Torrington 080 nipples

[41compax]

Hi, After removing the aftermarket paint and/or oil from my rear wheel nipples, they were still highly stained. Years ago I bought an ammo tumbler to clean all the brass parts and fasteners from old traffic signals that I collect. Anyway, I tumbled the nipples and put them in an ultrasonic to clean the threads and most look a lot more acceptable now. Before going to that trouble I should have asked this question first but is there any reason why I shouldn’t reuse my old nipples in the event I can’t find enough NOS replacement nipples in the relatively near future? Thanks.

 

[ricobike]

I don't see any reason not to reuse them. I reuse spokes and nipples all the time.

 

[WES PINCHOT]

HI RICO,
I HAVE ORIGINAL NOS 3/4 INCH NIPPLES WITH 4 SIDE FLAT TOP.
PLEASE EMAIL DIRECT IF INTERESTED.
[email protected]

 

[41compax]

I don't see any reason not to reuse them. I reuse spokes and nipples all the time.

Thanks ricobike. In today's mail, I got some 11 3/8 Torrington 080 spokes - not 080-060 spokes – that I purchased on ebay. Even though there aren’t enough to do both rims, they were the first correct length ones for this bike I had seen. They came with 4 sided ¾” total length nipples, as opposed to the 13/16” total length 2 sided nipples that are on this bike. I would like to eventually get enough of the correct length NOS spokes and correct NOS nipples but being able to reuse the nipples was an important issue that you resolved!