I built a lot of wheels using the spokes from the period mentioned. One could use the spokes over it they look good, no chain into the spokes on the rear wheel for instance. It depends on what you are aiming for on your restoration. If you need every detail to be correct then either get NOS spokes of the correct vintage or use the old ones over. But if you really want to to ride the bike then I can't see why one would not use current DT or Wheelsmith spokes of similar specs. They are much more reliable than the older brands. Unless you build the wheels yourself the labor cost is not incidental, you don't want to do it over when your used spokes fail. Top model Berg Union spokes were chrome plated, so would look different than current spokes. A lot of the old spokes were zinc plated, so again will not look the same. But I personally don't like the way the zinc spokes look when the get old. New SS spokes make the bike look nice.
Phil Wood sells spokes cut to any length up to 310mm.
Jim Merz Big Sur CA
On Mon, Jun 21, 2010 at 9:32 AM, Michael Shiffer <dennisflange@gmail.com>wrote:
> Mr. Helman posted a question regarding vintage spokes. I have wondered
> about
> the reuse of old spokes as well. As I have no answers for him, I am very
> interested in what the better informed people in the CR community have to
> say. I was dismayed to read Mr. Shackleford's response. Using a search
> engine to find modern spokes is, of course a good idea, but the rest of Mr.
> Helman's query had to do with old spokes and was an appropriate and
> valuable
> topic to raise on the CR list. As Mr. Shackleford makes clear in his post
> script, he takes some pleasure in letting folks know how stupid he feels
> their posts are. It is impossible for me to see how this fits in with the
> purpose of the Classic Rendezvous list. We all miss the obvious and say, do
> and write silly things from time to time. Being slapped down for it seems a
> poor response: far more likely to chill rather than enhance this ongoing
> dialog which informs, entertains and benefits us all.
>
> --
>
> Michael Shiffer
> EuroMeccanica, Inc.
> 114 Pearl Street
> Mount Vernon, NY 10550
> (914) 668-1300
> euromeccanicany.com