Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

spoke wheels

Old Jul 19, 2014 | 12:21 PM
  #1  
blueridge's Avatar
blueridge
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
Default spoke wheels

I have spoke wheels on my '12 Street Bob.

Looking at my manual it shows to group the spokes by 4 and then adjust the first of four spokes in one group and then jump to the next group of 4 spokes and adjust the first spoke. Continue around the group of spokes and then when you come full circle you do the same thing for the second spoke in each group etc. How many of you do this? This appears to be labor extensive to me.

Is it possible to just adjust each spoke around the wheel without grouping the spokes? That is do each spoke as you come to the spoke? I think someone mention using the tap method and adjust based on the feel of the spoke? And which way do you adjust the spokes, counterclockwise or clockwise?

Thanks for your help.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2014 | 02:34 PM
  #2  
hd4evr2008's Avatar
hd4evr2008
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,982
Likes: 2,141
From: Ohio
Default

I'd let the dealership mechanic do it. In fact, I do. Haven't had any problems with spokes yet. Most of the time they're fine. Be careful adjusting them yourself, it's easy to get a wheel screwed up.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2014 | 03:08 PM
  #3  
Limey's Avatar
Limey
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Default

Been riding fir 20+ years and never adjusted a spoke or needed to.
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 12:10 AM
  #4  
Dyna_Syx's Avatar
Dyna_Syx
Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: CT
Default

The reason for the groups of four is to ensure even tension.
If you're afraid you'll lose track, splurge and get an assorted color pack of zipties. Mark them: 1 red, 2 blue, 3 green, 4 black.
Or just masking tape and a sharpie.

Are you building a wheel from scratch or are you just checking your current wheels?

Most people build the wheel and take it to an indie with a truing stand for final tightening. The stand makes it easy to check run out.
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 07:54 AM
  #5  
WMX124's Avatar
WMX124
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
Default

Originally Posted by Dyna_Syx
Most people build the wheel and take it to an indie with a truing stand for final tightening. The stand makes it easy to check run out.
I built my wheels and had my indie do the rest. They were able to true them up in probably 10% of the time it would have taken me. The shop I took them to does a lot of one off choppers and custom wheel builds so I felt comfortable in their ability. A lot of folks also recommended shops that true dirt bike wheels as they have a ton of experience with spokes.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SoftailBrian
Tri Glide, RG3 & Freewheeler Models
6
Mar 25, 2018 05:06 AM
FFeric
Softail Models
5
Jul 19, 2015 07:57 AM
sixty7flh
General Harley Davidson Chat
8
Jul 7, 2013 09:05 PM
tenn.vol.
Touring Models
1
Jul 15, 2012 09:19 AM
wiseguy2day
General Harley Davidson Chat
16
Mar 2, 2011 06:23 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:20 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE