02-02-2018, 12:28 PM
(02-02-2018, 11:38 AM)VLJ_imp Wrote: To the best of my recollection, I've never owned a bike with spoked wheels. I checked the owner's manual, and there isn't a single mention of the spokes. I asked the service department, and they had no idea. So...
1. Do these spokes require any sort of maintenance? I know that the spokes on motocrossers and trail bikes require periodic tightening, but what about these spokes? Being a streetbike, are the wheels constructed in such a way that it obviates the need for spoke maintenance?
2. What's the best stuff to to use to clean them? Following the ride home from the 600-mile service, suddenly the rear wheel is absolutely caked in gunk.
1. Yes, check for tightness periodically. Some will loosen. I rode my CB750F over a curb to park it at my shop daily for years. It was not the best for the front wheel spokes. If over-tightened or miss-tightened, the rim will not run true...even oscillate at high speeds. It took a dial indicator to get it back to normal.
2. The first miles will throw grease from the o-ring chain...so messier than normal. A wheel brush (automotive alloy wheel type) in a Dawn or other degreaser solution will clean up well. Using Dupont Chain Saver, throw from the chain has become less and less and less.