School me on spokes
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 102
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School me on spokes
Figured I’d put this here since no response on tech section 
Try to make it short, 012 Deluxe 3k miles noticed vibration under light load on way back to Dayton Ohio from Gatlinburg. Now this vibration may be normal to bike, my o7 night train did not have this vibration but different bikes. Could be normal just a long week of riding bike right hand going numb.
So I see a thread on this site about o12 Deluxe rear spoke issues. I go out and do a ping check on all rear spokes and find one that has a dead thud and I can move spoke in the hub.
I take it to the Dealer for a check and they said all spokes check ok (on the work order) service guy said they tightened the loose spoke. I ride home and recheck, all have a ping (some high some low) but the same spoke has a dull thud.
I went back to dealer and asked service guy and he said that is not a proper way to check and that a dull thud is not something to be concerned about.
Now I’ve never been one that tightens spokes because I’m concerned about making the wheel untrue. I’m sure there’s more to truing a wheel than just torqueing each spoke.
So let me have it
am I making a big deal out of something that I should just let slide. Ride the bike and keep an eye on it to see if it gets loose again.
I have no hate for Dealers or techs hell I’m a tech and work at a car dealer just spokes are not my thing.
Try to make it short, 012 Deluxe 3k miles noticed vibration under light load on way back to Dayton Ohio from Gatlinburg. Now this vibration may be normal to bike, my o7 night train did not have this vibration but different bikes. Could be normal just a long week of riding bike right hand going numb.
So I see a thread on this site about o12 Deluxe rear spoke issues. I go out and do a ping check on all rear spokes and find one that has a dead thud and I can move spoke in the hub.
I take it to the Dealer for a check and they said all spokes check ok (on the work order) service guy said they tightened the loose spoke. I ride home and recheck, all have a ping (some high some low) but the same spoke has a dull thud.
I went back to dealer and asked service guy and he said that is not a proper way to check and that a dull thud is not something to be concerned about.
Now I’ve never been one that tightens spokes because I’m concerned about making the wheel untrue. I’m sure there’s more to truing a wheel than just torqueing each spoke.
So let me have it
am I making a big deal out of something that I should just let slide. Ride the bike and keep an eye on it to see if it gets loose again.I have no hate for Dealers or techs hell I’m a tech and work at a car dealer just spokes are not my thing.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 656
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From: The computer desk.
My FLSTC, that I traded in (2012 Model 8,000 miles) took a trip back to the dealer in a trailer because the spokes on the rear were so loose it wasn't ridable. 2 more trailer trips for different reasons was enough for me, barely had the bike 10 months.
Anyway, there was a problem with the wheels and the dealer had seen it before, I had to wait a couple of weeks for the new wheel to come off of back order, and all was well after that (as far as the wheel was concerned).
If you have a spoked wheel on a 2012, I'd be remindin them they had a problem with em, if I was you.....
Anyway, there was a problem with the wheels and the dealer had seen it before, I had to wait a couple of weeks for the new wheel to come off of back order, and all was well after that (as far as the wheel was concerned).
If you have a spoked wheel on a 2012, I'd be remindin them they had a problem with em, if I was you.....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
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Thats what I was thinking they did not want to torque and true the wheel. They put all spokes checked ok on the r.o. I dont think warranty would pay shop to tighten a spoke.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,458
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Not a matter of just one spoke usually , problem lies with the fact the wheel comes off and to do things right the tire , rotor & pulley comes off and the tech takes a beating as the book rates cover about half what it takes because most aren't trained in truing a wheel or replacing bad spokes they will just sideline your bike and order a new wheel . HD has had issues with both spokes and wheels for a few years including a service bulletin on it so personally I'd hit the MoCo's website and few other sources get armed with some solid info and have a no **** conversation with the dealership owners and the service desk to get it taken care of . They will try to blow you off if you don't stand and push back .
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 102
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Thats what makes me not want to go back to that dealer and try to force a repair. Im a tech at a car dealer, have been for over 38 years. Yes warranty work sucks but when it comes to safety you take it in the *** and get it done.
I need money like anyone else but not willing to rip off or kill someone over it. This is a spoke issue a safety concern and any shop willing to let that slide will not get anything more from me.
I dont know about spoke set-up and what is normal or not but Ive never had this on any other bike.
Im going to check with another dealer and see what they say.
I need money like anyone else but not willing to rip off or kill someone over it. This is a spoke issue a safety concern and any shop willing to let that slide will not get anything more from me.
I dont know about spoke set-up and what is normal or not but Ive never had this on any other bike.
Im going to check with another dealer and see what they say.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,458
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
You've been there then and your logic is sound . I've lived bikes since I was 16 I build my own and have had a working shop forever and I'll farm out lacing & truing a wheel it takes a skill I've never mastered and I balance & blueprint shovelhead motors .
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
I wanted to replace the rusted (and frozen) spokes on my bike back in '05. I couldn't find any old-timer who knew how to build a wheel. I said, "screw it, I'll do it myself." I built a truing stand out of scrap lumber, and followed the instructions in the service manual. They turned out just fine, and I've been riding on them ever since.
Actually, it's easier to build and true a motorcycle wheel than a bicycle wheel, and I've trued a few bicycle wheels in my time.
I check my spokes for tension at every 5,000 mile service. It's not unusual to have a loose spoke or two.
Actually, it's easier to build and true a motorcycle wheel than a bicycle wheel, and I've trued a few bicycle wheels in my time.
I check my spokes for tension at every 5,000 mile service. It's not unusual to have a loose spoke or two.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jul 10, 2013 at 09:16 PM.