I'm rebuilding the rear wheel of my '59 Raleigh Tourist. If you don't know, it's a 40-hole, westwood style rim. The hub is the standard Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed hub. I'm following the procedure by Sheldon Brown at the Harris Cyclery website. I am using new spokes and I know they are the correct length. I've done this twice now and both times, I can't tighten down the spokes and the nipples are screwed down all the way. I'm certain I'm following the procedure correctly. Is there some unique lacing pattern that I should be following for this type of rim?

TSapp

are you building 3 cross when the spokes are sized for 4 cross perhaps?

A picture could help possibly.

A couple other ideas:

How do you know that you have the correct length spokes? Did you round up on the lengths?

You may need to use spoke washers with Sturmey hubs.

[QUOTE=mparker326;12895806

How do you know that you have the correct length spokes[/QUOTE]

This!

I use this method with great success...see Scoopers post.

Obviously, they are too long. Change your cross pattern or get shorter spokes.

I built my wheels using Musson's book and it was a piece of cake.

Mutt

I bought the new spokes from YellowJersey and the guy assured me that this was the correct spoke length, 302 mm I believe. They match perfectly in length with the old galvanized steel spokes I removed. The sales person said he used these to rebuild the wheels on his Tourist. I did use a 3-cross pattern. I'll try a 4-cross pattern after I check out the Musson book.

TSapp

If you were matching the length of the old spokes, you need to lace x4 as that's what they were originally on Raleigh rear wheels.

Neal

Yep - concur with the 4x pattern. Confirmed on my Sports. OTOH if your spokes are then too short you will have to visit the spoke vendor once more.

-Gary