Hi Guys, Still kind of new here. I have a 2003 Heritage Softail FLSTC which has the older cadium spoked wheels in which I've read, that the spokes are known for rust and discoloration, "arrggg". Mine are starting to look that way.

My question is, what later years of softail wheels with the better chrome spokes will easily swap out on my steed, maybe just up to 2006?? or can I run the newer, say 2010, 12 or 2014 wheels? If the axle on the later wheels are bigger, can I just change axles and be good to go or no? Also, what year did they stop using the cadium spokes on softail wheels?

I would just like to be ready to get a better looking set of wheels in the future when the price is right. Thanks a bunch and what a great forum.

 

I'll follow this post, my 02 Springer has old rusty spokes too, just not sure if doing the upgrade is financially worthwhile.

 

I cleaned mine up with 0000 steel wool. It's a tedious job but not hard, a few swipes up and down and they cleaned up pretty well.

There is a myriad of aftermarket wheels to choose from, but I'm interested in what factory options will work as well. I know axle sizes changed from ¾ to 1", I think in 07, so there is that issue to contend with.

I also know newer bikes have tubeless spoked wheels, I wish we could run our wheels tubeless so we could plug them on the road instead of calling a tow truck, so that is another reason to go to newer wheels.

So hopefully someone will chime in with some tips on this.

 

<p>00-06 wheels from most, but not all, Dynas, Sportsters, and Softails are interchangeable.</p><p>'07 and up the issue is axle/bearing sizes, and '08 especially because there was 1&quot; in the back and 25MM up front. Widths on Softail Customs&nbsp;'07 and up also changed to carry a 200MM rear tire that won't fit '06 and earlier without some other work.</p>

 

Joe G, Let us know how your 0000 wool job holds up. The first good dose of moisture will probably tell the tale. My 03 heritage is the same color scheme as yours. I'll try to get some pics up sometime soon. Nice bikes, What were they thinking with cadium spokes $%%^^&&. I guess they were planning to help the aftermarket wheel companies get a foot hold.

Wonder what year they changed to the good chrome spokes, 04 or 05?? That will most likely make pickens for finding a good used set slim for us. Would sure be nice to be able to convert to the newer late model ones, and yes, go tubeless would really be a bonus.

 

I looked after I posted, they actually look pretty good, no rust, and I've been caught in some FL monsoons.

I can take a pic later if you want to see what my idea of "pretty good" looks like.

Frankly after I added the very shiny hubcap, I don't really see much of the spokes anymore - back is covered by bags, front is covered by hubcap and brake rotor.

 

Here is my front wheel. Spokes look pretty good to me, I haven't touched them for about 18 months except with the sponge when I wash the bike.

I find 0000 steel wool to be great on chrome as well to get off rust.

 

Hey, those look pretty good. I did my front spokes with "Never Dull" a while back. They don't look hardly as good as yours.

I just remember how good my ole 1999 Vulcan Classic spokes always looked without much effort and just feel like Momma Harley should have blessed us with some better gleamers.

 

Typically, 2000-2006 wheels of of FL softails will fit your bike.

 

I ran across this strong-arm product to clean rusty wheels. I've never tried it but the youtube videos make it appear like it works easy, I think the cussing the guy in the video is doing is his general way of speaking, not cussing about the product.

I always use 0000 steel wool for my rust work but maybe this would work easier? If anyone tries it please let us know.

http://strongarmbrand.com/SitePages/Bikers/