All new Trike owners should think about rear rims now. I was very care full for my first riding season on keeping clean and dry. I just pulled them off for some cleaning under the trike and the rear wheels have small stains that will not come off ! On inside of the rims look very bad. Im not sure of the fix except a expensive chrome job but be aware while they are relatively clean while new..


Inputs from other may teach me and I am willing to learn.


Hap

 

I had my rims chromed on 2011 and they still looked great when I traded it. Not sure what to do with my 2015 rims they are different, they have black lining. And doing an exchange I am not sure what I will end up with.

 

Another thing to watch for is bead leaks. HD does nothing to coat the inside of the rims, last summer, the night before I was ready to go on a ride, I looked and one of the tires was low. Put air in and within a couple of hours lost 2 lbs. So took the tire off, broke it down, and sure enough there was so much crud on the inside of the rim it started a bead leak. I cleaned it all up, and coated with the same goop used for car tire aluminum wheels to keep oxidation down. I have since did this to the other side.

 

Yep, they're a bear to clean. I have used some metal polish with a lot of elbow grease to get the stains out...it is possible.

Check out what I did about 7 months ago...no more stains or difficulty in cleaning.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/tri-g...erences-2.html

Post #15 in the link above. Cleared the wheels, and it's still holding up well. All I use to clean them is pledge and a towel, they wipe clean.

 

I took Kevin's advice when I traded for my '15 back in September. The day I brought the bike home I cleaned and clear coated the rims. NO more staining and pitting. Great advice.......


Gary

 

Hey
Kevin you say you sprayed them with clear?
Clear what?
Can I rattle can that
I still think I may do it even with small stains because they will only get worse and its so much hassle to keep clean.


Clear what? is the question.?
Thanks
Hap

 

I'm getting new replacement wheels for my 2012 tomorrow. I want to clear them and seal them to prevent bead leak. Do I need to have a paint shop do the clear or what do you recommend to clear coat them with at home. How do you seal the bead? Help!

 

I think he said he used Rust-Oleum Acrylic Enamel, Gloss Crystal Clear in a rattle can. Read his build out thread ... it's in there.

Seriously ... read his post ... lots of good tips about prep ... and we all know prep is 90% of a good Job.

 

Chrome them or they will waste your time and drive you nuts!!