Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

spokes rusting, 08 custom

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 02:32 AM
  #11  
gbinsingers's Avatar
gbinsingers
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

Hi, I have the rusty spoke blues, any recommendations on where to buy complete sets of stainless spokes for front and back wheels for a 2009 FXDC.
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 04:14 AM
  #12  
OldFenderGuy's Avatar
OldFenderGuy
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
Default

Originally Posted by gbinsingers
Hi, I have the rusty spoke blues, any recommendations on where to buy complete sets of stainless spokes for front and back wheels for a 2009 FXDC.
Thanks
Buchanan's seems to be one of the more popular places...

Some guys I know sent their wheels in to them to have them done, others just purchased 'stainless spoke kits' and did it themselves.

Here is a link in case you want to contact Buchanan's;


http://www.buchananspokes.net/categories/spokes.asp



 

Last edited by OldFenderGuy; Jan 8, 2010 at 04:24 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 05:58 AM
  #13  
jrmotorsports55's Avatar
jrmotorsports55
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Parma, OH
Default

Any special tools needed, or just replace them one by one?

Jason
 
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 06:50 AM
  #14  
malla1962's Avatar
malla1962
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Cumbria UK
Default

When mine go rusty I will get a stainless rim and spokes fitted.
 
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 12:31 PM
  #15  
BassCatcher's Avatar
BassCatcher
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Default

About the only thing you can do to keep rust at a minimum is to clean them really well and then apply a liberal amount of a good quality automotive wax. The many chrome polishes out there will shine them up but I doubt their protective abilities.

As far as the ones already rusted, you are pretty much screwed on those. Clean them well, perhaps with a scotch brite pad, then apply wax.

As someone else said, they are a low quality chrome.
 
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 12:35 PM
  #16  
brkbstrd's Avatar
brkbstrd
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Spokes are the devil.
 
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 11:01 PM
  #17  
MADOGA's Avatar
MADOGA
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Perth Australia
Default

Im noticing this is a problem on 08 sportys have the same issue with mine, seen quite a few posts on various forums with the same complaint.

Im just going over it with mothers polish every few months to keep a lid on it,

Reckon Harley should do a recall on these its getting to be a problem
 
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2010 | 07:13 AM
  #18  
jrmotorsports55's Avatar
jrmotorsports55
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Parma, OH
Default

So, common on 08s. What about other years? I have a 07, haven't seen a problem yet, but wondering how many years this effects.

Jason
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 9, 2010 | 08:07 AM
  #19  
72 Ironhead XLH's Avatar
72 Ironhead XLH
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 578
Likes: 60
From: New Jersey
Default

You really dont replace 1 at a time. you loosen and unlace all of them.Install the new ones, relace , adjust the offset, and retrue.
As far as the chrome spokes holding up, mine were chromed in 73 and still look very good ,no cracking or peeling. What is showing rust is the rim.
 

Last edited by 72 Ironhead XLH; Jan 9, 2010 at 08:10 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2010 | 08:50 AM
  #20  
xxxflhrci's Avatar
xxxflhrci
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Default

Originally Posted by HarleyScuba
Factory wire wheels do not have chrome spokes. They may be zinc plated - I'm not sure. .
Later model bikes have chrome spokes. I believe 2005 may be the first year with them.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:13 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE