How often do you guys and gals check and tighten your spokes??? I checked mine last night and had 6 really loose ones on the back rim and the front rim was fine. Its a 08 TE 450 with 505 miles(32 and 1/2 hours) on it.
I went through a phase of maybe 10 bikes in 2 years with most major brands. The spoke tension went all over the place. XR100 was so loose the bike could not be ridden at one point. My TE250 has been the best in regards to spoke tension but whenever I work on the bike for any reason I'll take a metal tool and do a quick sound check on the spokes e.g. take a screwdriver or wrench and 'ping' the spokes by dragging it around them.
Yeah, i got the bike shop to put on a new tyre the other day and AFTER they put the tyre on they checked and found a pulled through spoke - arrgghhh!!! So i couldnt even cut it off now and just leave it out - so i cable tied it to the next spoke and i will ride and pray Prior to this i had never checked them - but i will be whenever i do oil.
I've had to tighten the rear spokes on my 08 TE510 twice in 6000 miles. Fronts have been fine. Didn't even notice the back loose until in the middle of a tire change. CHECK YOUR SPOKES!
I noticed mine when I was changing the CS sprocket back over to the 13 tooth. Started to loosen the axle nut and that is when I noticed the one spoke sticking out of the hub about an 1/8th inch,none of the other spokes were out any where near that far,so I guess you could say I got lucky.
I had a bit of spoke drama with my '07 TE250. Over the last 500 miles or so (now has about 1200), I was having to tighten several problem spokes every ride. Plus, I would get them somewhat tight, but then the spoke would just twist around in the hub, not really getting any good tension on it because the threads were seized. At my last tire change, I loosened all the spokes, cleaned and greased the spoke/nipple threads, and retightened. I was able to get some good tension, and I don't expect any more problems. However, in retrospect, I think I would retighten each cleaned and greased spoke before moving on to the next. That way I wouldn't have had to true the wheel. Plus, it's not all that true because I suck. Can't feel it at 75 on pavement, so can't be too much of a problem, right? Right??
