The vast majority of wheel builders I've come across don't actually use spoke torque wrenches as the torque settings are so small that the amount of lube applied to the nipple, or a speck of grit can effect the reading by as much as 50% (plus they use their experience). Fastidiously tightening every spoke to exactly the same "recommended" torque setting will not give you a true wheel. The torque quoted is really no more than a "maximum" you should go to in order to avoid breaking something.

A clue to what's right can be found in the fact that Talon/Excel's own torque wrench has a range of adjustment from 1.7 - 6.8Nm.

A dial gauge (or marker pen) and a careful ear for dinging the spokes whilst listening for an equal pitch sound to resonate from them is all you really need, or just take it to a good experienced wheel-builder who'll be able to build a wheel with new spokes and rim that's spot on in about half an hour!

Plus spoke torque wrenches are ridiculously expensive!

Thanks for the info.
You are right they probably were talking ft-lb. My head was getting muddled as it was late.
I'm all set to go with dial indicator and a lot of patience.
Now I know it's only a very low torque l have a much clearer picture in my head.
Cheers.
Ps. I ordered a spoke torque wrench last night..... damn.:hb:

How did the build go?

Rim only just arrived and stuck in the post office on a long weekend damn it.
Will have to be next weekend.
Will take pics and post up.

Here's a taster.
Full build report when I've finished.
This took two hours and only have slight run out to remove, very slight bump and a final tighten up all round.
So far fairly easy.
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/...202_101538.jpg

That looks awesome, did buy the jig or is it on loan? Well done!
Matt

Bought the truing stand last year from Torpedo 7 along with a spoke torque wrench last month which I'm still waiting on.
Also got a 680 kg rated bike lifter to get both wheels of the ground from Repco. Makes work so much easier.
Will finish wheel of tonight .

Why would you need a torque wrench for spokes.?:wow:

Because I didn't know any better and l am always over cautious when it comes to things I've never done before.
The spoke torque wrench came with a ratchet head as well so every time I change the oil now I will use it to "TORQUE" up the filter cover. :smilielol::smilielol:

Edit. Didn't finish off wheel build due to beer and cricket.
Watching our locals sides l reckon even they could beat the poms.