I've been down the same road - tried to clean them 4 times and it's a waste....I'm gonna switch rims to something chrome with very few spokes when it's time for tires. Even checking air is a PIA...

These rims are the only real disappointment I have with my bike - but they should have never happened

 

I only did a small test spot and quickly realized this is going to be a pain in the A$$!

 

They suck and stain very easily and quickly. Mine only wet once while in panama city for thunder on the beach and the bike was just sitting in the parking lot during a rain storm. Got back home and the wheels looked like ****. Mothers is what I have always used, but even it would not completely get the stain/corrosion off. In my opinion it is unacceptable since other Al wheels I have had did not react that fast. They should be clear coated, but just another example of shitty corner cutting from the MOCO. Would be better off with all black powder coating. As you can tell it pissed me off and still does, has to be a cheap alloy of Al they are using.

Maybe time for a class action suit.

 

Stock HD cast/bare alloy wheels are total JUNK...period!

 

Nice looking junk, but still JUNK I suppose!

 

I like the powder coating idea. Anything to just wash, dry, and go. I don't get any pleasure from polishing metal.