Loose spokes, need a new wheel?
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Northeast PA
Loose spokes, need a new wheel?
I recently took my rear wheel into the dealer to have a new tire mounted and balanced. Shortly after they started working on it they said "you have a few broken spokes and some loose ones. I don't know if the hub is bad or not" a few minute later he said "come on back and i'll show you." They showed me where a few of the holes for the spokes were slightly ovaled. I said "well i only have a month or so of riding left, stick some new spokes in it, and tighten them all up." So, that's what they did. They priced me a new wheel at $480 or something obsured like that minus the bearing kit. I laughed and walked out the door. The guy at the service department was actually nice enough to save me some labor costs, discount the tube and rim strip, and suggest Ebay for a new wheel. That's a dealer i can respect!
My question is since they replaced a few spokes, tightened the rest, and mounted and balanced the new tire, should i even be concerned with replacing the wheel? My opinion is hell no! I will check the wheel for loose spokes, and as long as it rides fine i am probably not going to worry. I put over 300 miles on it this past weekend will no signs on any wobble or such. Even prior to taking it in for the new tire mounting i didn't feel any signs of anything being loose. I suppose it may take a few more than 3 or 4 bad spokes before one starts noticing a wobble or an unbalance of the ride. What is everyone's opinions on this matter? Thanks!
My question is since they replaced a few spokes, tightened the rest, and mounted and balanced the new tire, should i even be concerned with replacing the wheel? My opinion is hell no! I will check the wheel for loose spokes, and as long as it rides fine i am probably not going to worry. I put over 300 miles on it this past weekend will no signs on any wobble or such. Even prior to taking it in for the new tire mounting i didn't feel any signs of anything being loose. I suppose it may take a few more than 3 or 4 bad spokes before one starts noticing a wobble or an unbalance of the ride. What is everyone's opinions on this matter? Thanks!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the ovalling is a concern.
wire wheels are 'modular" and balancing the tension is a balancing act.
I've never seen a motorcycle wheel collapse with out an accident, but I've seen bicycle wheels collapse due to tension imbalance.
You have time to look around for a wheel builder ( I have a Pal in Quakertown who builds bikes I'll ask who)
and then get a wheel built over the winter--- probably reuse spokes and rim, so it is hub and labor, not too bad a hit.
I'd worry about ebay wheels
mike
wire wheels are 'modular" and balancing the tension is a balancing act.
I've never seen a motorcycle wheel collapse with out an accident, but I've seen bicycle wheels collapse due to tension imbalance.
You have time to look around for a wheel builder ( I have a Pal in Quakertown who builds bikes I'll ask who)
and then get a wheel built over the winter--- probably reuse spokes and rim, so it is hub and labor, not too bad a hit.
I'd worry about ebay wheels
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Oct 13, 2011 at 01:24 PM.
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.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 576
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From: Eau Claire, WI
anything wrong with the wheels would bother me... that's one of those things on a bike if somethin goes wrong... it could be really, really wrong. Few hundred bucks is cheap insurance as opposed to riding around on a wheel you know has an issue. *especially* if you ride with anyone else... then it degeneragtes from risky behavior to pretty much criminal. Anything happens to another person on that bike and you knew the wheel was not perfect, that's on you.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Oklahoma
I suspect "most" folks with spoked wheels don't have this trouble or else they wouldn't be as popular as they are. Even so, many years ago I decided to avoid the problem and stay with cast wheels. Undoubtedly, that's not what you want to do, but it is an option.