Triumphrat

sponger

I pick up my new Bonnie Black this coming week. All the bikes I've ever owned, except for my HD SuperGlide, have had spoke wheels and I've never had any issues. I've read on various forums that people have had issues with broken spokes with the Triumphs.

What other wheels are out there as aftermarket options? I've checked some custom wheel sites but don't see any mention of wheels specifically for the Bonnies. Does a standard 19 x 2.5 and 17 x 3.5 wheel work?

Any suggestions for replacement wheels would be greatly appreciated, even some cool racing mag wheels.

The manual suggests lubing the chain every 200 miles. Is this really necessary? Seems like a short time to me. Nice thing about shaft drive and belt drive bikes are the low maintenance - thumbs up to HD on this one..

Thanks, Greg

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'06 Bonnie Black - AI and snorkel removed, TORs, K&N, IKON rear shocks, Hagon fork springs, Pingel, Tach added, K&Q seat, centerstand, Lucas Style Sport lights

SCCTrim

Dont freak out about the spoke issue, when you take into consideration the # of bike's produced versus the # of issue's with spokes....nuff said.


You've owned bikes with spokes, just maintain them...check them regularly. I have never had a issue with my spokes.

I lube my chain about every 600 miles or so, wipe it down with wd-40 and a rag and it'll be fine.

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Hated By All....cause thats just how it is.

CAPTDON

Really- W/ the # of issues & bikes keep an eye on them. I ping mine weekly- so far so good! I think after 2+ years maybe? I am clear of any "defective " problems? The pitting on the front rim was bothering me till I used some Never Dull . Now not A PROBLEM. Chain lube is a big issue here. I & many swear by Wax. Ther are some that use only WD-40. I use it to clean always- probably has some lube efect as well? I wipe it off then wax it . Stand O/N then good to go for 800+ miles & no sling mess. I think w/ normal use I would have to lube-wax only every 1000+ miles? Gonna see this time. Still shiny-lube look & smooth on the jack. I think the only thing that will make me re-lube now is sand buildup? Only had to adjust it 2x- once when new & 1 other time minute adjustment. Didnt really need it but it made me happy? I dont think the spoke issue is a big one - but keep an eye on them. :???:

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CAPT D

05Truxter

Neither have I until yesterday, when I found a broken spoke on the rear wheel of my thruxton.

Freaking out isn't neccessarily appropriate, but concern is. I was lucky that the spoke broke and didn't get hung up, and also that I decided to wash the bike and found it before it did damage. I could be in a hospital bed if things had turned out differently and I was too lazy to give the bike a bath.

As far as maintenance, I just had the bike in 2 weeks ago for the 2year/12k service, so the wheels were checked then, so the spoke must've broken very recently. The bike is 2 years old today and has 11,350 miles on it.

I ride my bike to and from work and other errands, as well as just to ride. I don't usually do a pre-ride spoke check, and how many riders do. I'm sure some do, but most don't. I've ready stories of broken bonnie spokes here, but luckily no catastrophies. Anyone remember Firestone/Ford Explorer?

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"Well, everybody likes motorcycles... to some degree."
- Bob Dylan

'05 Thruxton, Epco, RaceTech fork springs & cartridge emulators, YSS Shocks, Unifilter, snorkel out, 130 mains, 40 pilot, 1 shim, pilot screw 3 turns, turtle wax

sponger

I have to admit I don't pre-ride inspect my spokes either... I guess that is why I am a little concerned. Not in the habit of thorough pre-inspections for each ride... a broken spoke could never be noticed until too late.

I did check the spokes this weekend on my other bikes (HD and 3 dirt bikes) and all were fine...

The low maintenance aspect of a mag wheel is a plus (had them on my Superglide). Anyone know where you can get them?

Thanks again, Greg

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'06 Bonnie Black - AI and snorkel removed, TORs, K&N, IKON rear shocks, Hagon fork springs, Pingel, Tach added, K&Q seat, centerstand, Lucas Style Sport lights

rodburner

Dymag has 3 spoke mags and some cool carbonfibre spoked rims which are tubeless. Prepare to turn your head and cough though. Security carries a price.

:-D

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" A man is only as old as the women he feels" G Marx

05Truxter

The dealer hooked me up with quick service today in replacing the broken spoke while I waited, so I'm back on the road. The mechanic said there were no dents/dings in the rim, so it must've been a bad spoke. The dealer hasn't heard yet if it will be covered under the warranty, but it seems like there's a good chance it will. I guess I'll have to be more vigilant about keeping an eye on those spokes. I doubt I'll be able to notice before one breaks, though. The spoke broke right where it comes out of the hub at a right angle where the hub puts extra stress on the spoke. Someone somewhere on this forum or another mentioned safety wiring the spokes where they cross to keep them in place even if they break - anyone seen or done that?

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"Well, everybody likes motorcycles... to some degree."
- Bob Dylan

'05 Thruxton, Epco, RaceTech fork springs & cartridge emulators, YSS Shocks, Unifilter, snorkel out, 130 mains, 40 pilot, 1 shim, pilot screw 3 turns, turtle wax