General Topics/Tech Tips Discussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.

Wheel cleaning issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 09:02 AM
  #1  
chunks's Avatar
chunks
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 425
From: Pennsylvania
Default Wheel cleaning issues

I have an 05 Fat Boy

The rear wheel (its the stock solid rear wheel) got all cruddy the winter before last and there was a while where I was unable to clean it.

The resulting combination of moisture, salt, brake dust, and dirt has caused a LOT of corrosion, black splotches, and general dinginess that I am completely unable to scrub off no matter what
I use.

Its IN the metal surface cant cant just be washed off.

Can I use any kind of metal polish like Brasso or something that can strip off the corrosion?

Every other part of the bike, including the front wheel, look spectacular, but the rear is messing up
the whole thing cuz its just plain crappy looking.

You can see it in the last pic in the link for my bike at the bottom of this post.

If not brasso, then what? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Replacing the wheel is not an option at this time...
 

Last edited by chunks; Jun 2, 2009 at 09:11 AM.
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 09:48 AM
  #2  
RCB's Avatar
RCB
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maryland
Default

Chunks mabe try some Castrol Super Clean full strength and a pressure washer. And then followed by Mothers Power Metal cleaner with the buff ball or a small die grinder with a cotton polishing head. Hope this helps.
 
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 11:58 AM
  #3  
Bikerdad61's Avatar
Bikerdad61
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 1
Default

I use the Master Formula metal gloss and then apply the Master Formula sealer. WWW.Master-formula.com
If the Aluminum on your back wheel is corroded (white rust), not a whole lot you can do short of scrubbing it with a Red Scotchbrite pad then polish the heck out of it. The Master formula sealer gloss protects the surface for several months and prevents corrosion. Buffing with a cloth buffing wheel and air motor or Mothers powerball would speed up the process a bunch.
 

Last edited by Bikerdad61; Jun 3, 2009 at 06:29 AM.
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 01:56 PM
  #4  
Black Bart's Avatar
Black Bart
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
Default

Bikerdad,
Check out the website you posted a link to. Is this really the one you wanted to direct people to?

Bart
 
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 01:58 PM
  #5  
Black Bart's Avatar
Black Bart
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by chunks
I have an 05 Fat Boy

The rear wheel (its the stock solid rear wheel) got all cruddy the winter before last and there was a while where I was unable to clean it.

The resulting combination of moisture, salt, brake dust, and dirt has caused a LOT of corrosion, black splotches, and general dinginess that I am completely unable to scrub off no matter what
I use.

Its IN the metal surface cant cant just be washed off.

Can I use any kind of metal polish like Brasso or something that can strip off the corrosion?

Every other part of the bike, including the front wheel, look spectacular, but the rear is messing up
the whole thing cuz its just plain crappy looking.

You can see it in the last pic in the link for my bike at the bottom of this post.

If not brasso, then what? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Replacing the wheel is not an option at this time...
First off, is the metal a chrome or aluminum?

Bart
 
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 02:01 PM
  #6  
chunks's Avatar
chunks
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 425
From: Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by Black Bart
First off, is the metal a chrome or aluminum?

Bart
Its the stock aluminum solid rear wheel. No chrome
 
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:30 AM
  #7  
Bikerdad61's Avatar
Bikerdad61
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by Black Bart
Bikerdad,
Check out the website you posted a link to. Is this really the one you wanted to direct people to?

Bart
OOPS! Guess I left the dash out of the address. It's been corrected.
 
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 09:00 AM
  #8  
chunks's Avatar
chunks
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 425
From: Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by chunks
I have an 05 Fat Boy
The rear wheel (its the stock solid rear wheel) got all cruddy the winter before last and there was a while where I was unable to clean it.

The resulting combination of moisture, salt, brake dust, and dirt has caused a LOT of corrosion, black splotches, and general dinginess that I am completely unable to scrub off no matter what
I use.

Its IN the metal surface cant cant just be washed off.
I found the perfect solution. I took the bike to the dealer, and came home on a new one
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 03:46 PM
  #9  
Black Bart's Avatar
Black Bart
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by chunks
I found the perfect solution. I took the bike to the dealer, and came home on a new one
Ahaa!! What a way to go. However, there is one small thing, you will still need to care of the wheels on the new one!

Bart

P.S. Have fun!!!
 
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 07:51 PM
  #10  
rbabos's Avatar
rbabos
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Default

Originally Posted by chunks
I found the perfect solution. I took the bike to the dealer, and came home on a new one
Good, because I was dreading the long procedure in explaining how to bring it back to new state. Have fun with the new one.
Ron
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:00 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE