Broken Spokes
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX.
Broken Spokes
Did some "bobber style" custom work on a 2002 HD FXST Softail Std. ...Put a new, narrow (swingarm mounted) rear fender and a new 18 inch narrow rear chrome laced wheel. One day while cleaning rear wheel I found 3 broken spokes! (Out of warranty, of course)!!
...Ordered a new one, same brand...and, again, while cleaning rear wheel found a (one) broken spoke!!
Anyone ever heard of this before?.....Am I doing something wrong or are these bad wheels or improperly laced or improperly balanced?? .....(has no rear wobble at all)
.....Don't know what to do at this point!!
Thanks in advance for some advice on this!
...Ordered a new one, same brand...and, again, while cleaning rear wheel found a (one) broken spoke!!
Anyone ever heard of this before?.....Am I doing something wrong or are these bad wheels or improperly laced or improperly balanced?? .....(has no rear wobble at all)
.....Don't know what to do at this point!!
Thanks in advance for some advice on this!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
Probably not trued properly or spokes were loose. But why did you buy another wheel? You break a spoke, you buy a new spoke and install it.
My '05 Road Glide, when packed heavy, broke two twice on long road trips. After the first event I carried spare spokes in the Tour Pak (my bike had a long and short, carried two of each). Get bike in the air, let most but not all of the air out of the tire, remove broken spoke, insert new into hub and then gently push the nipple into the wheel just enough to insert the new spoke. Air pressure is important, remove enough to push the nipple in but not so much that it falls in and ruins your day. Once screwed in, use the tone method to tighten the same as the surrounding spokes. Check the rest by tone, tighten as needed so they all sound the same. Good luck.
My '05 Road Glide, when packed heavy, broke two twice on long road trips. After the first event I carried spare spokes in the Tour Pak (my bike had a long and short, carried two of each). Get bike in the air, let most but not all of the air out of the tire, remove broken spoke, insert new into hub and then gently push the nipple into the wheel just enough to insert the new spoke. Air pressure is important, remove enough to push the nipple in but not so much that it falls in and ruins your day. Once screwed in, use the tone method to tighten the same as the surrounding spokes. Check the rest by tone, tighten as needed so they all sound the same. Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,071
Likes: 1,006
in days of olden, i knew guys that could re-spoke and align lightening fast and did use the ting test. while good, these guys did it forever and a day, not so much for a one timer or tone deaf person.
there are a lot of spoke tools out there but the only one i recommend is the nipple wrench, will save battle scars or worse rounded off nipples. torque wrenches are a waste since torque is not consistent.
also use a heavy oil on the threads, does not take much, especially on stainless. the use of dial indicators and a truing stand is a must. you can red neck the stand with a vise and shaft but remember to take all of the axial play out of the bearing assy, the stand has cones for that, and some chalk helps to keep track of position and go slow.
the fsm does have a section on the wheel assy.
there are a lot of spoke tools out there but the only one i recommend is the nipple wrench, will save battle scars or worse rounded off nipples. torque wrenches are a waste since torque is not consistent.
also use a heavy oil on the threads, does not take much, especially on stainless. the use of dial indicators and a truing stand is a must. you can red neck the stand with a vise and shaft but remember to take all of the axial play out of the bearing assy, the stand has cones for that, and some chalk helps to keep track of position and go slow.
the fsm does have a section on the wheel assy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CSS_FXD
General Harley Davidson Chat
6
Oct 25, 2011 12:20 PM
drspencer
Softail Models
13
Apr 26, 2010 10:28 PM