1972 small stroker Shovel with 2002 TLEU sidecar and broke a spoke on original rear wheel (no shame). Wore off a Shenko tire after putting sidecar on so switched to darkside with a Coker 5:00 x 16 car tire and think the stiffer tire accented the sidecar strain to rear wheel. After all those years the broke spoke is probably a sign of things to come. The car tire looks as new as the day it was installed so would like to keep running them. Are there better/stronger than OEM spokes and rims? Am partial to the round swingarm and drum brake but could change over to cast wheel, disc brake and new master cylinder? Have a 9 spoke 2002 front wheel that would look great mated up to original drum and sprocket just don't know if I want to tackle a job that size.
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I had a sidecar on my 1951FL. A sidecar is hell on almost every part of a motorcycle, but also fun and that is the trade off. H-D spokes, and nipples are quite stout so I don't know if there is a stronger upgrade. I guess Buchannan's could advise you on that. Alloy wheels are probably the best long run option.Eric Smith
AMCA #886
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Originally posted by exeric View PostI had a sidecar on my 1951FL. A sidecar is hell on almost every part of a motorcycle, but also fun and that is the trade off. H-D spokes, and nipples are quite stout so I don't know if there is a stronger upgrade. I guess Buchannan's could advise you on that. Alloy wheels are probably the best long run option.
Have never used Buchannons, will give them a call.
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Agree with Jerry about stainless. I have broken many spokes on my 33VC with sidecar. Buchannon has heavy duty spokes that will help but the biggest issue is the side forces out on the rear tire and the fact that stainless "work hardens" and then breaks. When Harley shipped a bike with sidecar from the factory back in the day of spokes, they used heavy duty spokes.Bob Selph
1933VC/1934LT Sidecar
1940 Sport Scout
AMCA#15215
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This thread brings up an interesting question. Did Harley-Davidson make their own spokes, or did they have a vendor? In the early days of motorcycle manufacturing, most manufacturers got their spokes from Torrington. Big companies don't want to re-invent the wheel so I have to think H-D had a preferred vendor.Eric Smith
AMCA #886
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Originally posted by 34 cac View PostYour spoke broke because the are loose. Replace your spokes with a standard spoke and keep your wheels maintained.Robbie Knight Amca #2736
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With good spokes going for $5 @ have decided to not fight it and put a cast wheel on. Means giving up my beautiful round swing arm for a cheesey square one. But- The bike is a rider with fiberglass bags so much is covered, disc brake is an up grade and will match car, Timken bearings designed for side load which sidecars add, AND cast wheels don't need spoke maintenance. Got a Dixie NOS wheel, ebay used swingarm, caliper, rotor and sprocket for under $300. Only need bearings, trip to powder coating and new master cylinder.
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I was told years ago that the Singer Sewing Machine company made the spokes for HD.
Jerry
Originally posted by exeric View PostThis thread brings up an interesting question. Did Harley-Davidson make their own spokes, or did they have a vendor? In the early days of motorcycle manufacturing, most manufacturers got their spokes from Torrington. Big companies don't want to re-invent the wheel so I have to think H-D had a preferred vendor.
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Originally posted by Jerry Wieland View PostDon't use stainless - they break faster than OEM,
Craig
P.S. Now these broken spokes were not O.E.M. They were aftermarket chrome spokes.Last edited by 41craig; 01-11-2020, 04:50 PM.
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