1050 XT spokes pitting

[hill100]

The spokes on the rear wheel of my 1050 XT are starting to pit. No rust showing yet. Bike has not been ridden in the winter, and gets cleaned after a day out riding. The front wheel is perfect (so far).

[paulja]

They won't rust as they are galvanised. Might just be dirty, give one a clean and see. And yes, the front spokes seem to stay spotless (mine is still good at 30K) Rear wheel gets dirty on a dry day- you will give up trying to clean it 

[Rusty Nuts]

Are these new spokes very different from the rusty spokes all over this very forum?

[clutchspring]

I thought the spokes were stainless steel !
Ian.

[tallpaul]

Er, no. Sadly they are just some form of regular steel with zinc particles flicked at them with a paint brush. From a distance.

[clutchspring]

 I would have thought the wheels on the 1050 xt would be the same as the 1000xt which are fitted with stainless spokes !

[Mr Nick]

Ask Paulja as his were replaced under warranty: odd if they were already stainless don't you think. Maybe it's a fancy form of stainless that acts like mild steel?

[oslin]

There are several types of stainless steel some very good and some not so good, aircraft stainless is the best,

[Rusty Nuts]

Years ago my mate complained to his mechanic about rusting stainless fasteners. Straight faced answer was "it's brown stainless."

[Mr Nick]

aircraft stainless is the best,

There are many grades of stainless used in aircraft, commonly the 304 & 316 grades better known as A2 & A4, but also other specialist ones used like 631 for greater hardness, or temperature resistance like 321.

What you're likely to find on bikes & cars is 400 series as they're cheaper, but not as corrosion resistant, like 409 and 430.

[hill100]

Having read a few threads on StormTroupers, I tried cleaning the spokes with wd40 and gt85 with no improvement. But then tried T-Cut which removed what I thought was pitting and was in fact a stubborn film, which is only on the rear wheel. I use gear oil to lube the chain, and can't figure out what this film that looks like pitting and was near imposable to remove. This was a back breaking and time consuming job, so I have ordered XCP rust blocker in the hope that I don't have to do this to often.

[Gert]

If the spokes are galvanized as suggested above, then possibly a coat or two of cold galvanize should be sufficient. I would suggest that you try using cold galvanize in a rattle-can spray. A little prep work may be required prior to treatment. Also remember to first test for a colour match, before starting any touch up repairs.

[UK_Vstrom650]

The last bike I had with spokes, my old XVS125, I found lots and lots of Muc-off Miracle Shine and super-fine wire wool used to bring up them up a treat

[Brockett]

I suggest a scotchbright not wire wool which can shed micro particles and cause rust.

[hill100]

This film which was a bugger to remove was predominately on the chain side if the spokes. I think that it may be a reaction between the lube oil (gear oil) and AC50. I gave the bike a coat of AC50 before I put it away for winter. As the front wheel is not affected, it looks like small black spec (oil) which looked like pitting.

[clutchspring]

I know Honda have had problems with their spokes , quite a few owners have had them replaced under warranty on the Africa twin , there probably all the same poor quality fitted to most bikes.

Ian.

[vstroman]

I wish Suzuki would offer the top spec Vstrom 1050 with cast wheels, I would not have a bike with spoked wheels, apart from my bicycle