Need Longer Spokes

There is something wrong with this picture ...

Notice the nipples in the rim ... which means there are some spokes attaching the rim to the hub ... but the hub extends well below the rim (it's the black pedestal in the middle) ...

I need longer spokes. Guess I'll have to visit the local bike shop ...

It looks pretty good from a top view -->
However, ...

2 x 20" Hubs

After great lack of motivation ... I finally drilled and countersunk all the holes in the AN970 washers to make the hubs. I then developed a streak of rash bravery ... and welded up the hubs. It was pure dumb luck that the first one came out with the holes alternating each other (end-to-end). The 2nd one, both end washer holes were lined up ... darn! It's wonderful to remember these things after they are welded.

So I put the cutting disk on the hand grinder and cut one of the end washers back off ... adjusted it so the holes were alternating opposite of each other ... and welded it back on. I'll probably get it right the first time ... on the next set of hubs that I make ... for the 26" wheels.

How to mark holes?

I dismantled the rear hub ... which has a large ring on each side (it's just pressed on) ...

So when I tapped the ring off ... I discovered (to my delight!) that it was almost the identical size of the AN970 Washers that I bought from Aircraft Spruce.

I just laid the ring on the washer ... used one of those fine point Sharpie markers thru each of the spoke holes ... giving me a washer like the one on the bottom. Then I used a needle punch to mark them for drilling.

Hey! This is progress!

Making 20" Hubs?

OK. My grandchildren have been bugging me to make one that they can ride ... so I decided to use 20" wheels. I didn't happen to come up with a used 20" bike that had more than 28 spokes (not 36) ... but since it would only be used by individuals weighing 50 to 100 lbs --- a lot lighter than a 220 - 300 lb. man. So, I figured that 28 spokes should work. On the left you see me using a spoke wrench to remove the spokes, nipples, and hubs out of the wheels.

It's always easier to "dismantle" things than it is to put them together and make them work ...