2014 Road King
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 4,104
From: Michigan
2014 Road King
Dealer just called to tell me my 2014 Road King just came in,only thing is it came in with the laced wheels with whitewall tires ( which is an upgrade of $400-$500 which the dealer said they would eat) instead of the stock cast wheels with non whitewalls. I love the look of the laced wheel w/ whitewalls, but i'm wondering about wheel maintenance (cleaning, frequency of truing wheel) and how hard is it to keep those nice whitewalls looking good.
They will switch out the wheels if I want, really on the fence over this. What do you guys think?
They will switch out the wheels if I want, really on the fence over this. What do you guys think?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
Totally up to you and what will make you feel good.
I had laced wheels on a Deuce years ago, and I'll never go back. I'm a clean freak, and time is running at a premium these days. If kept clean, they look great (and look like crap if not kept clean), but it was far more work for me than I was willing to invest. Chrome spokes will make the cleaning much easier!
I had laced wheels on a Deuce years ago, and I'll never go back. I'm a clean freak, and time is running at a premium these days. If kept clean, they look great (and look like crap if not kept clean), but it was far more work for me than I was willing to invest. Chrome spokes will make the cleaning much easier!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I've had the laced wheels on many Harley's as well as the white walls. I think they are both a PITA to keep clean. One nice thing about the narrow white walls is that you can easily make them black walls by coloring in the white with a new permanent magic marker then put a coat of Harley Black tire dressing on. Did that a few times, worked great.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 972
Likes: 631
From: Ohio
I like the laced wheels and white walls. I don't mind cleaning them. Unless you let them get really dirty it's not that bad to keep them looking good. The only thing I don't like about them is if you get a flat you can't use a plug to get back on the road unless they are tubeless. I have never had a flat but that is the only thing I don't like about them. I have 16000 miles on mine and have never had to have them trued or found a loose spoke.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Have had laced wheels with whitewalls for a long long time. No issue for me to clean, I enjoy cleaning up the bike. I think the cast wheels look cheap and even some don't have a clear coat which makes them look really bad in a short time. My 2010 EGC wheels had no clear coat. The new cast wheels do look a lot better than the older one's though.
Last edited by KCFLHRC; Feb 25, 2014 at 10:04 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
It all depends on the product you use to clean them. I have that combination on my RKC and I've tried all kinds of things to clean 'em.
The best product, hands down, is Harley's own Wheel and Tire Cleaner - it's excellent. Spray it on, give it a minute, gentle agitation with a nail brush and you have new -looking whitewalls and wheels. It's really not difficult.
I also believe that Harley have altered the design of their laced wheels so they are now able to use tubeless tires.
The best product, hands down, is Harley's own Wheel and Tire Cleaner - it's excellent. Spray it on, give it a minute, gentle agitation with a nail brush and you have new -looking whitewalls and wheels. It's really not difficult.
I also believe that Harley have altered the design of their laced wheels so they are now able to use tubeless tires.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 4
From: Northern Illinois
I have laced wheels on mine...none www because I don't like the look of them...Never had a problem with mine in 60k miles...They're not that hard to keep clean. I use westleys bleche white and a tapered spoke brush to clean mine not that big of a deal to me.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 3,518
From: PA
I think since 2012 all Harley spoke wheels are sealed and do not require tubes
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland, OH
A clean set of spokes looks great. Elbow grease and time is all you need for the wheels. Bleche Wite will be the best bet for whitewalls. The more often you clean both, the easier it will be.