When I picked up my used 08 N last Oct. (1,900 mi.) the owner said it was leaking air from the rear spokes. I told him it just needed a tube and to leave it the hell alone. By the time I got there he had boogered up 2 spokes trying to turn them with pliers. I was like WTF, he didn't believe me that there was a tube in there....DUH. Anyway, only these two spokes were dicked with. As soon as I got home I checked them with my spoke wrench to make sure it was all good and left it at that.

A few months ago a co-worker was driving behind me on the highway and mentioned that my wheel was all warbbled looking. I took a look and thought that it was mostly in the tire, as I had an occasional odd sensation from the rear on sharp left hand turns. Like the tire had a bubble in it or something and if it hit just right at the apex of my turn for instance, it would hop a little and I would lose confidence in the handling.

Well, the other day I was out in the middle of no where and nothing but wide open road so I turned around and leaned it way over so I could watch the rear wheel. Sure as ****, the damn thing was out in two spots like 1/4" almost. I immediately took it home and put a zip tie on each side of the swing arm and carefully trimmed it on each side so it JUST made contact with the wheel, then slowly turned it and charted out what was going on with the wheel. I did all of this on the bike since I don't have a stand yet and wanted to get back out riding again.

I was OCD about it, so I spent about 2 hours adjusting the spokes then another hour the next day with new zip ties and measurements. I then spent about 15 min. on the front since it was BARELY out. For my time, I was rewarded with evenly tightened spokes and PERFECTLY trued wheels front and rear. I was amazed really since the wheel never came off the bike. I am very particular about trued spokes wheels being an old BMX'er and dirtbiker, and these babies are spot on.

I could tell just going down my street at 25 that there was a significant difference and yesterday's 80 mi. ride confirmed that. I have never felt so confident in the bike. It's like the *** end just slides across the pavement like a dog on carpet with no real unwelcome feedback and less vibration. Was ROCK SOLID runnin' 90 yesterday into some serious headwind. I'm sure the OL's rearend will approve as well. LOL

Are they just not that true from the factory or did I just luck out with mine? The front was out about 1/8" total side-to-side, but it came right out.

 

They come pretty true from the factory. It's just a matter of keeping up on the maintenance to keep them true. A lot of owners don't.

I had a wheel go bad due to loose spokes (thanks to the previous owner), and I didn't realize it until I got a wobble on the highway. It was paramount to a flat tire it was so loose. The hub was a total loss along with the spokes. Never bothered to check the rim.

 

New to spoked wheels, so forgive me if this is a dumb question, but, what type of maintenance do spoked wheels need? I'm glad I read this so I can add them to my checklist...

Thanks!

 

Get a multi fit spoke wrench, #2 on mine for the H-D spokes on my Nightster. For a quick check just tap the wrench or anything else on a spoke to hear the tone, and go around checking them. There will be a variance in them so that's normal, you are looking for abnormal...you'll know when one is too loose. Other than that just visually check that the rim is true, either while riding or the method I used.

 

Tube? My 09 nightster no tubes ! Didn't know 08 had them

 

You got spokes? Then you'll have tubes unless you had them sealed or something.

 

Never mind, got ahead of myself.

Paul B

 

I have a spoke torque wrench, but then I work on multiple bikes that have spokes on a regular basis, so that's more of a time saver for me.

Essentially, you go around and tap the spoke (use the pattern: tap one - skip two - tap one) and they should make a nice ring like a tight wire. If it is a dull thud, you should tighten it no more than a quarter turn and move on. When you get back around to where you started (I use the valve stem for reference), you move over one spoke and repeat. Once all the spokes ring you should be good. It could take a few times if a spoke is really loose. The reason for the pattern and 1/4 turn at a time is to keep the wheel true.

Most new bikes rarely need more than a few spokes tightened at each interval. It's when you run 10k miles over bumpy roads and use a lot of power without checking them that they come loose.

If you get it serviced at a dealer, just ask them to check spokes. They should, but some don't. It rarely takes me more than 10 minutes a wheel if they're really bad.

I was in the dealer picking up parts one day and got to talking with one of the salesmen about the 2012 bikes, and he told me they've started running tubeless on the spoked wheels by somehow having the spokes sealed. That would be pretty nice if you ask me.

 

Thanks guys, very educational posts

 

I agree.

After reading though, I'm almost thankful to have mag wheels.