Rjd248

I searched and can't find an answer as to what gauge and type( straight or butted) would a mid 60's bike have been originally equipped with. I was able to find a decent set of nisi rims and want to get it right. Thanks

fietsbob

Measure . 2mm=14 gage if the center is thinner than the ends, then its Butted.

gaucho777 

Are you going to seek out vintage spokes, too, or buy new modern spokes with the same specs as original? Personally, if starting from scratch, I would base the decision on my own riding style, weight, and road conditions. I'm not 100% sure what was used on your Frejus, but Stella was a popular Italian-made spoke used on Italian (and other) bikes of the era. FWIW, wheels for an early 70s Masi were built with 15-gauge Stella stainless spokes on low-flange hubs with 4-cross lacing (per Brian Bayliss). Most people aren't too anal…errr, fastidious…about original spokes because 1) it can be difficult to source original spoke in the correct lengths, 2) original spokes were often galvanized (rather than stainless as preferred today), and they will oxidize over time, and 3) replacement spokes are typically noticed only be the persnickety.

You may want to check out Boulder Bicycle. They occasionally sells NOS spokes.

@fietsbob: Unless I'm mistaken, the OPs question was not what spokes he has on the replacement wheelset he bought, but what would have been original to his '66 Frejus.

fietsbob

Only way to have a clue is if they bought a spoke with a brand imbossed as the head was formed ..

I was in US Navy Basic (boot camp) training in 1966, never worked for Frejus.


some continued to use Galvanized, Zn treated, Steel back then, and later rather than stainless .

A duller grey surface that I would advise against trying to make shiny..

Rjd248

I'll go with modern spokes and just interested in getting the period look correct. Just curious as I could not find an answer as to when the first db spokes were produced?

Bandera

The oldest that I worked with were US made Torrington "Rustless Swaged" that were in old dusty boxes in the early '70's and cherished for building tubular race wheels.
Our Service Mgr,who taught me how to build wheels, kept them at his work station and doled them out for special customers only. For everyone else German Union DB would suffice.....

PS
High quality frame tubes were Double Butted, Torrington spokes were "Swaged".



-Bandera

lostarchitect 

IMO, this is one of those things where period correct does not matter. You have the right rims and hubs. Use modern, double butted steel spokes, and it will both look and ride great.

iab

There are butted spokes in the 1939 Browns catalog. So it is pretty safe to say that was a option in 1966.

But it really depends on the model of bike. Low-end would more likely have straight gauge, high-end, butted.

rootboy 

My '63 SC has Stella spokes on it. Swaged.

Rjd248

Stella's ! Never thought the spokes to the mavic clincher rims could have been correct. I looked up the head mark and it looks like that Stella's. Thanks for the tip. Now by my measurements they are very close may be a bit long for the new (old rims). They are swagged!

eschlwc

i use only sapim db spokes from danscomp.

it's kinda funny to get all their bmx catalogs in the mail though. i always have to look through them and am tempted to order some vans slip-ons and dice valve caps.

gaucho777 

Maybe you know this already, but you should be able to simply tape the Nisi rim (after you polish it) to the mavic clincher wheel. That way you don't have to completely re-lace the new rim. Assuming you are satisfied with the way the Mavic wheels are built vis-a-vis spoke alignment at valve opening and hub logo orientation. Don't forget decal orientation when relacing the Nisi rims--decals legible from drive-side! Slowly de-tension the wheel and the transfer the spokes over to the Nisi rim. Once you tape up the Nisi rims to the Mavic clincher, you'll have a good idea if the spokes will work with the Nisi rims. Good luck!

And +1to photos of your Frejus!

rootboy 

I forgot, he had posted pics here,
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...s-project.html