Loose Spokes
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Loose Spokes
So..5 months ago, on June 27th, I pay for and my local dealer installs brand new wheels, rims, spokes, hub, bearings etc. on my 2005 Softail Deluxe.
I have put approximately 700 miles on the bike since then.
I start to notice a light wobble when deaccelerating, which goes away if you pull the clutch lever in. I ask my brother to ride my bike, to see if he feels it to, or if perhaps it's just my imagination. Nope, he feels it, and he also felt it on a few turns.
I take my bike to my local dealer, Petersons Harley Davidson in Miami, Florida.
Later that day the service guy calls me and tells me that it seems all of my spokes are loose.
The next day (yesterday) the service manager calls me to tell me that the spokes are in fact loose and that is why the bike was wobbling on me.
I told him I was worried if this was a factory defect, and he said no, not on my replacement rims, but that spokes can come loose on their own, and should be checked periodically as a maintenance item. I'll note that I never knew this, and that I had never, with the factory rims, in 5000 miles checked for loose spokes. I had no idea I was even supposed to!
I am happy to say that my dealership is resolving the issue for me at no cost to me. Is there anything in particular I should know, or I should be looking for regarding this problem once I pick up the bike today or tomorrow when it's ready?
I know I have read of some dealerships brushing off financial responsibility for the loose spokes issue with other people, but I want to throw props to my dealership for immediately addressing it for me like they are.
My previous rims, factory, had some 5000 miles on them and never came loose. I had the dealer replace them because the chrome was all peeling off and they looked TERRIBLE. I am just shocked that with less than 1000 miles, the spokes on the brand new rims would be coming off like that.
I have put approximately 700 miles on the bike since then.
I start to notice a light wobble when deaccelerating, which goes away if you pull the clutch lever in. I ask my brother to ride my bike, to see if he feels it to, or if perhaps it's just my imagination. Nope, he feels it, and he also felt it on a few turns.
I take my bike to my local dealer, Petersons Harley Davidson in Miami, Florida.
Later that day the service guy calls me and tells me that it seems all of my spokes are loose.
The next day (yesterday) the service manager calls me to tell me that the spokes are in fact loose and that is why the bike was wobbling on me.
I told him I was worried if this was a factory defect, and he said no, not on my replacement rims, but that spokes can come loose on their own, and should be checked periodically as a maintenance item. I'll note that I never knew this, and that I had never, with the factory rims, in 5000 miles checked for loose spokes. I had no idea I was even supposed to!
I am happy to say that my dealership is resolving the issue for me at no cost to me. Is there anything in particular I should know, or I should be looking for regarding this problem once I pick up the bike today or tomorrow when it's ready?
I know I have read of some dealerships brushing off financial responsibility for the loose spokes issue with other people, but I want to throw props to my dealership for immediately addressing it for me like they are.
My previous rims, factory, had some 5000 miles on them and never came loose. I had the dealer replace them because the chrome was all peeling off and they looked TERRIBLE. I am just shocked that with less than 1000 miles, the spokes on the brand new rims would be coming off like that.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
This yr Harley has had a bunch of new bike with WW's that the spokes are getting loose really fast.. Like less than a 1k miles..
Just do a search on it and see.
It seems like either at the 5k or 10k service they are supposed to be checked..
Also every yr in her there is several thread the remind others to check Ur spokes...
So if Ur read much in here U'll see that all the time.
Seems like I had several spokes a little loose at 10k but not so bad I had any riding issues.
I just snugged them up and now since then, at every tire change I have my Indy go over and check them.
I still check them every spring and fall with I clean her up.
.
Just do a search on it and see.
It seems like either at the 5k or 10k service they are supposed to be checked..
Also every yr in her there is several thread the remind others to check Ur spokes...
So if Ur read much in here U'll see that all the time.
Seems like I had several spokes a little loose at 10k but not so bad I had any riding issues.
I just snugged them up and now since then, at every tire change I have my Indy go over and check them.
I still check them every spring and fall with I clean her up.
.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
It is part of maintenance and states it in the owners manual. I went ahead a bought a spoke torque wrench so I can do it myself. I know many use the "ting" method but I don't want to take the chance of overtightening
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 487
Likes: 9
From: Yorkshire, England
I had this problem on my 2012 Deluxe, after about 3 months/1500 miles.
Dealership (In England) was pretty good and rectified it immediately with much apology.
Just as well that I'm still here to tell the tale after a couple of very hairy moments. Lucky I was wearing brown!
Dealership (In England) was pretty good and rectified it immediately with much apology.
Just as well that I'm still here to tell the tale after a couple of very hairy moments. Lucky I was wearing brown!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,097
Likes: 13,030
From: Texas, USA
According to the factory maintenance schedule for the 2012 Heritage, the spokes should be checked at 1k, 5k and 20k miles. A footnote specifies that the spoke tension should be checked at 1k, 5k, 15k and 20k miles and every interval therafter. It further indicates that it should be performed more frequently in severe riding conditions.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
I wish HD would step up to the plate and figure out WHY this is happening, rather than simple accepting it stating it's a common issue that we should be checking. I've been riding since the 70's and I don't even know anybody that's had spokes come loose on HD or Aftermarket wheels. In fact the only bikes that this seems to be common place on is the Twin Cams. IMO, they are in fact producing defective wheels and this should not be accepted by consumers. Maybe HD will investigate their defective wheels after they get served with suits involving several fatalities. Unfortunately it's going to happen at some point.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
I've had a few that sounded a bit loose, just snugged them up a bit, no real issues ever.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 487
Likes: 9
From: Yorkshire, England
I had this problem on my 2012 Deluxe, after about 3 months/1500 miles.
Dealership (In England) was pretty good and rectified it immediately with much apology.
Just as well that I'm still here to tell the tale after a couple of very hairy moments. Lucky I was wearing brown!
Dealership (In England) was pretty good and rectified it immediately with much apology.
Just as well that I'm still here to tell the tale after a couple of very hairy moments. Lucky I was wearing brown!
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: southern IL
I never knew the spokes had to be periodically tightened until I bought my wife a 2012 Heritage. She just learned so she didn't do very many miles and no highway in the first 6 months over winter. By the time we noticed the wobbling, she was at 1k miles, so our #wonderful# dealer said too late it's part of service so they charged us like $95. After that I bought myself a spoke wrench and have been using the "ting" method for 8k miles now. I would agree that the 2012s have a spoke issue, but only that the home dealer should tighten them when they get them out of the crate. Since that initial tightening I've made small adjustments to like 3 or 4 spokes since then. Hardly qualifies as a recurring problem.
So, really, did it take you 5 months of summer riding in Miami Florida to rack up 700 miles??? Were you sick? Injured? Deployed? Prison? What gives?
So, really, did it take you 5 months of summer riding in Miami Florida to rack up 700 miles??? Were you sick? Injured? Deployed? Prison? What gives?
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May 18, 2007 11:18 AM