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Daytona 200 Monument
was true before, or if you used a new rim, and assuming you were careful to evenly tighten the spokes, it will probably be very close to true now. If not, you must start removing the wobble (axial runout) and hop (radial runout). Wheel truing stands have adjustable arms/pointers that are used to gauge runout. If you are truing a wheel mounted on the axle, you can make your own by clamping anything close to the edge of the rim. You can also use a permanent marker held close to the rim to mark the wobble areas. This provides a visual reference so you can determine the range (in degrees) of the area that requires adjustment. Some wheel builders use a dial indicator to measure runout, but this is not necessary. Minor wobble can be corrected by tightening the spokes on only one side, but excessive wobble may require loosening the spokes on one side before tightening the opposite side. The same is true for hop. Motorcycle rims are seldom perfectly round (hop) or straight (wobble), so you must deal with these irregularities while truing the wheel. You will have to use your arm like a torque wrench and "feel" for even tension once they start to get tight—and some spokes will tighten before others. Your goal is to get to the point where all the spokes are at about the same tension. Spoke manufacturers will have a recommended torque specification and you can purchase an adapter for a small beam-type torque wrench. Now, go around the rim a few times to get all the spokes to what feels like proper tension. For the typical dirt bike, the wheel will be plenty true enough. For a street or roadracing bike, you may have to enlist the aid of an expert to get it perfectly true. The ideal maximum axial and radial runout for street or roadrace wheels is 0.5mm. It’s not unusual for spokes to ‘bed in’ or ‘take a set’ on freshly laced aluminum wheels, which means they might loosen after the first few rides. This will require checking the spokes regularly until the tension stabilizes. Invest in a quality spoke wrench. Some have reverse taper jaws which help prevent spoke nipple deformation.
Once you do one wheel, you will really understand the process much better. Hopefully, you will find lacing wheels to be one of the most fun and rewarding parts of any restoration.
AHRMA Supports Daytona Racing Legends
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is adding its support to a legendary racing venue. On March 10, 2021, AHRMA unveiled its own plaque for the Daytona 200 Monument during a special gathering in Daytona Beach, Florida.
On January 24, 1937, the first Daytona 200 was held on a 4.2-mile course that included both paved and off-road sections of Daytona Beach. The majority of the motorcycles and riders attending the event during the early years were those participating in the competition. Eventually, spectators began arriving on their own motorcycles and as the popularity and attendance grew, the race took on a festival atmosphere. The event would eventually evolve into the internationally known Daytona Bike Week. The Daytona 200 Motorcycle Race, under normal circumstances, draws more than one half million spectators.
A number of years ago, Dick Klamfoth, three-time winner of the Daytona 200 Motorcycle race, attended a Bike Week and met with Bike Week fans on Main Street in Daytona. He was surprised to learn how few of them knew the history of the 200, shared his memories of racing on the beach and explained the origins of Bike Week to those who were unaware of its racing heritage. That experience inspired him to create the Daytona 200 Monument to preserve its history.
Thanks to generous donations from the members of the Daytona Beach and racing communities, a location for the monument was secured, construction completed, and the monument was dedicated in 2002. The annual Daytona 200 Monument Gathering draws motorcycle and racing enthusiasts from around the world to witness the installation of new plaques.
The monument is located at 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL, on the beachside of the Daytona Beach Hilton-Ocean Walk Village. The event will be held on March 10, starting around 10:30AM.
Photo by: Amy Jacques
