Wheel repair

[MichaelSydney]

I did a search but found nothing so started a new thread. Sorry if this has been covered previously, as I am sure it has.

I dropped the front heavily into a pot hole today and managed to badly distort a rim (on one side only). Can you tell me if repairable and if so how?

I actually did not realise at the time that the rim was damaged and was later travelling up to 130kph before I saw the damage but there was no shake or imbalance. Tube type tyre of course to no air loss.

[Justin B.]

It could probably be fixed by the correct shop but a used fleabay rim would likely be a better way to go.

[montmil]

Gotta be an Aussie version of FleaBay, right? Otherwise, shipping could get pricey to your neighborhood. Here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, there are numerous shops that repair bent alloy rims on insurance claims. Even major auto dealership body shops use these services. Perhaps check some local auto body shops for possible resources.

Could be one of our Australian R65 asylum inmates will be able to help. Wait for 'em to respond.

[Tony Smith]

Michael


That is very repairable.

If it is only the outer lip that is distorted and the inner part of the rim is still straight I would use a block of timber and a 5lb hammer.


However if you don't want to do that you will need someone to roll it true for you I searched high and low for someone to roll a snowflake for me and failed, then I found a little engineering shop right here in cairns who say that can straighten very bent rims - google "Hanks engineering Cairns" and you can see their photo gallery of successes.
 
If you can wait a coupe of wees i am taking my very bent spare front wheel in for them to have a go at - it is 8mm out of true so I am not expecting miracles, but we will see.

[raven]

I had mine repaired by "All Aluminium Welding" in Chipping Nortorn. (Sydney)

Cheers
Dino

[MichaelSydney]

Hey, thanks guys, I appreciate the suggestions.

I used to "straighten" steel wheels on a Renault rally car with a lump hammer between stages, but I was concerned about this.

I assume the alloy used for the rims is deliberately quite malleable.

[Tony Smith]

Hey, thanks guys, I appreciate the suggestions.


I assume the alloy used for the rims is deliberately quite malleable.

Very.

If that wheel is still true aside from the obvious flattening of the outer flange, I'd be looking for my dead blow hammer and few lumps f hardwood.

[raven]

Michael,

My wheel had similar knocks as yours. The problem is that the wheel will have hairline cracks which need to be welded. Bashing it with a hammer will not repair the rim. It needs to be heated,welded and checked for run out. The guy at All Aluminium Welding just repairs mag wheels. He is very good and reasonably priced.

Cheers
Dino

[marcmax]

I had a sidecar attached to my R65LS for a while and wanted to use an R65LS front wheel so they would all match. I bought am R65LS front wheel with similar damage to it for less than $100 US thinking I could get it repaired.

The best price I could find in the US to have it straightened was approx $250 which was out of my price range.

I could find a replacement wheel for less than the price I paid plus repairs.

I decided to try and straighten it myself. I took a block of hard wood and carved it to the profile of the undamaged rim and used a ratchet strap to place it in the damaged section. With the use of a heat gun and a variety of hammers, dead blow, etc. I was able to restore the rim profile.

I was not trying to restore it to a front wheel use. I wouldn't feel comfortable using what I restored for front wheel use. I did mount it on the sidecar and had no bumps, shimmies, etc. when I used it for that purpose.

JMHO If I was relying on it as a front wheel (major control point) I would defer to a professional.