A VERY Important Update: The spare axle idea didn't work out because it's hollow for quite a length. They changed the spacers instead and resent my wheel. It bolted up this time, ABS sensor spacing was correct, and rotor turns freely. Initially, I had some reservations, but stuck with Zach via e-mail in this land of custom. I was concerned about wheel appeared biased to the axle nut side by a substantial amount and didn't understand how to adjust it. I tried pinching the forks closer together, but that messes with stiction. I thought maybe pinching the axle towards the shaft head side, but that would push the ABS ring and rotor off. By appearance with the front fender I figured it was 3/8" off, but after Woody's e-mailed me some more I did some more precise measurements and found that it was either 0.07 or 0.05 depending on whether I measured from knobby edge to fork body or from hub to centerline of the fork. Their suggestion was to adjust the rim relative to the hub. At 3/8" I wasn't keen on it, but at 0.05-0.07 I figured I'd give a try.
I loosened one set of spokes (the nut side) 1/3 turn (essentially the distance you could get an end wrench to turn in one movement) and then tightened 1/3 turn on the axle shaft head side. Remeasured from the knobby to the fork tubes and it was very close. Close enough that I couldn't accurately measure a difference. The fender is a still a tiny bit off, but I *think* it's the fender.
Wheel alignment to center line. Resolved
The other issues I experienced were:
Ride height totally off. (I knew this since the 21" front wheel vs. 17" rear is WAY different that my Strada configuration of 19" vs. 17" rear)
To adjust height I used my stock Terra as baseline with the fork tubes (black part on not the cap) at the top of the triple clamps. I spent some time measuring the actual diameter of my wheels and determined that the stock Strada Tourance EXP rear 140/80-17 (with about 50% tread) is 25.5". The TKC 80 140/80-17 (with about 50% tread) I mounted to my Dakar rim is 25.25". The stock Strada Tourance EXP front (with 75% tread) is 25.75" and the Dunlop D606 90/90-21 (with 100%) tread and Woody's rim is 27.75". That last bit changed things A LOT! By my calculations (dividing diameter by 2 to get radius) I find the front is higher by 1 1/8" relative to the rear. While I know there's some rake to the to forks I chose to drop them this distance.
After riding I think this issue is resolved....or
fairly close.
Twitchy at highway speeds
This one I wondered about tire pressure and found my rear was WAY low at 15 psi. Ooops. Pumped to 36 and bumped front from 26 to 28 (according to stock Terra pressures) and this was much improved. It's still a bit wandery at 80 mph, but I'm not surprised knobbies vs. street tires.
Much better.
ABS errors out after a few miles (I worried about this since my Strada is ABS, but may not be the same as European Terras)
When I first rode the rim I got an error after 2-3 miles where the ABS light would stay on, speedometer and odometer would stop working, and generally be uncool. After the tire pressure and all other changes I went back out on the freeway and did a 5 mile loop...no error.
Hopefully resolved.
Front feels vague and behind where I'm turning at low and medium speeds
After all the changes this feels signficantly better. Going around turns at 10 or 20 feels much better. At very low parking lots speeds the the front still feels like it's behind where I'm turning, but I wonder if this is by design as the axle is an inch or so ahead of the forks and the 21" rim is going to magnify that by a bit compared to 19". Maybe this is still related to ride height.
Still working.
I'm cautiously optimistic and love the look of the new wheel. And the spokes are seriously beefy! Good job Woody's!
