A funny thing happened on the way to twisties (bent rim)

eddiekay · March 15th, 2011, 03:50 PM

The pot hole was so deep that I hit China. OK...no damge to tire, no leaking air 3 days later and no noticeable change in feeling of bike.
What do we think....bang it out kinda pretty good for free.
Have a wheel guy bang it out for $50....or buy a new wheel for $XXXX

Alex · March 15th, 2011, 03:55 PM

I'm not sure I'd buy a new wheel off of that, but I would see if someone could get it straightened for a smaller amount of $. There have been a few recent threads on bent rims and what to do about 'em, here's one.

kkim · March 15th, 2011, 03:57 PM

how deep are your pockets... and how good is your medical insurance?

eddiekay · March 15th, 2011, 04:50 PM

OEM's are well over $400 so...pockets not as deep as that. Found this incredible repair guy....he has before after pics that are unbelieveable
http://www.framestraightsystem.com/General.htm
He's asking $130-$160 and 2 weeks turnaround so with freight...I'm up over $200 easy. Last try will be a salvage yard or maybe i can track down some of the guys on the site who swapped rears ? thanks for opinions .

Live2ride · March 15th, 2011, 05:07 PM

I would just bang it out myself. I've done it with tons of bicycle tires before with absolutely no problems, there is a bit of a difference but no way in hell would I pay more than $20 for someone to do it for me.

maxwellca21 · March 15th, 2011, 06:13 PM

im young and invincible but i would just buy another rim. look on ebay...there's a lot of banged up 250r rims.

kkim · March 15th, 2011, 07:32 PM

try and get the rim back as close as possible, yourself, but you need to be careful not to overstress the metal as you get it back into shape. That's what the experts are for.

once you get it back to a reasonable shape, use it until you can score a used rim on ebay.

eddiekay · March 15th, 2011, 09:21 PM

I experimented heating aluminum rod with propane and it can be bent pretty easily. Thing is...rod is extruded...wheel is cast...any thought on heating it ?

kkim · March 15th, 2011, 09:23 PM

no experience at all. try searching Google to find info on how to straighten a wheel.

know/understand what you're doing before trying just anything.

eddiekay · March 15th, 2011, 09:38 PM

KK....do you...like know somebody at e-bay or something?. 60 sec after reading your post I saw a '10 wheel for $149. It appears they're selling the casting and tire as they make no mention of bearings that I recall.....if '09 bearings et al will fit....I'm gonna BUY IT NOW......this is cheaper than a repair!

kkim · March 15th, 2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiekay

KK....do you...like know somebody at e-bay or something?. 60 sec after reading your post I saw a '10 wheel for $149. It appears they're selling the casting and tire as they make no mention of bearings that I recall.....if '09 bearings et al will fit....I'm gonna BUY IT NOW......this is cheaper than a repair!

you can check online at cheapcycleparts.com if the part numbers for the rear wheels between years are the same. I guessing they will be.

as far as bearings. you shouldn't be reusing bearings once you have removed them from the wheel unless you have a neat trick to avoid pressure on the inner race of the bearing when removing. usually wheel bearings are pounded or pressed out, which in essence destroys them.

scotty · March 15th, 2011, 10:45 PM

Why didn't you just buy a used one while you were in China??

+2 on google on how to fix bent rims if you go do it yourself! This winter has been brutal on the roads!

Toly · March 16th, 2011, 07:32 AM

FixRim.com They have a location near Farmingdale, I had my car rim fixed there, it was perfect. Ask 'em what it would cost to fix yours.

"A" · March 16th, 2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live2ride

I would just bang it out myself. I've done it with tons of bicycle tires before with absolutely no problems, there is a bit of a difference but no way in hell would I pay more than $20 for someone to do it for me.

I've been a bicycle mechanic since the early 90's.
Bicycle wheels only have to support rider plus 20-40 lb. of weight at speed rarely exceed 30 mph.

Motorcycles wheel support rider plus 350-400 lb., I wouldn't risk safety of a wheel while traveling on public roads at speed well exceed bicycles.

Time for a new or used wheel that is not damaged, I bought a used rear wheel with cush drive, rear sprocket & tire last year for less than $65 with shipping.

Live2ride · March 16th, 2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "A"

I've been a bicycle mechanic since the early 90's.
Bicycle wheels only have to support rider plus 20-40 lb. of weight at speed rarely exceed 30 mph.

Motorcycles wheel support rider plus 350-400 lb., I wouldn't risk safety of a wheel while traveling on public roads at speed well exceed bicycles.

Time for a new or used wheel that is not damaged, I bought a used rear wheel with cush drive, rear sprocket & tire last year for less than $65 with shipping.

I agree that you should purchase another rim. I said in my post that there is a bit of a difference between motorcycle and bicycle rims, the thickness is a huge factor. obviously you cant put a bicycle rim on a motorcycle because it's not meant to withstand the weight. I apologize, I wasn't implying to just fix it yourself and not worry about it, you will need to replace it for safety reasons.

Flashmonkey · March 16th, 2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

Why didn't you just buy a used one while you were in China??

LOL!

Anyway I'm with "A" on this one. See if you can find a new rim for cheap on ebay. A close second option would be to get a good mechanic to bang that sucker out for you. If your tire blows up at least you have someone to sue afterwards.

eddiekay · March 16th, 2011, 07:15 PM

All suggestions thankfully received.
Used dealer has one for $149 so, given that I've decided to do the used wheel and am due for a new tire anyway...I'm gonna take it off, heat it up and try beating it...hey, ya never know till you try ?

CZroe · March 17th, 2011, 05:58 AM

I have some bent rims. Anyone know of a place that can straighten them and also powder-coat? I ask because it makes sense to send them in ONCE and it would increase the resale value (they have already been replaced). All of the local places say that they will only do car rims.

"A" · March 17th, 2011, 08:35 AM

I'm not sure if the Ninja wheels are aluminum alloy or steel, but if you have ever crushed an aluminum can, you should know that tensile strength of aluminum is drastically reduced once out of its original shape.

Most shops have the ability to "fix" a bent alloy wheel on cars, but simply would not perform the "fixing" due to liability. Those that actually perform the "fixing", do not guarantee the integrity of the wheel once "fixed".
Besides, cars would have 3 other wheels to support the vehicle if one fails.. motorcycles, not ideal when one of two fails.
I would look for an undamaged wheel on eBay just to be safe rather than sorry when the wheel fails on a ride.

kkim · March 17th, 2011, 12:58 PM

I know the new gen wheels are an aluminum alloy of some sort... certainly not steel.

DaBlue1 · March 17th, 2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

...I have some bent rims. Anyone know of a place that can straighten them and also powder-coat?

The FrameMan
1645 Silica Ave. Sacramento, Ca. 95815
916/920-1010 916/927-9712
http://www.motorcycleframeman.com/menu.html

The Wheel Warehouse Inc.
4600 Gateway Cir.
Dayton, OH 45440
1-800-941-6400
937-291-2332
http://www.thewheelwarehouse.com/mot...eelrepair.html

CZroe · March 17th, 2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

The FrameMan
1645 Silica Ave. Sacramento, Ca. 95815
916/920-1010 916/927-9712
http://www.motorcycleframeman.com/menu.html

The Wheel Warehouse Inc.
4600 Gateway Cir.
Dayton, OH 45440
1-800-941-6400
937-291-2332
http://www.thewheelwarehouse.com/mot...eelrepair.html

They only mention restoring the finish. Nothing about powder-coating to change to a wanted color.

March 15th, 2011, 03:55 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I'm not sure I'd buy a new wheel off of that, but I would see if someone could get it straightened for a smaller amount of $. There have been a few recent threads on bent rims and what to do about 'em, here's one. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

March 15th, 2011, 05:07 PM	#5
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	I would just bang it out myself. I've done it with tons of bicycle tires before with absolutely no problems, there is a bit of a difference but no way in hell would I pay more than $20 for someone to do it for me. __________________________________________________

March 15th, 2011, 06:13 PM	#6
maxwellca21 ninjette.org member Name: Max Location: san marcos Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 250 Posts: 131	im young and invincible but i would just buy another rim. look on ebay...there's a lot of banged up 250r rims. __________________________________________________ ride it like you stole it!

March 15th, 2011, 10:45 PM	#12
scotty ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Scott Location: Carlise Ohio Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): Yahama v star 650 classic Posts: A lot.	Why didn't you just buy a used one while you were in China?? +2 on google on how to fix bent rims if you go do it yourself! This winter has been brutal on the roads! __________________________________________________

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March 15th, 2011, 03:57 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	how deep are your pockets... and how good is your medical insurance?

March 15th, 2011, 04:50 PM	#4
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	OEM's are well over $400 so...pockets not as deep as that. Found this incredible repair guy....he has before after pics that are unbelieveable http://www.framestraightsystem.com/General.htm He's asking $130-$160 and 2 weeks turnaround so with freight...I'm up over $200 easy. Last try will be a salvage yard or maybe i can track down some of the guys on the site who swapped rears ? thanks for opinions .

March 15th, 2011, 07:32 PM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	try and get the rim back as close as possible, yourself, but you need to be careful not to overstress the metal as you get it back into shape. That's what the experts are for. once you get it back to a reasonable shape, use it until you can score a used rim on ebay.

March 15th, 2011, 09:21 PM	#8
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	I experimented heating aluminum rod with propane and it can be bent pretty easily. Thing is...rod is extruded...wheel is cast...any thought on heating it ?

March 15th, 2011, 09:23 PM	#9
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	no experience at all. try searching Google to find info on how to straighten a wheel. know/understand what you're doing before trying just anything.

March 15th, 2011, 09:38 PM	#10
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	KK....do you...like know somebody at e-bay or something?. 60 sec after reading your post I saw a '10 wheel for $149. It appears they're selling the casting and tire as they make no mention of bearings that I recall.....if '09 bearings et al will fit....I'm gonna BUY IT NOW......this is cheaper than a repair!

March 16th, 2011, 07:32 AM	#13
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	FixRim.com They have a location near Farmingdale, I had my car rim fixed there, it was perfect. Ask 'em what it would cost to fix yours.

March 16th, 2011, 07:15 PM	#17
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	All suggestions thankfully received. Used dealer has one for $149 so, given that I've decided to do the used wheel and am due for a new tire anyway...I'm gonna take it off, heat it up and try beating it...hey, ya never know till you try ?

March 17th, 2011, 05:58 AM	#18
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I have some bent rims. Anyone know of a place that can straighten them and also powder-coat? I ask because it makes sense to send them in ONCE and it would increase the resale value (they have already been replaced). All of the local places say that they will only do car rims.

March 17th, 2011, 08:35 AM	#19
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	I'm not sure if the Ninja wheels are aluminum alloy or steel, but if you have ever crushed an aluminum can, you should know that tensile strength of aluminum is drastically reduced once out of its original shape. Most shops have the ability to "fix" a bent alloy wheel on cars, but simply would not perform the "fixing" due to liability. Those that actually perform the "fixing", do not guarantee the integrity of the wheel once "fixed". Besides, cars would have 3 other wheels to support the vehicle if one fails.. motorcycles, not ideal when one of two fails. I would look for an undamaged wheel on eBay just to be safe rather than sorry when the wheel fails on a ride.

March 17th, 2011, 12:58 PM	#20
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I know the new gen wheels are an aluminum alloy of some sort... certainly not steel.