First time lacing wheels. New excel anodized black set 19"/21" for my '01 cr250 that I've had about 4 months. I got the spokes that came in the wheel kit from motosport.com. Rear wheel did fine but I had trouble with the front wheel so I tried it twice. I'd lace it up and the spokes seem to be just too long. I run out of threads all the way around and the hub still moves around. Measured the wheel and it is really a 21". The side of the box that the front spokes were in say for 21" wheel on cr250 96-06. Could the guy that had the bike before have changed the hub? I can't compare new spokes to the ones on my original wheel because I had to cut them off. Is it possible to have it laced wrong and cause this? Anyone have any ideas?

It's poss that you are laceing it wrong,most cr's have a three cross pattern.See if you are just getting two cross.If you can compare to another ft wheel. allso some wheels are 32 or 36 spoke that would make diff lenghts,you have no extra spoke's??

I think you've laced it wrong but, still, make sure to factor in that there are inside and outside spokes. The inside spokes are a bit longer and are for the hub holes closer to the middle of the hub. The outside spokes are shorter (the rear outside Buchanan's on my '04 CR250R were around 1/4" shorter) and the holes are near the outside of the hub.

Also, as mentioned, make sure that the spokes going from right to left cross over those going left to right twice on the front wheel.

Here's some drawings I did before taking my wheels apart.

HrcRacing said:

If the spokes are different lengths then I do have it wrong. The spokes for each wheel came wrapped in plastic in their own little box. There was only one package for each wheel. You think excel would seperate them for me if they were different lengths. I put them all together before lacing them up and they looked the same lenght to me. I'll take them off and check them again. It's 36 hole and I have 36 spokes. Do you guys have any pics of a wheel I might could go by?

todthebod said:

My Buchanan's were all together but the outside and inside spokes where facing in opposite directions.

I'll get you a pic up in a few minutes.

Thanks for the pics!

I just took the spokes off and all of them are the same exact length. I'll try lacing them again in the morning using your pics and see what happens.

Here's some pics.





When I started, I first made a reference on the hub (arrow) and took one inner and one outer spoke to form the "X" shown. I then installed all of the inside spokes leaving 3 spoke holes between each one.

After that, I flipped it over and added the inside spokes. Next, I installed the outside spokes. I had to temporarily remove a inner spoke or two to get the outside ones on. No big deal though.

It becomes obvious pretty quicly where they go, you just need to start off correctly and take your time.

todthebod said:

Huh, maybe it's just the rear that have different lengths. :excuseme: I was able to re-use my front OEM ones so I didn't measure them, just kept the inners/outers separate.

Anyway, best of luck. :thumbsup:

thanks again man. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

HrcRacing said:

Hey I got it! I couldn't have done it without your drawings. Thanks! Gas applied!

todthebod said:

That's great news. Glad to help! :thumbsup: