Rim Failure?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Yeah, and planes have flown billions and billions of miles, too. But every now and then one crashes. It's nice to find out why so, you can make an educated guess on whether you want to get on one or not...LOL.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
+1 Taken the number of spoked wheels that are in use, compared to the number of failures. Nobody knows what these rims have been subjected to. If you look at the load rating of a HD Ultra Classic, How many are being overloaded. I've seen some on the road that had to be overloaded with the two fat azz's that were on it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Spokes are a thing of the past, those that think they are still sustainable are doing so because of nostalgic reasons, not from a maintenance perspective. You can do all the run out checks you want but unless you keep the spokes true and tight, break down the rim and inspect it and even then the naked eye cant detect metal fatigue until its too late. They are just too high of maintenance, just like drum brakes went by the wayside when disc brakes came out.
Quick story a buddy bought a new 05 heritage, drove it 10 miles home, next day the tire was flat, when he took it to the dealer and they broke it down all the nipples/spokes were rusted, now think of the wheel damage had the tire not gone flat and went 20-25k before the tire wore out. PS dealer to him to shove it too!
Quick story a buddy bought a new 05 heritage, drove it 10 miles home, next day the tire was flat, when he took it to the dealer and they broke it down all the nipples/spokes were rusted, now think of the wheel damage had the tire not gone flat and went 20-25k before the tire wore out. PS dealer to him to shove it too!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 11
From: El Paso, Texas
The way that rim is rusted, I don't think HD is the blame. I remember on My older Bikes, HD recommended to replace the rim if rusted. We used to put a coat of Silicone On the rim (inside) over the spoke nipples to prevent the entry of water to prevent rust.
Last edited by Dionicio; Dec 23, 2010 at 04:48 PM.
