Ruby wheel check

[Tiger]

Good afternoon 
Wondering what is the best way to assess my 17” wheels ?
The spokes look to be in excellent condition so I have not paid attention to them 
However just noticed slight lateral movement when fitting the wheel
To help clarify: If you were testing the hub bearing by rocking the wheel that is when play is apparent 
No buckling is apparent 
Regards
            Tim

["Slack Alice" Simon]

If you are saying the rim moves because the spokes are loose, then the wheel should not be used on the road.

It needs rebuilding.

[Hedd_Jones]

I just do a visual on mine. Late wheels seem to be very robust. I've never seen a wheel where the rim moves under hand loading vs the hub (clearly Ive seen movement in the hub on the axle).

That said I'm forever breaking spokes on vintage wheels, once I break a spoke, wheel is U/S until spoke replaced.

A fair bit of buckle can be comped with also if truth be known.

[Pearls not a Singer]

I no longer have a Ruby, so the wheel I had shot blasted and powder coated black is available


Located Bromyard North Herefordshire


£75

If this helps

[Chris KC]

Your wheel spokes should all be sound (free of damage or deep corrosion) and under tension. The traditional way to check spoke tension was to jack the wheel off the ground and spin it, then trail a stick or similar implement against the spokes and they should all 'ring' with a similar note. The odd duff note indicates a loose spoke which needs tightening. If all ring clear with similar sound it suggests they are evenly tightened. There should be no discernable slack or play, if you think there is I suggest showing them to a specialist (or at least an enthusiast with more experience). When the wheel is spun check by eye (crouch behind or in front) that it runs reasonably true - few are perfect but it shouldn't be far out. The rim itself should be sound, it's hard to quantify but there shouldn't be any areas holed or weakened by corrosion, nor any noticeable dents or kinks. If using standard A7 wheelnuts also check the conical seats are clean and sound. A wheel collapsing under load could cause a serious accident.

[Tiger]

Many thanks for all the replies.
I will be stripping all 5 wheels for assessment and repair.

[Malcolm Parker]

I also have a shot blasted and powder coated 17" wheel surplus to requirements.