Just took delivery of my '11 Ultra Classic and found the front tire has a slow leak. Took it back to the dealer and they found the tire is not the problem, the (stock cast aluminum) wheel has a small hole in it.

I'm not sure who supplies these wheels for HD and what mfg process they use but I wonder if there aren't other wheels out there with similar issues. Service manager said he has never seen this issue before.

If you ride a bike with these wheels, you might want to keep an eye on your air pressure (if you don't already).

 

I had a car wheel do that once. Porosity in the cast aluminum wheel made for a slow leak for the life of the car. Only one of the four rims, regardless of what brand rubber I ran. It happens.

I wouldn't blame Harley for that one. Cast, is cast.

 

I gotta laugh at that. Wouldn't blame Harley??? So please explain the reason they should not replace the wheel. I guess it would be okay if the brakes did not work properly also?

 

Sh** Happens with any vehicle! I am sure MOCO will replace the wheel.

 

Who would you blame?, bottom line Harley is selling the wheel to the consumer, sounds like Harley needs to police there vendors a little better, thats not the only part that quality control is an issue on. probably selling the contract for the wheels to the lowest bidder, thats not always the highest quality though.

 

Yeah, I kind of blame HD too. You'd think they'd fill the tires and let them sit for awhile and see if they're holding pressure. If the bike was on the showroom floor for any amount of time they must've noticed the tire was low when they serviced it. Just seems like another case of I don't care what they tell you they do, they don't really do anything more than a cursory check. Quality control is done by the buyer.

 

Man don't you feel bad ranting about a wheel? What about the poor little Chinese 6 year old that may get fired over your tiny hole. Have you no feelings?

 

It's HD's responsibility to keep tight quality control on their suppliers or otherwise it could happen to any manufacturer what shook up the giant Toyota & Lexus world wide.

 

Did I say they "shouldn't replace the wheel"? WTF!

Of course they should replace the wheel and they will.

But bash Harley as if it where their poor workmanship, is not accurate.

 

There ya go.......there wasn't anything intentional on the MOCO's part.

Worst case, if this happens to me, I'll deflate the tire and fill the hole with JB weld and let it cure overnight, and reinflate.

Small potatoes, man.

EDIT: but realize I've built bikes from the ground up, and never leave anything stock, so any bike I have, is going to get the locktite and wrench treatment and a good go over on evcerything.

~Joe