cleaning spokes?
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: jacksonville, nc
cleaning spokes?
hello everybody i have an 08 fxdc anniversary and was wondering what is the best way to clean the wheels. they keep rusting..... just wondering what products you suggest and what methods you use to clean the wheels. thanks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,438
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From: Chesterfield, VA
I am very particular.
I found the best way to clean spokes is with the least abrasive metal polish, a shoe string, and a lot of manual labor. Frequency in effort reduces the amount of effort necessary,
I found the best way to clean spokes is with the least abrasive metal polish, a shoe string, and a lot of manual labor. Frequency in effort reduces the amount of effort necessary,
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,707
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From: Newtown, PA
Spokes rusting..? That sounds very unusual and shouldn't be happening. If I've ridden it, I clean my Harley once per week just as I clean my car once per week. It takes me 30 minutes to clean the bike and 10 minutes of that is for the wheels. I use mile soap (any kind will do) and the Harley spoke brush (HD P/N: 43078-00, http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US).
If the wheels are cleaned frequently, then they are a snap to clean. Remember, brake dust is corrosive. I have 14,000 miles on my spokes and the wheels look pretty good. It takes just as long to clean cast wheels and even longer if saddlebags have to be removed to get to the rear wheel.
Don't be afraid to get the bike wet. Use a hose, lots of soap and the Harley spoke brush.
Richard
If the wheels are cleaned frequently, then they are a snap to clean. Remember, brake dust is corrosive. I have 14,000 miles on my spokes and the wheels look pretty good. It takes just as long to clean cast wheels and even longer if saddlebags have to be removed to get to the rear wheel.
Don't be afraid to get the bike wet. Use a hose, lots of soap and the Harley spoke brush.
Richard
shout... yep like the laundry stuff... spray it on, scrub them down and hose off... shine like brand new! been using it for years! tip came from an old timer when i was in college polishing a wheel in front of my fraternity house... saved me TONS of time!!! works great!!!!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Garfield AR.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Wichita, KS
Aluminum foil and water. Yep, as crazy as that may sound. The spokes are cheap chrome and if they aren't cleaned RELIGIOUSLY, they will start to rust, due to mostly the brake dust. The stock pads are AWEFUL for rust!
Anyway, I had the same problem, and some of them on the front were fairly bad. Anyway, I found a blurb on the net about aluminum foil and water. I decided to give a try. VIOLA!!! Piece of cake! Took maybe an hour and they shine like new! Still some MINOR pitting, but not even remotely visible unless you REAL look close. Obviously the easiest way to do this is remove the wheel and brake rotor. Makes life alot easier.
Good luck!
Mike
Anyway, I had the same problem, and some of them on the front were fairly bad. Anyway, I found a blurb on the net about aluminum foil and water. I decided to give a try. VIOLA!!! Piece of cake! Took maybe an hour and they shine like new! Still some MINOR pitting, but not even remotely visible unless you REAL look close. Obviously the easiest way to do this is remove the wheel and brake rotor. Makes life alot easier.
Good luck!
Mike
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shout... yep like the laundry stuff... spray it on, scrub them down and hose off... shine like brand new! been using it for years! tip came from an old timer when i was in college polishing a wheel in front of my fraternity house... saved me TONS of time!!! works great!!!!