Loose spokes - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

Rainman1957 · 10-24-2012, 02:36 PM

I've got a 2007 Heritage Softail and while cleaning it today I noticed several loose spokes on my rear wheel, they clank pretty good. I haven't noticed any handleing issues. I had issues with the front spokes shortly after purchasing the bike and had serious control problems but haven't experienced rear wheel problems before. Is there a procedure I can do myself or is this a shop job. Any help would be appreciated since I usually ride 2-up and alot of interstate speeds.

Dave63 · 10-24-2012, 02:46 PM

The spokes need to be tightened and the wheel needs to be trued. This requires the wheels removal from the bike. Most places will likely want to do it sans tire/tube. Twisting of the spoke nipples with pressure from the tube behind them can yank on the rim strip. Guarenteed, there's also rust on the inside of the rim that should be removed too. It sneaks in past the spoke nipples.

If you have this done, and keep a check on spoke tension, this should never have to be done again.

Craiger · 10-24-2012, 02:54 PM

You said "nipples" twice !......

RAD_Softail · 10-24-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craiger

You said "nipples" twice !......

***Kainam*** · 10-24-2012, 03:41 PM

Rowe USA Spoke Wrench - -- : Amazon.com : Automotive

Chief Illiniwek · 10-24-2012, 08:00 PM

How tight, Kainam? Snug, dig in, what?

***Kainam*** · 10-24-2012, 08:02 PM

I go by sound between the re-trueing at tire change time.

Tap the spokes and listen for the same pitch for the spokes, you can hear which ones need to be tightened.

chasarms · 10-25-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kainam

I go by sound between the re-trueing at tire change time.

Tap the spokes and listen for the same pitch for the spokes, you can hear which ones need to be tightened.

This how I do it. The last time I did it, my wife came out into the garage with that "what the heck is going on?" look after hearing "wind chimes" for a 15 minutes.

tommyglide · 11-05-2012, 11:16 PM

HD service bulletin calls for 55 inch pounds with a spoke nipple torque wrench,,but who the heck ever has one of those?
However the wind chime method seems to work well, eh?

kg5ie · 11-06-2012, 07:05 AM

Amazon.com: Excel TWS-206A 6-Piece Adjustable Spoke Torque Wrench Set: Automotive