I need two 28 x 1 1/2 inch complete wheels for the 1941 bike I'm building for my wife.
Or, is there anyone on this forum that can send me in the direction of someone who can rebuild the original wheels for this bike?
Does anyone on here offer that service?
What colour are the rims and what condition are they in? Rebuilding the wheels with the existing rims is relatively easy. You should pay attention to the type of replacement spokes used. The originals were 15 guage and were not chrome plated.
I can help you rebuild the wheels. I've done lots of them. Where abouts are you located?
I am in the process of doing the same thing and am wondering if I should/could reuse the same spoles or if I should source new ones. I'm wondering if retensioning 70 year old in different holes may cause them to break, especially the head at the hub. Thanks!
Unless the original spokes are in very good shape, I would replace them. I have reused 70 year old spokes when I could not find double-butted 15/17 gauge spokes in the proper length. They are still holding after 20 years. It is not that difficult to find suitable replacement spokes for CCM wheels. If you have any old cycle shops in your area they may even have some NOS old spokes in the proper length.
Unfortunately, most shops have raised the prices of their spokes these days. Thirty years ago, I could buy NOS spokes from a local shop for .15 cents each. Now, I typically have to pay 1.00 to 1.25 apiece for more modern spokes.
I'm located in Yellowknife NWT
I am not sure whether you want to do something with the rims or just true the wheel. If you just want to true the wheel, you could just leave the existing spokes in place, spray with WD40, and hope that the nipples will turn so that the wheel can be trued. There must be a bike shop in Yellowknife that has some sort of spokes and would offer wheel building or truing.
Spokes can be purchased on Ebay. CCM gives the spoke lengths for 28" wheels as 11 1/2" rear (coaster brake) and 11 5/8" front. You can convert these measurements to millimetres if necessary. New 14 guage stainless steel spokes look O.K. and are not too shiny.
Most of the old wheels that I have trued, or tried to take apart and save the spokes suffer at least a few broken spokes in the process.
Good Luck!
John Williamson