Laced wheel safety
#22
05-08-2009, 08:48 AM
Road Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Once the first spoke breaks the other spokes are under greater strain and the wheel is in an unbalanced state of tension. It's only a matter of time before others break. After four or five of them pop the wheel will relax. 
#24
05-08-2009, 10:21 AM
...don't trust that the dealer is checking this for you, mine spokes came loose before 5000 miles and the tire had to be replaced under warranty, one of the reasons I do my own service now
#26
05-08-2009, 11:33 AM
Road Master
Yup... that is my RK there. I had no idea what was happening until it started to fishtail while riding. I pulled over and had 3 broken. Continued on to the next stop - 6 were broken. Tried to roll at 40mph to get home... (was so close...) then at the lower speed it just all came apart to the point I just got it to the side before being thrown. I knew I had problems - just didn't know it would all shatter at once. I thought it would be gradual until I couldn't go anymore - or I would make it home. Maybe not the best call - but after a long three days and being close to home you get to thinking "...just make it to the House!"
I think it was hitting a bridge seam or rolling the throttle the night before while leaving the restaurant... I don't know - what I do know is that 40spoke HD wheels are trash. I am going to try the 80spokes for now but any sign of loosening - their gone!
I am going to put a Fat50 21" on the front. These are the type that where used with the Munsters Drag cars - Threaded and bolted in... not anchored with a tab!
Anyway... yes it could have been bad. If I would have been doing 50mph I'm certain I would have been thrown... I mean I BARELY made it to a stop and it was lunging left to right like a mechanical bull.
Again... OEM 40spokes are not made for torque... worthless!
I think it was hitting a bridge seam or rolling the throttle the night before while leaving the restaurant... I don't know - what I do know is that 40spoke HD wheels are trash. I am going to try the 80spokes for now but any sign of loosening - their gone!
I am going to put a Fat50 21" on the front. These are the type that where used with the Munsters Drag cars - Threaded and bolted in... not anchored with a tab!
Anyway... yes it could have been bad. If I would have been doing 50mph I'm certain I would have been thrown... I mean I BARELY made it to a stop and it was lunging left to right like a mechanical bull.
Again... OEM 40spokes are not made for torque... worthless!
You saw 3 broken spokes and continued to ride. Everything that happened after that is your fault.
#28
05-08-2009, 12:10 PM
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Location: Payson, AZ within 400 miles of the best the west has to offer for riders
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That is Motorcycle Maintenance 101.
I had a friend tell me that the dealer changed the wheels on his Ultra from spoke to cast because he said they would not be safe with his fully loaded bagger.
He and his passenger are somewhat on the large side.
I had a friend tell me that the dealer changed the wheels on his Ultra from spoke to cast because he said they would not be safe with his fully loaded bagger.
He and his passenger are somewhat on the large side.
Last edited by princeaz; 05-08-2009 at 12:11 PM. Reason: Sp.
#29
05-08-2009, 12:24 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
So it's just a matter of torquing them all to 55in pds?
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