I HATE these wheels!

[ultrafxr]

Did I mention that I HATE the wheels on my 2018 TG? Actually the wheels are fine. They look nice and everything but the finish absolutely SUCKS. The 'polished' aluminum spokes and rims on both the front and rear seem to pick up all sorts of nasty stains.

Just came back from a 1,600 mile road trip and the even after careful washing and scrubbing there are still embedded spots on all three wheels. I've been cleaning with a couple different aluminum / metal polishes and they are looking better but still not pristine by and means.

And the front wheel is an absolute bear to geat to for cleaning. I've had CVOs for the last fourteen years and they all come with chrome wheels. They get dirty but chrome sure cleans up a lot better than these aluminum wheels.

[rhino 2]

Did I mention that I HATE the wheels on my 2018 TG? Actually the wheels are fine. They look nice and everything but the finish absolutely SUCKS. The 'polished' aluminum spokes and rims on both the front and rear seem to pick up all sorts of nasty stains. Just came back from a 1,600 mile road trip and the even after careful washing and scrubbing there are still embedded spots on all three wheels. I've been cleaning with a couple different aluminum / metal polishes and they are looking better but still not pristine by and means. And the front wheel is an absolute bear to geat to for cleaning. I've had CVOs for the last fourteen years and they all come with chrome wheels. They get dirty but chrome sure cleans up a lot better than these aluminum wheels.

With my 11 Tri i spray painted the raw aluminum wheels black... And sprayed them with clear...On my 17 Tri wheels as soon as i got the Tri home i sprayed them clear before they could get stained.....

[Trampas]

I agree 100 %, you would think that harley would have these chromed, would not cost more than the crappy ones we have on the trike, when I had my 2016 I spent quite a bit of time polishing the damm things to get them to look good, they did but after riding you have to keep after them to keep them looking good, with chrome you wouldn't spend as much time, rinse and dry, that's it on chrome, it just amazes me what the bean counters can come up with, guess I'd better stop now before I get suspended for saying things I shoudn't on here.

Come on harley listen to the riders, not the bean counters and what ever idiots you have in the company

All for now Trampas

[Dave59]

I agree I hate the aluminum wheels. I tried painting mine with some clear paint I got at an auto parts store. They say especially for rims. I cleaned them several times over then painted and ended up with "fish eyes". Then they really looked terrible and I had one heck of a time getting back to looking normal. Not sure what went wrong with the paint.

[jc1300]

Yep...So first I got rid of the original Back rims and grabbed a set off a Free Wheeler...Think they are a better looking rim. Then had them 2 stage powder coated...same on the front rim {original}. Now all I have to do is hose them down! All is good..lol

[ShapeShifter]

I like the look of my Tri Glide Wheels.....just hate the heavy maintenance it takes to keep them looking good.

[jc1300]

I like the look of my Tri Glide Wheels.....just hate the heavy maintenance it takes to keep them looking good.

Then have them clear coated....jc

[Burnerboy]

Try a bottle of "Bar Keeper's Friend" Yes that's the name, you can purchase this bottle in Home Depot..it's soft cleaner, that I used, and it totally cleaned up my rims This stuff actually made my rims shine like chrome.....YEP IT WORKS, and it's not at all expensive, just a couple of buck for the bottle....

Ronnie

[ShapeShifter]

Then have them clear coated....jc

I hadn't considered doing that....only because some years ago when I lived in Michigan friends had their auto wheels clear coated and they turned a yellowish/cloudy tint. Some even looked worse after the coating got chips/damage and winter salt water slush seeped under the coating and caused corrosion and pitting. Could have been just bad prep and application, don't know. Products and processes may be much improved now.

Try a bottle of "Bar Keeper's Friend" Yes that's the name, you can purchase this bottle in Home Depot..it's soft cleaner, that I used, and it totally cleaned up my rims This stuff actually made my rims shine like chrome.....YEP IT WORKS, and it's not at all expensive, just a couple of buck for the bottle....

Ronnie

I'll take a look at Bar Keepers Friend. But I've been getting really good results cleaning with Zephyr PRO40 Polish. Just that the wheels easily get tarnished from brake dust, road crap or any riding in the wet. As you know the front wheel takes the most time and effort.

[hogcowboy]

At least you can get to your wheels to clean them. My Indian is a royal pain so they stay ugly all the time.

[ShapeShifter]

At least you can get to your wheels to clean them. My Indian is a royal pain so they stay ugly all the time.

Thanks!! Lets us know that there is a bright side to our tri glide wheel maintenance predicament.

[NHBAGGER]

Found a set of chrome stock wheels on EBAY and that took care of the problem for me.

[ultrafxr]

Yep...So first I got rid of the original Back rims and grabbed a set off a Free Wheeler...Think they are a better looking rim. Then had them 2 stage powder coated...same on the front rim {original}. Now all I have to do is hose them down! All is good..lol

So what is 'two stage powder coat?' I'm not familiar with that. One coat for the silver and one coat for the black? Wheels look good btw.

[ultrafxr]

Try a bottle of "Bar Keeper's Friend" Yes that's the name, you can purchase this bottle in Home Depot..it's soft cleaner, that I used, and it totally cleaned up my rims This stuff actually made my rims shine like chrome.....YEP IT WORKS, and it's not at all expensive, just a couple of buck for the bottle....

Ronnie

Got a bottle at Wally World yesterday. Works pretty good. Still have some light spots on the front wheel I'm having the devil of a time getting completely out but it does look better. Front wheel is obscured by the disc rotors so as long as it is reasonably clean the the rim part looks good I can live with it.

[jc1300]

So what is 'two stage powder coat?' I'm not familiar with that. One coat for the silver and one coat for the black? Wheels look good btw.

He did the entire wheel in "chrome" first and baked it...then came back and did it again in black but removed the areas the chrome needed to be seen...by hand. He did a great job. My problem is that he retired about 6 months ago!

And thanks - I really like the way they turned out too. jc

[Cagmo]

I had Willy Shiny chrome the stock wheels on my '16 TG. Cannot say enough positive about the switch. Beautiful job. Cleaning is a snap. JMHO.

Cagmo

[GARYD]

Stock alum wheels are F%$#ing terrible. I ride all winter here in Chicago area. Only morons would install uncoated aluminum wheels on vehicles sold in the rust belt.

I tried almost everything to restore my OEM wheels = nothing will do that.

What I did (costly) was buy a set of H-D Anarchy chrome wheels for the summer and then change to the crappy stock wheels in November for winter riding. I don't care what they look like in the winter - no one really notices.

Windex is all I use on the chrome wheels to clean them.

[I Corps]

[QUOTE=Cagmo;665410]I had Willy Shiny chrome the stock wheels on my '16 TG. Cannot say enough positive about the switch. Beautiful job. Cleaning is a snap. JMHO.

Willy Shiny is the best! He did my brakes and front fork tubes too. Beautiful job!

[David792]

I also have a 2018 with OEM wheels. I got negligent and after a long ride left the wheels dirty for a while. Had some chip seal on them along with some road salts and ice melt. Pretty much destroyed the finish.

I used simple green on them and let it sit overnight. I was very pleased with the result. Oh yeah, they are pitted and the pits hold lots of black oxidation, but they look much better.

I bought some Meguiars aluminum wheel cleaner (the one for non-coated wheels) and it works, but no better than the simple green.

Bottom line--- the OEM wheels are crap, but they don't cost me anything. I'm trying to keep my trike looking "box stock", except for comfort and performance upgrades, so I think I'll just keep cleaning them about once a week with a quick wipe down after each ride.

Love JC's wheels and might consider that treatment for the stock wheels.

[ultrafxr]

A concern I have about chroming the stock wheels is that there are so many sharp edges. Years ago I spoke to Bushtec about chroming the wheels on my trailer. They advised against it due to the sharp edges saying the chrome would not hold up and would flake. They powder coat their wheels if you want something other than the stock uncoated aluminum. They do have optional chrome wheels but they are big $$$ and a different design. So any of you who have chromed your stock TG or FW wheels . . . any problem?