Bottom line, what is the best way to clean and polish the rear wheel on my Heritage Classic? These spokes are very hard to keep clean and shiny. I am trying to avoid taking the wheel off the bike.
Thanks,
I have spoke wheels on my Bob and know what you mean. Here is what I do.
First off if you have a bike lift that is great for getting the wheels off the ground so you can spin to next polish area. Otherwise you will have to mark areas you have done with masking tape and then roll the bike to the next area.
I apply chrome polish to the spokes (and in between the spokes on the rims) with an old toothbrush.
Then I wipe and polish with a soft cotton small size towel. It takes a little bit of time to do all the spokes.
For getting inside the hub area, first apply the polish the same way by working your toothbrush around the hub area best you can.
Then to polish, first stuff the whole towel in thru the spokes onto the hub area.
Then take a couple of 3/8" dia. wood dowels, cut about 12" long and work the towel around with the dowels.
With patience you will learn how to manuver this area pretty good.
After you get them looking good. After each ride inspect for dirt or film. Before it starts to build up again wipe it off with Pig Snot or any good silicone based cleaner. This will keep it looking good in between polishes and make polish time less of a chore.