[Healeys] Spokes & Tubes

[Charlie Frazer]

Rich Kahn’s post and the following discussion about the HF tire changer began with his need to install inner tubes because of air loss and to replace broken spokes.
I’m curious to know how common those problems are among wire wheel owners.

I ask because after returning from a 1200 mile trip to Rendezvous earlier this summer I discovered a rear wheel with 15 consecutive broken spokes, a pretty frightening percentage on a 60-spoke wheel.  I bought the wheels new and they have about 12,000 miles on them.  Never raced or abused.  Needless to say, they are past the 3 year warranty period.

How common is the problem of broken spokes?
Thanks,
Charlie Frazer