Laced Wheel Wrong?

My guess is the nipples (and spokes) are the wrong size (diameter).
Your pic looks like the nipples are about to pull out of the holes (left), Vs Niels pic on the right.
Either that or the rim was drilled for larger nipples.

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Heres the front. They are the exact same wheel, just slightly narrower (18x2.15), and they use the exact spoke that MikesXs suggests and they also have slight gaps. So part of me thinks these are just the style and expected???

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Your front look right, but your rear does not look right - the gap and the way the nipple fit is off - I would start over on the rear - know it sucks as you already have the tire on
Attached a few pics of a front wheel like yours I just did.
 

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If I compare the two wheel photos below (of course one is brake side, one is sprocket side), and assume that the original wheel posted by @willis was laced correctly, you can see a distinct, repetitive 4-spoke pattern. Maybe it's me, but I don't see the same symmetry in the OP's wheel?

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Yes to that and Mr Automan about 8 o clock

Looking At 8

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Looking at 2 o clock

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I does not look the same maybe the picture but it looks different
 
The thing is; wheels are drilled for spokes to be used with a certain hub size.
Your rear wheel prolly was drilled to fit a smaller diameter (disk brake) hub.
This is a common problem with generic rims. Some sellers will mention drilled for a disk brake OR a drum brake hub that usually gets the holes pretty close.
I've made the wrong type rim work but it's a bit of a kludge.
A company like Buchanans has a set up to drill rims CORRECTLY for your specified hub diameter AND width, both matter, not just some generic size hub.
This rear has slightly bent spokes from misaligned spoke holes in the rim but has been in service for well over 10K miles with no issues.
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PS I don't see an issue with your spoke pattern.
 
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I did a bicycle Wheel Yesterday Perhaps there are better descriptions out there but maybe this can help
I replaced the rear worn out hub and tightened the spokes not being careful figured I could adjust with the tire on later
That failed

So I had to take the tire off
Loosened every spoke
And then tightened every spoke about the same amount it is visible per

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If something is wrong there is a fair chance they wont stick out the same and one can see it

I can see there is a slot for a flathead screwdriver there also which is much easier to work on than the spoke wrench


After every spoke is tightened about the same amount -- the wheel is not so bad I only checked runout sideways and did not use a clock
I used a piece of chalk holding it fixed and then spinning the wheel but one can find it spinning the wheel stopping it at the points where it is wrong sideways

I then adjusted -- If it is sticking out to the right I loosen the tension on the one pulling it in that direction and tightened the 2 on each side pulling it in the other direction Not big steps 1/4 turn or 1/2 on the threads

One can spin it back and forth at the same High point do it again 1/4 turn or 1/2

Then it is just a question of patience and how straight the wheel needs to be

Then at the end I tightened all so nothing was loose and checked run out again and it was straight
 
An update if anyone was interested... Reached out to MikesXS after verifying the laces numerous times. They told me to true the wheels even though they didn't sit flush and that I have it in writing that they'll replace anything if it gets damaged. Well I did so and here's the end results lol.

This is them snugged down, but I didn't kill them. I could easily give them another turn or two, but that would be borderline TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT. It's like the spokes are the right length, but the holes on the wheels for the spokes are slightly off angle. In the pics you can see the spokes bow/bend just a bit and it seems like it's because the holes point away just the tiniest amount which makes them unaligned.

Assuming this is an absolute no go, but waiting to hear back from MikesXS on their thoughts.
 

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The thing is; wheels are drilled for spokes to be used with a certain hub size.
Your rear wheel prolly was drilled to fit a smaller diameter (disk brake) hub.
This is a common problem with generic rims. Some sellers will mention drilled for a disk brake OR a drum brake hub that usually gets the holes pretty close.
I've made the wrong type rim work but it's a bit of a kludge.
A company like Buchanans has a set up to drill rims CORRECTLY for your specified hub diameter AND width, both matter, not just some generic size hub.
This rear has slightly bent spokes from misaligned spoke holes in the rim but has been in service for well over 10K miles with no issues.
View attachment 370532 View attachment 370533 View attachment 370534
PS I don't see an issue with your spoke pattern.
That's interesting because mine are "universal" too, but the spokes explicitly state they are good for "1970-1984 Yamaha XS 650 with 18 inch Rear Drum Brakes" which is what I got. But I see the slight bow in your spokes there in the 3rd pic. Mine seem SLIGHTLY more bowed, but not by much. Hopefully it's not going to be an issue, but I guess I'll see what MikesXS comes back with.
 
It appears you have both a new rim and new spokes - if both came from mikesxs I would ask for my money back and find another source - I would be unhappy if my spoke bend like yours taking they both are sold as a fit for the xs with drum brakes.
Whether they’ll hold up I don’t know - personally I wouldn’t drive if my spokes were bend like that.
 
Yes It can be a problem
The bend in the spoke adds a bending stress at the convex side ( right picture 2 ) Superimposed on the tensile stress from the tightening
That gives a higher load case ..than intended assuming tightened the same. As if straight
There is also a risk the nipple is landing on one side only because spoke is bent And comes loose.
 
Can it be Adam have it there ? Not thought through putting it out here

Looks like the rim is reversed as the spokes are not sitting correctly in the holes.
I say break it down and start again.

Flipping it around a Vertical Axle 180 degrees Will the holes line up better have anyone heard about that ?
 
Can it be Adam have it there ? Not thought through putting it out here



Flipping it around a Vertical Axle 180 degrees Will the holes line up better have anyone heard about that ?
I actually had that thought originally and did that. Took the spokes out and tried lacing again, but starting with the other side of the wheel first. Had the same fit, however I didn't snug them down like I did in these pictures... which eventually bent them.

I think this is just the case with MikesXS "universal" wheel. It doesn't offer a perfectly flush fit.
 
I actually had that thought originally and did that. Took the spokes out and tried lacing again, but starting with the other side of the wheel first. Had the same fit, however I didn't snug them down like I did in these pictures... which eventually bent them.

I think this is just the case with MikesXS "universal" wheel. It doesn't offer a perfectly flush fit.
As above it's more likely than not when using generic wheels like Mikes does.....
Out in the weeds warning, but I have used (and will do it again) a rim hole re-alignment tool I made.
 
Years ago, I ordered both rims from Mike's along with spokes. I decided that I didn't want to lace and balance them so I took them to Woody's Wheel Works in Denver. He has been doing complete wheel business since 1976 for lots of local and national racers, etc. They called my 2 days later and said the holes weren't drilled correctly and it would cost an additional $1.00/ hole. A few days later, I got a call that they were ready. After I picked them up, I sent Mike's an email telling him the problem with his rims. He credited me $36. I argued with him and told him that it's not good business to do only 1/2. I got the additional money from him in credit. I regret not taking my '77 drum hub and front hub to Woody's in the 1st place and letting him do it all.
Woody's do there own complete wheel service.

https://woodyswheelworks.com
 
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