Truing wheels without a stand

[LAB3]

I've found a few spokes loose over the course of the last two years and used a spoke wrench to tighten them. With over 31k miles and being ready for another set of tires this winter I'm thinking it'd be a good idea to check the rims for trueness and adjust if necessary. The videos I've watched all use a truing stand to do this but I was thinking of doing it right on the bike. Why not? If I pull the tires off and remount the rim back on the bike, isn't this basically the same concept? Coming up with a "pointer" to establish a fixed point shouldn't be that big a deal.
Please advise.

 

[hampshirehog]

My truing 'stand' is made from an old Honda swinging arm. Using the original swinging arm in your case will make the job easier.

 

[salty_monk]

I've done plenty of bicycle wheels the way you describe...

 

[LAB3]

Thanks for confirming. You never know what you might be overlooking not having done it before.

 

[Rob S.]

I have replaced bent rims on an old CB350; laced up spokes and tried to true wheels. One reason I'm so fond of mags! But I'm sure you can do it.

I recall folks striking spokes with wrenches like tuning forks - literally tuning the wheels! Best of luck, and keep us informed.

I'm sure you have spoke wrenches and the rubber strip to protect the (tube?) from the spoke ends.

 

[LAB3]

I have replaced bent rims on an old CB350; laced up spokes and tried to true wheels. One reason I'm so fond of mags! But I'm sure you can do it.

I recall folks striking spokes with wrenches like tuning forks - literally tuning the wheels! Best of luck, and keep us informed.

I'm sure you have spoke wrenches and the rubber strip to protect the (tube?) from the spoke ends.

Yes I have a spoke wrench. In my case I plucked the spokes like a harp and tuned them accordingly. Have considered going to cast wheels but with the rear having a drum brake I haven't found one that works although I haven't searched that option fully.

 

[Steve]

Have considered going to cast wheels but with the rear having a drum brake I haven't found one that works although I haven't searched that option fully.

Not sure what size your rear wheel is, but look into the "T" models. No, not the 1980 models (which had the "T" suffix). Check the 550T and 750T, probably from 1981-1983 or so.

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[LAB3]

Not sure what size your rear wheel is, but look into the "T" models. No, not the 1980 models (which had the "T" suffix). Check the 550T and 750T, probably from 1981-1983 or so.

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Probably should have elaborated a bit. Not only would it be a swap to cast but also moving to 18" from 17" to get a better choice of tires. When I cross reference the part number of the brake shoe backing plate I find that it fits a couple of different 18's and those are wire wheels. All my "shopping" so far has been on eBay, plenty of cast rims with disc brakes and very few with drums. I'd need to find a rim with not only a drum but a backing plate too. Once you start taking all things into consideration, like spacers, it would make the most sense to find an entire axle, spacer, backing plate and rim. That starts getting pretty pricey and even harder to find just to have a few more tire choices.