I plan to have Harris Cyclery rebuild the rear wheel (rim is bent) to my 1963 AMF Hercules. The hub is a S.A. AW with (EDIT) 40 spokes. Would it be inadvisable to reuse those old spokes? To lower the gearing, I also plan to replace the original 18 tooth sprocket with a 23 tooth. Should a new chain also be used with this new combination?

Most shops much prefer to use new spokes. It offers them a much better chance to guarantee their work and it's faster to build with new stuff. For any bike that's actually been ridden, there'll be a signifiant number of nipples that'll resist turning quite vigorously.
And if you're getting a new rim, it's anybody's guess whether the measurements of that rim will work together with your old spokes anyhow.
If you're paying for the work, pay for the spokes too.

ANd while SS/IGH bikes do wear sprockets rather slowly, you'll probably need a couple of extra links anyhow. Good time to splurge on a new chain, they're not expensive.

42???

"SS/IGH..." EDIT: internal gear hub but what's meant by the term "SS"???

New spokes. No doubt about it.

Oops, thanks! Post has been edited to reflect the correction.

You need to count again, spoke count is almost always divisible by 4, and I suspect your hub has 40h, not 42.

Reuse of the old spokes depends on their condition. However 14g galvanized spokes are pretty inexpensive, so you might want to start fresh for cosmetic reasons of no other.

You'll definitely need a longer chain to wrap the additional 5 teeth, so a new chain is necessary.

And again, I've edited my previous post to show the correction.

A question of timing. Obviously I posted before you edited. But that was only a minor point on the way to answering your questions.

Single speed.

Also, when I last happened to look at the Harris Cyclery wheels page, they specifically said they won't re-use old spokes.

I've transplanted an old, identical, less beat up rim to a hub to replace a more beat up rim using the same spokes.
It's a pain. Even using new nipples the spoke threads don't "corrode" evenly and the "feedback" to the spoke wrench is all over the place.
A shop will typically just cut out the old spokes to save time.
Even if a shop was willing to reuse the old spokes, the additional time/labor charge would likely exceed the cost of new spokes.

Just curious, but why are you using Harris ? Is it close to you or some kinda special deal ?

If it's not close and you're doing this by mail, consider other alternatives for your project.

Weeks ago I posted an inquiry if there's a suitable rebuilder located between Jacksonville and Gainesville, FLA and Savannah, GA as I live halfway in between near the FLA border. And so far I haven't received any replies to my inquiry. 8(((

To all a great many thanks for the replies and I'll get new spokes. Now, if I could just find a competent rebuilder around either Jacksonville, Gainesville or Savannah. ...a little help, please in order to save some shipping co$t$.

Crosspost a similar request over in the southeast forum, and you'll probably get some results.

https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl.../234-Southeast

I love the area, but I've got nobody left there who I know.

Also, when you do find someone, even f an experienced wheel guy,
he may not have done one of these hubs before. Because the shell
and flanges are steel, the flange is narrower than on an alloy hub.

You have to either use small washers on the elbow ends at the flange,
or pay particular attention to relieving stress at the elbow and resetting
the spoke line so it is supported at the flange or you will get premature
failure from flex in that area.

It's not important that you understand, so much as that the wheel guy
who's doing this for you does. Good luck.

As a guy who builds his own wheels, I _always_ reuse spokes when the rims interchange (the spoke bed diameter varies). When properly stress relieved they can last 300,000 miles and it would be silly to replace them.

As a shop dealing with customers, I would _never_ ruse spokes. You don't know how the wheels were originally built and don't want to risk your reputation.

SS ? Not my post, could mean Stainless Steel. rather than single speed ..

Back in the day Zn treated steel spokes were the norm.

40 rear 32 spoke front was a reasonable pairing , considering the weight bias,
sitting on the bike, upright..

Here's what comes up for current DT Swiss Certified wheel builders (UBI course grads who passed certification) in GA. This is a start, and please don't assume a wheel builder must be certified to be competent, so other local builders may be out there.

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[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]320. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Kevin Phillip Adams[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Dallas[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]February 2006[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]321. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Theodore F Alba[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Evans[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]April 1999[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]322. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Christopher Burt[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Atlanta[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]October 1999[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]323. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Trent A. Cherry[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]St. Simons Island[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]November 2003[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]324. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Phil Cohen[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Augusta[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]August 2008[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]325. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Matthew L. Esterline[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Macon[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]April 2010[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]326. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Michael D. Gordon[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Woodstock[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]February 2006[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]327. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]James Benjamin Horst[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Marietta[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]August 2000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]328. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Alex Lee[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Augusta[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]August 2008[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]329. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Benjamin F. Marshall[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Lawrenceville[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]October 2008[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]330. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Michael E Palmeri[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Ellijay[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]February 2000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]331. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Coty Pinckney[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Tucker[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]July 2011[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]332. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]James R Spinks[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Loganville[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]April 1999[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]333. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Kevin Thurman[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Peachtree City[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]October 1999[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]334. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Christopher Tidwell[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Atlanta[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]January 2009[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]335. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Bennett Adam Varnadoe[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Pooler[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]March 2002[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]336. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Joe William Whitaker[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Woodstock[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]May 2010[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="align: right"]337. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Danny Wilson[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Ellijay[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]February 2000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: table_data, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="align: right"]338. [/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Eric Wright[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Athens[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]GA [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]USA[/TD]
[TD]November 1998[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

There are a number of good shops in that area. Most decent shops have experienced wheelbuilders on staff, and this your wheel is a straightforward job that shouldn't strain their resources. Your best bet is to ask around locally, maybe look up a club in the internet.

DT Swiss Certified wheel builders = marketing channel... marketing cert.

A manufacturer stamping 'certified' on anyone is of dubious quality. Some might well be fine.. some may not be.

Their making sure their wind-up's don't get out.. wound up.

While I appreciate all of the replies here, my major concern is getting someone with solid experience overhauling Sturmey Archer hubs.

SA hubs of your vintage rarely need service other than maybe a flush, and re-oil. If it isn't giving you any problems, you can add 3-4 drops of a heavy mineral oil and simply rebuild the wheel. Otherwise, you might let Harris or Yellow Jersey in Madison quote for the hub rebuild and wheel rebuild as a single bundle. The shipping from either won't be a killer compared to the total cost.

OTOH, if you make some phone calls I'm sure you can find someone closer. I know some people in Wash DC, and you might try Mark at Decatur Bike in Atlanta.

It's not as mysterious as you might think. There are several videos on youtube:

I don't know if internal parts are still available for those hubs, if any are badly worn. The chinese stuff may not be 100% interchangable, like I know that I couldn't get a new rear axle for my old rear freewheel drum brake, the new X-RD drum brake parts weren't compatible.

I habitually irritate my fellow teachers when in interactions with the public, I inform folks that a teaching credential is not at all a statement about the qualifications of the teacher, but rather it is simply an authorization to spend taxpayer money, use taxpayer resources and facilities while teaching the listed subject. That is all...

Of course, the propaganda is - including that put out by state officials - that a bearer of a credential is qualified.

I think it was Gene Burns who said that we are an overly credentialed society...

=8-)