Wheels?
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
Wheels?
I had the shop install 2 new tires last week. The mechanic noted at the time that my rims are badly pitted on the inside, and my brake rotors are worn almost to the minimum thickness allowed. He recommended that both be replaced at the next tire change.
Brake rotors are no problem. I have a fresh set waiting on the shelf at home. Wheels are another matter. As you know, it's probably been at least 15 years since H-D used a 3/4" axle, and OEM wheels for my bike are no longer available. This leaves me with two options. One-buy aftermarket wheels from some place like Drag Specialties. Two-buy new rims and spokes and lace new rims to my existing hubs.
I'm a bit leery of aftermarket wheels, as I can't really judge quality or fit from a picture in a catalog. OTOH, if I re-use my hubs, I know everything will fit, but I'm taking a chance that the hubs are still serviceable after 21 years on the road. These are the old steel hubs, by the way.
I'm perfectly capable of building a wheel (I re-built the wheels on my bike back in 2005-should have used new rims back then-I know). But if I didn't have to lace up new wheels, I wouldn't cry too much about it.
Any ideas or suggestions as to where to look for quality OEM style wheels? No, I don't want mags, or 120 spoke wheels or anything like that, just 16 X 3 replacements for my old wheels.
Brake rotors are no problem. I have a fresh set waiting on the shelf at home. Wheels are another matter. As you know, it's probably been at least 15 years since H-D used a 3/4" axle, and OEM wheels for my bike are no longer available. This leaves me with two options. One-buy aftermarket wheels from some place like Drag Specialties. Two-buy new rims and spokes and lace new rims to my existing hubs.
I'm a bit leery of aftermarket wheels, as I can't really judge quality or fit from a picture in a catalog. OTOH, if I re-use my hubs, I know everything will fit, but I'm taking a chance that the hubs are still serviceable after 21 years on the road. These are the old steel hubs, by the way.
I'm perfectly capable of building a wheel (I re-built the wheels on my bike back in 2005-should have used new rims back then-I know). But if I didn't have to lace up new wheels, I wouldn't cry too much about it.
Any ideas or suggestions as to where to look for quality OEM style wheels? No, I don't want mags, or 120 spoke wheels or anything like that, just 16 X 3 replacements for my old wheels.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
I saw this on American Pickers a while back.
They have sheds and sheds of everything.
http://www.nickscustomcycles.com/default.asp
They have sheds and sheds of everything.
http://www.nickscustomcycles.com/default.asp
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
There are plenty of secondhand wheels on Ebay. You can buy cast alloy ones, 'fresh' wire ones, often pretty cheap. I recently bought a near-new 2010 take-off for 80 bucks. That is a later spec as far as bearings are concerned, but gives you an idea of what you can get for little money and a lot of patience!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
For what a rim and spoke kit costs you can just go for a 2nd hand one and you can see if its pitted from the pictures.
Most aftermarket have suspect chrome if you ask me....H-D wheels do last well.
Most aftermarket have suspect chrome if you ask me....H-D wheels do last well.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I know of a couple of RK wire wheels that have split, due to corrosion, although I suspect they are extreme cases. But the availability of secondhand ones on Ebay is well worth looking into.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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Likes: 34
I had the shop install 2 new tires last week. The mechanic noted at the time that my rims are badly pitted on the inside, and my brake rotors are worn almost to the minimum thickness allowed. He recommended that both be replaced at the next tire change. Brake rotors are no problem. I have a fresh set waiting on the shelf at home. Wheels are another matter. As you know, it's probably been at least 15 years since H-D used a 3/4" axle, and OEM wheels for my bike are no longer available. This leaves me with two options. One-buy aftermarket wheels from some place like Drag Specialties. Two-buy new rims and spokes and lace new rims to my existing hubs. I'm a bit leery of aftermarket wheels, as I can't really judge quality or fit from a picture in a catalog. OTOH, if I re-use my hubs, I know everything will fit, but I'm taking a chance that the hubs are still serviceable after 21 years on the road. These are the old steel hubs, by the way. I'm perfectly capable of building a wheel (I re-built the wheels on my bike back in 2005-should have used new rims back then-I know). But if I didn't have to lace up new wheels, I wouldn't cry too much about it. Any ideas or suggestions as to where to look for quality OEM style wheels? No, I don't want mags, or 120 spoke wheels or anything like that, just 16 X 3 replacements for my old wheels.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
Thanks for the thought, but Road King (touring) wheels won't fit a Softail.
I will probably end up building my own wheels. It's not a hard job at all. You just have to make sure not to get the hub wrong way around relative to the valve stem. Then you just follow the instructions in the shop manual.
Besides, how many of you can say you're riding on wheels you built yourself?
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
I had aftermarket mags on my old FLSTC. They were on it when I bought it. They looked great but, were made from a lesser quality aluminum. The matching pulley wore out in a fraction of the time. I put a used HD pulley on there and it was just way better quality aluminum. If I needed wheels I would definitely look for used HD wheels. I have bought several used HD parts over the years from PinWall cycles. I think they mostly sell there stuff through direct contact or through ebay.
http://stores.ebay.com/PinWall-Cycle-Parts-Inc
http://stores.ebay.com/PinWall-Cycle-Parts-Inc
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
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From: Boston, MA
Thanks for the thought, but Road King (touring) wheels won't fit a Softail.
I will probably end up building my own wheels. It's not a hard job at all. You just have to make sure not to get the hub wrong way around relative to the valve stem. Then you just follow the instructions in the shop manual.
Besides, how many of you can say you're riding on wheels you built yourself?
I will probably end up building my own wheels. It's not a hard job at all. You just have to make sure not to get the hub wrong way around relative to the valve stem. Then you just follow the instructions in the shop manual.
Besides, how many of you can say you're riding on wheels you built yourself?
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
I have a set of touring mags on my Heritage.
The rear is a direct bolt in.
The front required some adjustment to the speedo drive unit and the spacer on the other side.