Check rims!!!

[crumboy]

While overtaking on the motorway in Spain this year, two up with full kit on the RK classic, the rim on the rear spoked wheel split blowing out the tyre and sending us fishtailing down the fast lane desperately trying to make it to the side of the motorway with 0 PSI, bent wheel, and full load.
We made it just. PLEASE if you have laced wheels and a hog who's seen many summers, check the INSIDE of the wheel for rust. It might be the last chance you get. By the way, the rust inside was not as bad as it looks now, the wheel has been off for a month in the rain the back of the shed... I mean workshop. As I said in my Say Hello posting it ain't easy owning a Harley but they don't arf get under your skin. Cheers


Bit of surface rust on outside but not good inside-

[DynaMik]

Holy Shit,

Dont ALL Harley rims rust?

My Street Bob is starting to rust and it's only 3 years old.

The consequences could have been fatal!!!!!

How can you check for that sort of corrosion?

[Limey_Dave]

Originally Posted by MiKKiM

How can you check for that sort of corrosion?

Take off the tyre and rim tape.

Crumboy:
What year is the bike,RK Classic is a post '99 TC,yes?
If so then they don't look like MoCo nipples.
First guess is that someone in the past has taken a bad rim and maybe had a bad chrome job and respoke.Do you know the full history of the wheel?

If doing your own tyre changes,this can be spotted early and given a rub with a Scotchbright pad and zinc primed.

[DynaMik]

[quote=Limey_Dave;686836]Take off the tyre and rim tape.


Yes true. But given that tyres only get changed, in my case at least, every 2-3 years or so, I dont really fancy just taking off a set of tyres for a looksie.

The point is, rims shouldnt rust to that state in a few years.
Some of my old Jap bikes have lasted better than that. And they were crap as well.

My real gripe is that HD seem to accept this crap chrome. Its not so good when your life could be at risk.

[Rubianroaddog]

Congratulations Crumboy.

Well held that man, to suffer such a catastrophic failure and not spend some time sliding down the tarmac is well done indeed.

I shall be checking my rims on my next tyre change.

Cheers
Mick

[Limey_Dave]

[quote=MiKKiM;686950]

Originally Posted by Limey_Dave

Take off the tyre and rim tape.


Yes true. But given that tyres only get changed, in my case at least, every 2-3 years or so, I dont really fancy just taking off a set of tyres for a looksie.

The point is, rims shouldnt rust to that state in a few years.
Some of my old Jap bikes have lasted better than that. And they were crap as well.

My real gripe is that HD seem to accept this crap chrome. Its not so good when your life could be at risk.

I agree with what you say but I'm thinking that didn't go from new to that condition in 3 years.
There's something not right with the history of that wheel,I'm sure,but can't say what till he replies.
I'm thinking the last tyre was changed by someone who didn't look or didn't care.

[Ukkid76]

Those photos are incredible/frightening, 10/10 for staying on!!

The inner rims on my 03 Road king were rusting badly so I got a set of stainless steel rims and spokes manufactured and fitted at The Devon rim company,

I did this mainly because I didn't want to see the rust show on the outside of the rim, plus it isn't as much of a problem when the roads have been covered in salt,

I'm glad I had the job done now after seeing that,

Shit that's scary.

[crumboy]

Sorry for reply delay, busy time of year, I’m glad to show you all this because it could save someone’s skin. It’s a late 2001 TC , I’m third owner, previous chap polished it like family silver and used it a bit. I’ve since seen a couple of examples on American Hog sites, it’s not just me. My main man who took a look at the hog with me pointed out the steel is still full thickness despite surface rust, and in his opinion the steel has torn due to metal fatigue because it’s too brittle. In terms of loading, I’m about 13st, wife about 11st, stock panniers of T shirts etc and a 2 man tent, end of. Tyres were at recommended touring pressure. One more thing, it was a rapid failure, ok one moment, ice skating the next.
To someone not knowing what was going on it would have looked hilarious seeing a chubby whiskered Welshman and his misses bucking by at high speed, swearing and screaming like kids on the dodgems while squeezing the handlebars through his fingers like putty, but I wouldn’t like to do it again

[Brigg]

Something I have never thought of doing.... I live in Tanygrisiau (at weekends) and my 02 Sportster spent weekends in from 2002 to 2006 in the weather only North Wales can provide. When I needed a rear tyre change Dragon at Y Felinhehi they to cut the tyre off where it was rusted to the rim. I have changed the wheels now, but they are in the shed rusted to hell... Was going to get them refurbed and sell on, second thoughts now....

Salutory warning... Thanks

[crumboy]

My pleasure, regarding weather, apart from being used, it sleeps under cover as it did with previous owner.