wheels

[gbsb]

When we bought our 2011 TriGlide the wheels were already starting to oxidize little white specks on them I have tryied polishing them but not getting the shine. They are still trying to oxidize, I did spend 6 weeks on the Oregon coast last year so they got a salt water mist on them. What does rvery one use on their stock wheels ? thanks for any help George

[trikermutha]

I had to use wheel polish with a drill and buffing wheel to clean up my wheels..Plus it puts a coating on the rim..I used Meguiars..but there are many wheel cleaners out there..

[TNTriker]

Once you get them polished out, just make sure you keep them clean. I got my wheels chromed, makes it a little easier to keep them shinny. I might add that Ron and are are pretty anal about keeping the bikes clean and detailed. We clean them up after every ride as soon as they get cooled off. Too much money invested to just let them deteriorate. Love a nice shinny bike!

[delta]

Last year I started using Flitz Metal Polish, Flitz-Polish.com - Flitz Paste Polish for Metal, Plastic & Fiberglass in the paste form. This stuff made the wheels on my 08 Ultra look chrome, even the rear. Do not use it on chrome or paint as it is somewhat abrasive. I apply daps of it to the wheel with my finger, spread it with a paper towel, then buff with a pad on a drill. I found that this stuff really treats the rims making cleanup a breeze.

Just got a 2012 TG and today just goofing off started on one of the rear wheels, talk about shine. I bought the 5 oz tube and have barely touched the stuff. If I were you I'd try the small tube.

I am not with the company, but this stuff really works!

[Gorilla]

Last year I started using Flitz Metal Polish, Flitz-Polish.com - Flitz Paste Polish for Metal, Plastic & Fiberglass in the paste form. This stuff made the wheels on my 08 Ultra look chrome, even the rear. Do not use it on chrome or paint as it is somewhat abrasive. I apply daps of it to the wheel with my finger, spread it with a paper towel, then buff with a pad on a drill. I found that this stuff really treats the rims making cleanup a breeze.

Just got a 2012 TG and today just goofing off started on one of the rear wheels, talk about shine. I bought the 5 oz tube and have barely touched the stuff. If I were you I'd try the small tube.

I am not with the company, but this stuff really works!

welcome aboard thanks for the tip

[GARYD]

I have the same problem with my wheels. 2012 TG and I ride all winter in Chicago area. I even used H-D bare aluminum pretectant on them. I used SimiChrome metal polish, H-D metal polish, Blue Coral metal polish and Master Formula Metal Gloss I just bought. The wheels shine but the spots are still there. Some go away after about 4 or 5 tries. That's too much work to do for 3 wheels. I may try a buffer wheel on my drill and see if that works better. <br />
<br />
After all the time I spent on the wheels, I said I'm going to chrome plate them, but I've read too many horror stories about plating aluminum wheels. So I don't know if I want to spend all that money and then have them start peeling or flaking in a few years.

I'm more inclined to buy new wheels from Harley instead of relying on unknown processes from unknown platers.<br />
I never had a problem with Harley chromed wheels. <br />
<br />
What are your thoughts on platers??

[Paw Paw Willie]

After 13 months and 20,000 miles my wheels look like #%&amp;*. No matter what polish or wax I used I coudn't get the stains out. I just had shiney stains. I read this thread this morning and went out and got some Flitz[paste, not cream]. The directions said use a paper towel to clean and then buff with a soft clothe. I did that and got 3/4 of the stains out. The directions also said you could use 0000 steel wool. So I used the steel wool and Flitz sparily and could not believe the results. Every single stain came off! And the wheels almost look like chrome.

It hardly took any effort. About 15 minutes for each wheel. I still can't believe how good they look. It cost $26 for the big tube, but you only use a little. You should get about 10 cleanings from the big tube. If you do it twice a year you should be set for about 5 years.<br />
This stuff is GREAT!!!

[rap47]

A lot of good polish out there and I have used them all in my many years of riding these great bikes. But, bottom line is nothing beats a nice chromed wheel for looks and ease of cleaning. Had my wheels chromed by Willyshiny and couldn"t be happier. To me it was worth the the extra $$$.

[delta]

Hey Paw Paw,

Wait till you see how long the wheels stay clean and shiny. I use the stuff with the flitz polishing balls and you'd swear it was chrome! Really makes it pop. Glad you like it.

[GARYD]

I reverted to trying steel wool too, but it didn't help. Even if it did, I don't think I want to do this again 2 or 3 times a year.

Riding in the winter in the Chicago area is not the best thing to do if you have non chrome wheels. And I'm not going to stop riding in the winter.

Now I just have to start saving for some new chrome wheels. I wish there was a better choice of wheels though.

[trikermutha]

There are a few other selling wheels,ebay a guy is selling his version,performance machine and others..but they are quite expensive..They do look cool tho..

Check with msocko..I wonder if he got his new set on yet??

[Paw Paw Willie]

Did you try Flitz? My wheels were about as bad as you can get. Just one huge stain. Flitz made them better than new with a chrome like look. 15 minutes per wheel. Hardly any rubbing if you use steel wool. I also tried every polish/wax out there, but this stuff is the real thing. $26 versus $$$$$. Just saying.

[msocko3]

There are a few other selling wheels,ebay a guy is selling his version,performance machine and others..but they are quite expensive..They do look cool tho..

Check with msocko..I wonder if he got his new set on yet??

I haven't gotten mine yet, last week I was told by Performance Machine that my front rim had come back from chrome and the rears where at chrome. They hope to ship this week if the rears come back with the chrome to their spec.

[CSM]

After reading all this yesterday, I thought I would work on my wheels for a bit.<br />
I used to own a streetrod and paid a lot of attention to Chip Foose, so I had some Mothers metal polish and a Mothers power ball in the garage. Also found a bottle of No. 7 chrome polish. (don't even know if they make that anymore)<br />
<br />
Long story short, I got after my wheels with the metal polish and power ball....not much effort, shined up really good, much better than new.<br />
<br />
Between wheel polishing I took the No. 7 chrome polish and took care of some bugs that had been a pain to remove on the chrome, also had some boot sole marks on my exhaust where I had scuffed them. Well, low and behold, all the scuffs and bugs are gone as well, again very little effort.<br />
<br />
Just thought I would throw all this in the suggestions.

[big 4]

a little tip i started to use , you all have heard of rain -x
put it on all shinny stuff helps try it

[luzierg]

Hi all....<br />
I talked to a vendor up at Lake George, New York (Americade) last June. He sold me some Cycle Care "M". I just saw him again at Daytona. This stuff is the best that I've used. I've tried them all. It takes a little rubbing but all the marks came off. About 15 minutes a wheel. Now that I've got them clean, I just quickly go over them for protection. A 8 ounce botle costs $16. He has a website Cyclecare.com..........I considered upgarding to a chrome wheel but have a hard time coming up with the money.

<img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />

[DakotaTG]

Last summer I used the HD aluminum cleaner that were in a wipe cloth and it worked pretty good. When I went to use them in the fall before putting the trike away for the winter I went to use them and they had dried up. So up to Wal Mart and got a jar of Mother's cleaner. The rims came out great and looked almost like chrome. I put a coat of wax on them following the cleaning and now this past week I got the trike out of storage and they still look great. Last year I cleaned the rims three times total other than regular washing and I have no spots or problems with the finish. Maybe I'm just lucky but I believe regular cleaning and some Mother's metal cleaner and a wax coat works for me.

[eagle1]

when i park my trike , i put a box fax on the r/h side near the exhaust. and turn it on HI for 10 min. and the bike is cool to the touch. thanks for the polishing tips.

[msocko3]

There are a few other selling wheels,ebay a guy is selling his version,performance machine and others..but they are quite expensive..They do look cool tho..

Check with msocko..I wonder if he got his new set on yet??

UPS just delivered my PM wheels, wow talk about great chrome. I've very pleased with them, they took a long time but the wait was well worth it.

[SEAlaskan]

UPS just delivered my PM wheels, wow talk about great chrome. I've very pleased with them, they took a long time but the wait was well worth it.

They are sharp looking, when you get them installed you have up date you avatar, can't wait to see them on the trike.
Butch