New Rear Wheel for r 65 LS

[jp9094]

Recently had a new rear tire placed on my 1983 r 65 LS. Upon removing the rear wheel and tire it was found that the inner surface had worn past the 8.75 inch minimum diameter specified on the wheel.

Have found that the wheel ( BMW part # 36 31 12 42 836) is still available from BMW, but at a very high price point. Can anyone suggest a less expensive option for replacing it? All suggestions appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[wilcom]

All suggestions appreciated

I'd be on the look out for a rear wheel, but in the mean time I would run what you have. I don't think I have ever mic'd a rear wheel before.

 The rear brake on any BMW that I have owned have been weak at best, always thought it was there just if incase the front failed, you could still stop the motorcycle. 8-)

[georgesgiralt]

Hi !
You're lucky because the plain snowflake wheel is not available new.
Replacing  the drum brake surface is not easy nor cheap. And is far from warranted.
First you have to find someone with a lathe big enough to hold the entire wheel.
Then he will have to remove quite all of the old drum brake, then he has to machine a tube with the proper dimensions and install it in the wheel with liquid nitrogen on the tube and heat on the wheel.
Once all is cooled off, machine the tube, now hopefully firmly held in the wheel to make it round...
If you find someone willing to do so for less than a new wheel, give me his credentials ;-) 

[Tony Smith]

The chances of anything bad happening are very, very low.

Put it back together and ignore it.

The cost of renewing the brake drum is too high to be economic, the only slightly more economic alternative is to have the existing drum machined smooth and a second drum sweated into place, there is just enough room to d so whilst maintaining the usual engineering tolerances, but still not a cheap process.

[Bob_Roller]

How many miles does your LS have
My '81 R65 has 89,000 miles on it and the rear drum is still almost like new, same with the '84 LS, which has 94,000 miles .

[jp9094]

Many thanks for the prompt replies. Not sure on the mileage as speedo not working when bought (since replaced).

Glad the advice offered is the same as I received when the tire was replaced ie. just ride it! Will keep an eye open for a used one in good condition, but am not holding my breath.

Again, thanks to all.