Loose Spokes Heritage Classic
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: n
I sure keep an eye on my spokes since reading about these issues. I guess I am lucky, I have had 2 Dynas, a Road King and currently a '10 Heritage. All have had laced wheels and I have never had a loose spoke. I do check them on a jack with a screwdriver handle tap every 5K and now when I wash it as well. Admittedly, I am a little paranoid after reading these posts.
Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: milwaukee
loose spokes
I have a situation where all spokes came loose on the rear of a 2008 Ultra Touring at 3,900 miles. Caused crash. Serviced at proper intervals. I would appreciate further contact to discuss your loose spoke situation. My email is kennethj53202@hotmail.com.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 875
Likes: 10
From: Corp of Discovery trail, Missouri
I read about loose spokes on the Deluxe and Heritage prior to buying my 2013 Deluxe. After riding it 30 miles home from the dealer and checking out the new Deluxe in the garage I decided to do the screw driver sound test on the spokes and found about 6 spokes on the rear wheel loose enough to wiggle by hand I snugged them up and will continue to check them regularly.
Funny that I have a 43 year old Triumph with spoked wheels and they are rock solid.
Funny that I have a 43 year old Triumph with spoked wheels and they are rock solid.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 3
From: trivoli illinois
This has been a problem on later model bikes. I was posting in a previous thread about this very problem. I took my bike to the dealer about a month ago to have one of the front chrome Deluxe emblems replaced and mentioned to the service manager that the bike started feeling loose and had a slight wobble. I told him I think it might be the rear spokes. He told me that I was probably right because they had a large number of bikes come in with the same problem. He looked the spokes over and found a large number of them loose. He told my he would tighten them but that will only last for a short period. Something to do with the recess in the rim where the spoke nipples seat wallowing out. So he adjusted the spokes and ordered a new rear wheel assembly. I brought the bike home against his recommendation and against my better judgement where it has sat since. The service manager told me that without even a second thought he has ordered a new wheel for every bike that has came in with loose rear spokes and will continue to do so until the Moco does a safety recall. He is definitely on the top of my list as a great service manager. I was supposed to take my bike in two weeks ago to have the wheel replaced but have been very busy. I called him and explained my schedule and he told me that was ok, to just bring the bike in when I had a chance and that he would hold the wheel for me.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,514
Likes: 1,992
From: Vancouver BC
Here's another thread on this subject. According to this, there's a MOCO service bulletin about it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-my-buddy.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-my-buddy.html
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
First,, phew, glad Ur caught it now before something bad happened, Checking Ur spokes has been talked about in here a lot for Yrs..
Something I do twice a yr after I first read about it in here. After the dealer did the 1k and 5k, I thought they checked them so I checked them myself after the 5k I found 6 on the rear and 3 on the front that needed tweaked a little, they wasn't loose, just sounded dull when I tapped then.
As far a tightening them, there is a pattern to follow if a bunch is loose, One shouldn't just start at one spoke and go to the next one all the way around..
Here a pretty good vid on how to..
His indicator is a little old fashion,, but if U got good eyes U know one can get pretty close without a dial indicator, but if U have one it'd IMO would be better..
I also now have our Indy check them to make sure they are no loose ones and that the rims are true at every tire chage.
.
Something I do twice a yr after I first read about it in here. After the dealer did the 1k and 5k, I thought they checked them so I checked them myself after the 5k I found 6 on the rear and 3 on the front that needed tweaked a little, they wasn't loose, just sounded dull when I tapped then.
As far a tightening them, there is a pattern to follow if a bunch is loose, One shouldn't just start at one spoke and go to the next one all the way around..
Here a pretty good vid on how to..
His indicator is a little old fashion,, but if U got good eyes U know one can get pretty close without a dial indicator, but if U have one it'd IMO would be better..
I also now have our Indy check them to make sure they are no loose ones and that the rims are true at every tire chage.
.
Last edited by oct1949; Feb 2, 2013 at 04:15 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Well one more thing to add to the list of the pre-ride checklist. I never even thought about the spokes on my Night Train.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 487
Likes: 9
From: Yorkshire, England
How the hell do they get let out of the factory like this?
I had a 'near death experience' with my 2012 Deluxe - over half the rear wheel spokes loose after 1500 miles.
Will it take a fatality for the MoCo to get its act together?
I had a 'near death experience' with my 2012 Deluxe - over half the rear wheel spokes loose after 1500 miles.
Will it take a fatality for the MoCo to get its act together?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 487
Likes: 9
From: Yorkshire, England
I read about loose spokes on the Deluxe and Heritage prior to buying my 2013 Deluxe. After riding it 30 miles home from the dealer and checking out the new Deluxe in the garage I decided to do the screw driver sound test on the spokes and found about 6 spokes on the rear wheel loose enough to wiggle by hand I snugged them up and will continue to check them regularly.
Funny that I have a 43 year old Triumph with spoked wheels and they are rock solid.
Funny that I have a 43 year old Triumph with spoked wheels and they are rock solid.