Original Post

My 1200-C and I had a bad day yesterday. My rear tire with 9300 miles on ittook a nail on the top and right out the side.
Im thinking of going with the Dunlop 402 Elite stock size tire. But the stock rear cast slotted wheel is in bad shape, the chrome is peeling off on one side and corroding.
I think it would look better to have a chrome 40 spoke rear to go with the front spoke wheel. Have any of you put on a spoke rear wheel ? Do you think it looks better ? Could I have problems with a spoke rear wheel ? I would like to get this orderd by tuesday, so maybe I could get it up and going by next weekend.
Thanks for any advice you can give...Gary.
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I have my new chrome rear spoke wheel with a new 401 tire on, with about 200 miles on it, and I love it. All the guys I ride with thinks it looks cool. Much better looking then the stock wheel. The wheel came in from American Classic in great condition, and it's easy to keep clean...Gary.

 

Gary.

I just bought a 19" 40 spoke front wheel from American Classic, I hope my install goes as smooth as yours, how long did it take from time of ordering to day of arrival.

Thanks
Tom

 

I think the Custom looks better with the spoked rear wheel. As for maintenance, though, I think it would be a pain. You have to clean 40 individual spokes. Also, if you ever hit any large bumps with spoked wheels, you sometimes have to adjust the spokes because they become misaligned. That sounds like a big pain to me. [And that's why I always buy cast wheels in front and back...and cast wheels are generally cheaper from HD]

 

I have to hang with JC on this one. I currently have a rear spoke wheel and find it is easy to throw it outta "true", especially when gett'in after it two-up.

I am actually looking to go to cast on the rear if any of you are looking to part with your cast.?.?.?

 

Can't point to a specific link but, I read where a spoke wheel is far superior to a cast,(durability) will flex and not bend as per a cast wheel. I'de have to do a google search to find the article.

Tom

 

That "flexing" is probably the misaligning of your spokes. Not to mention I believe cast wheels crack, they don't bend. Besides, you'd have to hit something pretty hard to bend or crack a cast wheel if you have good suspension on the bike.

 

I replaced my mags with spokes on mine. My first sporty had spokes and I hit a pothole one night. The next day one of the drivers came in and asked me what I hit. We went outside and I saw my rim was bent so bad that the tube was showing for about 4 inches. I let the air out and put a board on the bent part and hit it with a BFH. The rim straightened out fine and rode fine after too. If it was a mag I'm sure it would have shattered.

 

I have a PERFECT cast rear mag off a '98 XL1200C if anyone's interested....I'd let it go for probably 70 bucksplus whatever it costs to ship it.....or something close to that.

You'll need a new tire, though....the ME880 I had on it got ate the hell up over the summer months. Other than that, it's clean and has never seen anything but dry, flat, hot Arizona roads, lol.

 

I ride with up to 14 people and all of them have rear spokes. Not one of them have had a problem as far as I know. But, bad things can happen to any wheel.
The stock wheel I had on is not pretty to look at. I dont think I can sell it in the shape it's in. But now my bike looks so much better. If I ever have a problem with the rear spokes I will make sure you all know about it...
'Tom' about 4 days to michigan...

 

Haven't heard much in the last several years of spokes coming loose. I know they used to be a pain, but I think the current factory spokes are far superior to the older ones. Plus they look alot better, IMO.