Welded wheels, any experiences

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 28, 2024 | 10:12 PM

that$pit

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 24

Likes: 1

From: texas

Welded wheels, any experiences

I need to replace the back wheel on a 2012 wide glide.

I'm considering OEM from the dealership or a full front/rear swap to these ones made by Led Sled.Led sled challenger invader

It would just be nice to not worry about, or have to clean around spokes anymore... and i really like the simplicity of these. Plus their price is reasonable.

But i started second guessing the welded construction. Anyone have experience, good or bad with welded construction wheels? Or these wheels in particular? The pot holes here are terrible and the idea of a catastrophic failure scares me.

Last edited by that$pit; Feb 28, 2024 at 10:15 PM.

Feb 29, 2024 | 09:05 AM

NoRegerts

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 16,982

Likes: 9,059

From: Texas Hill Country

Some wheels aren't even welded, the outer rim is heated and the insert is frozen. Then they're fit together and locked together forever, without a molecular bond.

Those wheels look cool. I wouldn't be worried about the welds, but the overall design seems to be minimal to me and I'd be concerned about a pot hole bending the rim. Even OEM cast wheels can be destroyed in a bad pot hole.

Feb 29, 2024 | 09:40 AM

RK4ME

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 9,243

Likes: 3,267

From: west Michigan

I would inspect the welds closely once a year to look for any fatigue cracks. I would also ask about the weight of those wheels and compare that to the weight of an OEM wheel.

Feb 29, 2024 | 09:52 AM

pgrchaplain

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 825

Likes: 711

From: N/E Indiana

FYI, All Steel Car Wheels are Welded. Go for it!

Feb 29, 2024 | 10:02 AM

jake24lt

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 2,681

Likes: 2,084

From: Massachusetts

DOT tested?

Feb 29, 2024 | 10:31 AM

Goose_NC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 8,012

Likes: 6,908

From: NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake24lt

DOT tested?

Does DOT actually test anything? Or do manufacturers state that they comply with DOT?

Feb 29, 2024 | 10:45 AM

jake24lt

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 2,681

Likes: 2,084

From: Massachusetts

It appears that any tire and rim that runs down a public road is required to be "certified" for road use. But it pretty much says, the DOT doesn't do testing and relies on SAE standards of compliance for certification. If you want to be bored to tears, read below.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...sec571-120.pdf