What is the fastest way to clean/polish spooked wheels? I have a 2008 Street Bob and there is not that much access to the rear wheel between the rim & the disk on one side & the sprocket on the other.

 

Variable power drill with a Mothers power ball or cone.

 

Sneak up behind it and yell, BOOO!(?)

 

Okay, That made me laugh out loud!

 

I've read here folks using thick shoe strings. Haven't really tried it though.

 

This is what I do, which involves a compromise: With a sponge applicator, apply chrome polish liberally and rub it in well. The compromise is I don't worry about getting all the way to the hub as it is so hidden by everything else that it doesn't matter to me. I have to lay down on the ground to do this and I can get about 75% of the wheel before rolling it back to get the other 25%. After the chrome polish dries, I take a long, but thin rag and give each gap between two spokes the "shoe shine" treatment. Thread the rag between two spokes and from the rear pull the rag back and forth and move it up and down the spokes. I have to roll the bike back about three times to get the full circumference. It takes me about an hour to do the wheel, but it looks good when I get done.

 

 

Some of these (one for application, the other to wipe off)...



And a little bit of this...



Oh... and a little bit of this...

 

And a big box of beer and go after it. Nothing quick about polishing spokes.

rk classic.

 

Post # 2 may have a good idea.
I haven't tried that and it sure could be a time saver.

If the rims (and hubs) are painted or bare porous metal, I'd protect them with tape before Balling.

Else, yes, shoe laces, metal polish and a dozen beers.

One thing not mention was aged brake dust on the spokes.
What I am describing is almost a tar barnacle.
Some type of pre-chemical, before the polishing, I would think is necessary.
Will the Power Ball remove those with out a pre-treat?