rusty spokes...
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Stage I
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1
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rusty spokes...
My Nightster sat (in the garage) for 3 months while I was working out of town; front spokes rusted something fierce! I mean, it's pretty much ruined. removed the rust, but the spokes are permanently pitted.
Back wheel shows none. Never been near salt; it ain't even been RAINED on. Also had a few very minor rusty spots on the stock chrome pipes; is HD cheaping out that bad on their chroming?
Back wheel shows none. Never been near salt; it ain't even been RAINED on. Also had a few very minor rusty spots on the stock chrome pipes; is HD cheaping out that bad on their chroming?
4th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
yeah thier chome is real cheap. i have an 2008 1200C and the rear fender is showing rust. i seen probably only a month or two after i bought it and less than 250 mile and dealer wont do anything. probably rusted because the change in temp i've seen then do that in a garage. keep a fan on it so the chrome done sweat.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: EAST COAST
Willie,Go to the supermarket or hardware store and get a bottle of limeaway give your spokes a shot, let it sit for a couple of minutes get a soft tooth brush (dont brush with the limeaway) rinse,rust gone.
RESE
RESE
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
Many of the newer 'higher end' spoked wheels have polished stainless spokes, and not chrome plated spokes.
The problem starts with the 'cheap' chroming process that is used by many manufacturers. They don't put on a sufficient (if any) zinc coating on the metal spokes before the chroming process, etc... It's all about trying to save a buck in costs.
The chrome itself doesn't rust, but because of the small surface area and stress put on the spokes the chrome might crack or 'flake'. It's actually the metal under the chrome that starts to rust, and this shows up on the chrome surface.
Once this happens there isn't much you can do except to hide the problem with a temporary fix such as polish, steel wool, etc..... The chrome on the spokes will still have the minor defects in it's finish, and the rust will return.
The best solution is to just bite the bullet and go with polished stainless spokes that are available from many sources.
The problem starts with the 'cheap' chroming process that is used by many manufacturers. They don't put on a sufficient (if any) zinc coating on the metal spokes before the chroming process, etc... It's all about trying to save a buck in costs.
The chrome itself doesn't rust, but because of the small surface area and stress put on the spokes the chrome might crack or 'flake'. It's actually the metal under the chrome that starts to rust, and this shows up on the chrome surface.
Once this happens there isn't much you can do except to hide the problem with a temporary fix such as polish, steel wool, etc..... The chrome on the spokes will still have the minor defects in it's finish, and the rust will return.
The best solution is to just bite the bullet and go with polished stainless spokes that are available from many sources.
Last edited by OldFenderGuy; Jun 10, 2009 at 09:10 AM.
This is happening to me, not as bad as Willie though. I noticed last night when I was giving a look over at my wheels and tire pressure. I'm stating to see tiny amounts of rust starting. I keep my bike outside, covered everynight and in the rain covered as well. I haven't even fully washed my bike with a hose yet. I have riden in the rain before but I dry my bike completely everytime after the ride.
I'll try the lime away and soft tooth brush.
I don't like chrome anyway, maybe this will be excuse to get blacked out wheels. Ahhh! there goes another tattoo again!!!! damn money pit!
I'll try the lime away and soft tooth brush.
I don't like chrome anyway, maybe this will be excuse to get blacked out wheels. Ahhh! there goes another tattoo again!!!! damn money pit!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
This is what we used to do "back in the day" clean em up as best you can with steel wool,sand paper scotchbrite pad, whatever then spray em with a gloss black enamel done.
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I got all the rust off with some lime away and scotchbrite no scratch pad and an hour or more of elbow grease... oh and that was just the front wheel. I had to get to a bbq. The rear wheel is going to suck getting around the brake pad and crap. Oh well.
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