Classic Bike Wheels

A

B

Straight Edge

Hub

Hub

Rim

Fig 1

Fig 1 has two positive offset's

Rim

Hub

Fig 2 has one positive and one negative offset

Fig 2

A

B

Wheel Rim

Hub Edge

Fig 3

Straight Edge

Bearing Housing

Guide To Measuring A Motorcycle Wheel Offset

I am often asked by customers "How do I measure my motorcycle wheel offset before stripping it"? 

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So hopefully this section can guide anyone with the same question.

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Step 1; Remove the tyre and inner tube, Step 2; Remove the brake shoe plate or disc rotor. Step 3; Find a good straight edge like a steel rule or good quality spirit level etc. Step 4; Lay the straight edge across the outer edge of the brake drum or disc brake face of the hub make sure to avoid the bearing housing as this can be a different height (Fig 3). Step 5; Now measure the gap between the underside of the straight edge and the outer edge of the wheel rim, do this in at least 3 different area's around the rim to get a true average and this is your offset.

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In Fig 1 you can see a wheel with two positive offsets so A & B measurements will both be as described above BUT in some circumstances you might have a negative offset as in Fig 2 so this should be noted as minus number i.e. -10mm for instance, this measurement can be obtained by laying your straight edge across both wheel rim outer edges and measuring between the underside of the straight edge and a point on the hub.

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Note;

If you are bringing me a complete wheel to strip and rebuild I will take all the offset measurements so you don't need to bother.

Moped Wheel Rim Sizes

1.20"

1.35"

1.40"

31mm

45mm

34mm

49mm

36mm

51mm

Motorcycle Chrome & Stainless Steel Rim Sizes

Motorcycle Non-Valanced Alloy Wheel Rim Sizes

Motorcycle Valanced Alloy Wheel Rim Sizes

Motorcycle Spoke & Nipple Sizes

Spoke gauges are as follows:

Gauge Diameter

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12 = 2.60mm (0.104")
10 = 3.20mm (0.124")
9 = 3.60mm (0.142")
8 = 4.00mm (0.156")
7 = 4.30mm (0.171")
6 = 4.87mm (0.192")
5 = 5.15mm (0.203")
4 = 5.70mm (0.224")

Nipple sizes are as follows:

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Barrel Diameter

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5.08mm (0.200")
5.75mm (0.225")
6.40mm (0.250")
7.00mm (0.275")
7.60mm (0.300")
8.70mm (0.350")