spokes

[spasm]

my bike is beautiful, looks great, nice and shiney, but why are my spokes seriously discolouring ? i wash after every ride, and spray the bike with ACF-50 or fs365. nasty cheap metal its not even a year old yet, 7000 miles and not really much wet riding, the spokes were lovely and shiney last year, and now they look 5 years old, its stupid, u think they would make them stainless, it now ruins the look of the nice shiney black rims.
so bloody annoying ::013::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Re: discolouring spokes

You didn't happen to have a lot of chrome on the bike you owned before the Tenere, did you? Just a hunch.

This has no been a problem for my bike over the 9300 miles. You would need to scrape off the dirt to see what color the spokes are. As far as I can tell they are dirt colored.

 

[tomatocity]

Re: discolouring spokes

I asked the same question in another thread. I thought the spokes were stainless steel but they are not. This allows the spokes to corrode easily. I don't believe keeping the spokes dirty is a good idea. Especially since there is a history of loose and broken spokes. Just my opinion.

 

[Tim Selwyn]

Re: discolouring spokes

My spokes were RUSTY within 5000 miles, Yamaha agreed to change them, there was no way I was going to let them fit another rubbish set of spokes, I sent pattern spokes up to the Central Wheel Co who made me a stainless set. the dealer then fitted them instead of yamaha's rubbish ones.( I have got a full set of new genuine ones if anyone wants them)
My S10 is 20 months old with 18000 miles on it, at 23 months old it is going back to the supplying dealer to replace every part that has corroded. This is going to cost them a fortune, the crash bars are rusty and anything anodised will need to be changed. I thought it was just me not looking after it correctly, but when I went up to Touratech in Wales, there's is just as bad. I did warn my main dealer I woud not tolorate corrosion, they are ready for me.
It is a shame because it is a fantastic bike to ride, and I love it to bits.
Tim

 

[SisuTen]

Re: discolouring spokes

Tim,
This is the curse of living in a beautiful place that is also on the ocean. I hope you can continue to enjoy this fine motorcycle.
Paul

 

[AL-58]

Re: discolouring spokes

From my time on the TDM forum it seems that the UK seems to have a greater problem with corrosion on bikes than anywhere.

It's just not a problem at all with my bikes as its a fairly dry climate, even leaving the spokes dirty wonrt do any harm, just clean them later.

I understand it's an issue just the same, material not fit for purpose.

Al

 

[streaky]

Re: discolouring spokes

my bike is beautiful, looks great, nice and shiney, but why are my spokes seriously discolouring ? i wash after every ride, and spray the bike with ACF-50 or fs365. nasty cheap metal its not even a year old yet, 7000 miles and not really much wet riding, the spokes were lovely and shiney last year, and now they look 5 years old, its stupid, u think they would make them stainless, it now ruins the look of the nice shiney black rims.
so bloody annoying ::013::

Not even 600 miles on mine and my spokes are starting to discolour, spoke to dealer and they said they will replace them,I asked could they be changed to stainless,They said they will ask the service /warranty department and see

 

[GrahamD]

Re: discolouring spokes

... dry climate...

::025::

 

[AL-58]

Re: discolouring spokes

::025::

I know what you mean Graham, bloody rain wont go away.

Al

 

[EricV]

Re: discolouring spokes

Perhaps if you stopped washing it so bloody much! : It's not a piece of art, it's a tool, use it.

 

[tomatocity]

Re: discolouring spokes

Perhaps if you stopped washing it so bloody much! : It's not a piece of art, it's a tool, use it.

Eric, dirty tools?

 

[EricV]

Re: discolouring spokes

Eric, dirty tools?

My bike is dirty, (my ADV handle is actually 'Dirty Bike'), but my tools are clean and well used. A well maintained bike is not necessarily a clean bike. O

 

[tomatocity]

Re: discolouring spokes

My bike is dirty, (my ADV handle is actually 'Dirty Bike'), but my tools are clean and well used. A well maintained bike is not necessarily a clean bike. O

Just razzin you.

 

[creggur]

Re: discolouring spokes

Since this is the first bike with spokes I've owned in over 25 years, excuse me if this is a stupid question:

Could one have a set of spokes painted or powder-coated black? I think black spokes would look tits with the black wheels.

Any downside to this?

 

[EricV]

Re: discolouring spokes

Since this is the first bike with spokes I've owned in over 25 years, excuse me if this is a stupid question:

Could one have a set of spokes painted or powder-coated black? I think black spokes would look tits with the black wheels.

Any downside to this?

Just cost. The weight from the powder coating would be minimal. I wouldn't expect paint to hold up well. There may be other options that are comparable in price, such as black ceramic coating or black chrome, depending on the look you want and what cost you are willing to pay.

Unless you're very familiar with the task, lacing wheels is not a do it yourself job. Woody's Wheel Works can probably make you up a set of black spokes, which you could replace one at a time, if you were of a mind to, or tackle the whole job if you sent them the wheels. I wouldn't expect it to be cheap though. Contact them for a quote, as well as other wheel repair places in your area that do work on spoked moto wheels.

 

[doctorj]

Re: discolouring spokes

I live near the ocean so this thread reminded me again to rub all the bolts, spokes etc down with WD40 weekly. Thanks for reminder. I could go to stainless steel spokes and may in time but keeping WD40 on them is easier and cheaper.

doctorj

 

[ridefast99]

This loose spoke thing blows my mind ..Yamaha has been building motorcycles for ever...whats with the loose spokes ...First of all if they were prone to getting loose .....how about a couple drops of red or blue lock-tite on each nipple......second ....at what milage should I start being concerned.....and third are the stainless steel spokes worth the investment and are they a cure all ....thanks ridefast99 ::009::

 

[RED CAT]

Re: Loose spokes

No big deal. Simply check them every once in a while and maybe give the odd one a tweak if its loose. Just standard procedure
for any spoke wheel. ::001::

 

[Doug44]

Re: Loose spokes

You should be checking NOW if you have a new ST the first 800-1500 miles is when my bike had several spokes loose. Myself and most owners find the rear wheel to be the biggest concern and on the drive shaft side seems the worse offender. I am at 6k miles now and check them every 500-1000 miles now and I am finding they have bedded in. Again I check but have not found any loose spokes on the front rim. Some owners have tie wrapped the spokes where they cross to keep them in place in case one comes loose it will stay in place and not beat up the swing arm. Not a ideal situation but every model of scooter has its problems and over all we have a great machine. The more I ride mine the more I appreciate it.

::021::

 

[buffalodave]

Re: Loose spokes

Mine is pushing 8K miles. I check spokes regularly. No loose spokes found. I own two other bikes with spokes. I ride them hard, and put them away wet. None of those have come loose either. As other's have said on this board - RIDE MORE, WORRY LESS!