Rode on wet streets this past week and of course I picked up dirt on the bike. I don't mind cleaning -- actually like spending that time with the scooter but the chrome hubs are dirty and I'll be damned if I can figure how to get in there and clean them. Same with the spokes. I guess I could pressure wash and then dry with the leaf blower. Is that how you do it? bike looked mint when I bought it a month ago...

 

A spoke brush like this. But I would not pay $16 for one just because it has a HD logo.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...brush-43078-99
Harbor Freight also sells a static wheel spinner, lets you turn wheels without moving the bike.

 

This might help...

 

for cleaning the hubs, take a old leather shoestring, tie it around hub loosely but not so loose it will get caught in anything and ride around for a few hrs. It will polish it really really good!

 

I use 50/50 mixture of simple green and water and soft nylon brush to get the spokes and hubs clean. Garden hose rinse, leaf blower and finish with 100% cotton towel.

 

I spend a lot of time cleaning my bike and my friends all year long...I like everything I own clean. As a matter of fact I actually clean and wax my lawnmower once a year as pathetic as that sounds.

I can attest to your issue with cleaning the spokes as when I bought my Dyna I noticed the same neglect from the previous owner in regards to the wheels. One of the main reasons I love the SB is the spoke wheels. Dont get me wrong the bike had less then 4K on it when I bought it in 12' but just needed a special touch to make it perfect.

After the elbow grease and time of getting to all the places normal hands dont reach with steel wool/neverdull/surf city metal compound, I have found that a 50/50 mix of simple green and water every wash on the wheels and motor followed by a leaf blower dry and wipe down after a quick ride around the block have kept the spokes and hubs mint. Try this method.....

Wash the bike top to bottom with your mit on the painted and metal surfaces only first. Then use a seperate brush for the wheels and motor to dis lodge any large pieces of crap. Then rinse the bike good with clean water and apply the 50/50 mix of Simple Green. Let it sit no longer then 5-8mins and dont let it dry. Agitate the mix on the spokes and motor with a nice soft bristle brush and once done rinse with high pressure water to remove all the product. Blow dry and after a few times you will see the benefits of staying ahead of the brake dust and oxidation on your rims.

JTR

 

Wow, thanks guys. I really appreciate your advice and especially the photos. Yeah, I keep my stuff clean. And I also spiff up the lawn mower every spring. ;- )

 

The best thing to get the spokes cleaned up is to take 1000 grit sandpaper. And wet sand them. And then do the shoe string and mag wheel polish. Its time consuming but what else are you going to do when there is a foot of snow on the ground and you cant ride.

 

Flitz mini ball and autosol hands down. My 07 wheel is still like brand new. Flitz mini gets into tight spot, great tool!

 

I just trade my bike in for a new one when the spokes get dirty.