18" R65 Snowflake Wheel Fracture Failure!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Apparently it CAN happen to the R65 wheels.

"Below: photos of a 40,000 mile R65 front wheel. Note that each spoke is badly cracked - the rim has been cut through to allow the broken spokes to come away from the hub. Design is similar to the early, recalled 19" wheels but a recall was never issued for the 18" wheels of the R45/65. Photos by Mark Endean."

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/blackmuseum.htm

[Barry]

That's the first 18" wheel I've heard of.  If we had a generic problem like the 19" wheels there would have been others by now.

Lets hope we don't hear of any more.

[aussie]

Damn - I'd like to know when it happened and what happened to the bike and rider. Makes me kinda pause for thought. When I got the bike the PO had obviously been mounting curbs or hitting a heck of a lot of BIG potholes becasue the rims had some significant dings in them. I took them to a BMW guy who 'fixed' them, (not quite sure how...and now I'm really wondering) but now I'm really thinking if I shouldn't be on the lookout for some new ones.

Comments appreciated.

[Bob_Roller]

I take a good look at the 'spokes' on my wheels, when the bike gets washed (twice a year !!!!) and a quick look when I check/service the tire pressures, just a habit I've gotten into after learning about the 19 inch wheel problems .

For some reason to me the snowflake wheels aren't confidence inspiring, the spokes are bit on the thin side for me  .

[montmil]

If you're concerned, check 'em. Don't just guess. Go here for non-destructive test chemicals. I've used both the Magnaflux and Met-L-Chek while inspecting aircraft landing gear castings.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/to/inspection_leak.html


Monte