I know. It does seem like such an intimidating venture, lacing and truing wheels. I felt that way for a long time. Stopped me from completing builds. Was too intimidated in installing the spokes on the hubs, and rims, was afraid of damaging the goods.
But one day, got the nerve to jump in, and give it a try. Read the "how to" here in the Restoration forums, and other places a few times, so I understood making sure you got your leading spokes correct. Counting the holes on the hubs is key. Once you have those two spokes in the right holes, and they are installed to the rim, man, its just as easy as making a "Cup of Noodles" 2 holes to the right in the hub with the next spoke, 4 holes over on the rim, spin the nipple two turns, and go to town. Really only took my 17 mins to do my very first wheel. 13 mins to do my second wheel. All laced, ready to tru. These were the first ones I ever did : Gyrolite hubs to Ambrosio rims, double butted chrome spokes.
Then, a few months later, I tried it again. This time with a 24" wheel set. 7X chrome Araya's, Zinc spokes, to bullseye hubs.
But both times, I dropped them off at the local lbs to have them trued. Didn't cost much, and the guy does a great job, but on my second set (bullseye/7X), the guy at the counter who helped me, took them in the back, and decided to drop them onto the concrete floor in the back. Uncool in my book, but no damage. So, a few weeks later, somebody was selling a truing stand here on the boards, and I picked it up. Sorta like "buy it, so you can do it yourself" type thing. F the lbs.
So, Ive had it for about a month now, just sitting in the garage. I'm in the process of build the Shelby James, and had to build the wheel set for it. So, grabbed the goods, sat in my chair, and put them together. Finished them up in no time, and put them on the frame, to be safe, then I'll drop them off at the lbs on monday, until I remembered I had the truing stand. Drank a Mountain Dew, stirred up the courage, and went to town. Though I did not time my self for this portion, I think it took around an hour to do both. Remembering the instructions I'd read before, went thru all the motions, and in to time, I had a nice, tight, straight spinning wheel set.
It is very simple to do. I know its very intimidating, the thought of doing it yourself. But if you can put a bike together, you can build a wheel set from beginning to end, and the satisfaction is awesome. As to make it REALLY easy. Look at any other wheel set you have, and just look at it. Find your 2 leading spokes(the holes opposite of the valve stem hole). Count the holes in the hub,and just copy it to your rim your building. Simple.
