I reckon your right, he took a picture of the hub/wheel before but i think that was to just get the pattern right or hub the correct way round.

Thanks for you insight though I'm heading down there this morning to, so hopeful if its not done i can at least tell him what you told be and get it sorted eventually!

Thanks though you might have saved the day and thought he i lesson in spoking big bikes

I'll let you know what the outcome is