28 spoke wheels on my Street Glide look like crap! About 8 months old only 4000 miles and it looks like they have a clear coat on them that is getting all blotchy.

Anybody else have this problem?

Something Harley will cover under Warranty?

 

I would think that would fall under "material defects and workmanship" in your factory warranty.

 

I don't like hearing this.I just put a set of them on my 09 Classic and I love the look.I'm wondering if any Ultra Limited owners are having any issues with them.

 

the finish is being softened by the type of cleaner you may be using. Westleys, Clorox cleanup and many others are hard on the clear coat .

 

I don't think the 28 spoke cast wheels have clearcoat on them. The reason I think that is that I use Mothers polish on them. The applicator rag I use gets "black" really quick so that would indicate that there is no clearcoat to cut through. I will say that the brake dust that comes off those pads is some real nasty stuff. If not washed off every 10 days or so it will ruin the looks of your wheels. They need quite a bit of attention to continue to look nice.

 

My mistake,I thought JASNUSC was talking about the 28 spoke chrome wheels,like on the Ultra Limited.

 

Im not certain they have a clear they are just very blotchy and look like crap. They have been that way since day one I just never complained about it to the dealer.

Ive never used any hard chemicals to clean them just car wash soap and some diluted simple green might have got on them. If they are not cleared then all of that should come off with some polish.

Im going in for my free service soon Ill ask and see what they say.

 

Wheels are not coated. They will get blotchy if not cleaned weekly or if exposed to cleaners. They can be improved with heavy polishing but it's nearly impossible to ride regularly and keep them looking good. I've almost given up. Might chrome them next winter.

 

What have you had the most success with as far as cleaning them?

 

I've had some success with anything that is strong and I rub it until my hands hurt. Things like Simichrome or Flitz or Blue Magic. Latest is Mother's with the polishing ball on a drill. Still not perfect but the drill part makes me feel like I can do more. Chemical Guys makes an aluminum wheel sealer but it only lasts until the next toxic exposure. Cleaning the wheels under the best of conditions is the worst part of cleaning the bike. I've learned to accept "clean" instead of "polished". Can't see the rear wheel anyway. If I chrome them next year at least I'll have a surface that has a chance of being cleaned. I know it will attract as much dirt as the aluminum wheels but when I'm motivated to clean them they'll get "polished". Unless, that is, if I do away with the 28 spoke wheels and get some kind of open wheel with five spokes or less...