Rusting Spokes
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Jupiter FL
Rusting Spokes
I was in the last phases on bringing back a 2007 nightster and had just worked some rust on the spokes with 00 steel wool and pentrating oil. I was finishing up waxing the spokes to help protect them and thought I might as well wax the wheels on my 2013 Softail Slim (it has less than 800 miles on it). Even though it was not evident looking at them from any distance, the spokes on the Softail were also starting to rust. It really took me back to find my "new" Softail rusting since it is garage kept and I try to take very good care of it (it doesn't even get ridden in the rain). Has anyone else had this problem?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 96
From: fort walton beach
if you plan on keeping the wheels i would invest in a set of polished stainless spokes. they are not cheap but you will be investing in them at some point and if the rust stains the outer wheel you will be paying to get that coated as well. i don't know why Harley doesn't use stainless spokes in the first place.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Jupiter FL
Thanks for the feedback. I plan on keeping the bike and will look into the stainless spokes. I would assume Harley does not have stainless spokes as a standard is the profit motive. Thanks again.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
What he said. Every so often wash the bike and rinse with a lot of fresh water. Don't use steel wool on your chrome, you'll eventually ruin it. Even though it's a PITA to clean and polish spokes, the fact that you're near salt water, you need to. I use Never-Dull on the spokes on my bike. Used it for years actually. It will not only clean and polish the spokes it will remove rust and not harm anything..
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
Stock spokes are going to rust or turn a dull gray color, it is inevitable. Stainless spokes are about $150 a set, plus installation. Not cheap but it is that or go to aluminum wheels.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Florida
I was in the last phases on bringing back a 2007 nightster and had just worked some rust on the spokes with 00 steel wool and pentrating oil. I was finishing up waxing the spokes to help protect them and thought I might as well wax the wheels on my 2013 Softail Slim (it has less than 800 miles on it). Even though it was not evident looking at them from any distance, the spokes on the Softail were also starting to rust. It really took me back to find my "new" Softail rusting since it is garage kept and I try to take very good care of it (it doesn't even get ridden in the rain). Has anyone else had this problem?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Next time you detail your bike try using some S100 corrosion prevention on them.
