Damaged Rim

I decided to clean the bike this arvo after yesterday's run and found I have a bent rim. WTF.

I did hit a pothoile on the run yesterday - I didn't even see it so thought nothing of it at the time (I certainly wasn't thinking anything like "jeez that was a hard hit"). It was a bit of a harder bump than usual but nothing to get excited about (or so I thought).

Could it have happened last tyre change and I just didn't notice it? Don't think so as I've checked the pressure a few times since then and washed it a few times also. Here's a pic - you can see the damage adjacent to the leaf, just behind the rim sticker Suzuki logo. There is no damage on the other side.



Anyone else had any trouble? I still can't believe the bump was that bad (is the rim made of soft aluminium?) - if that's the kind of damage that the front is going to get from potholes, then we're all going to need back-up rims given the weather and the state of the roads. Still can't believe it though. Can these rims be straightened?

WTF is right. is that leaking air now?
I'd take a rubber hammer to that and try to bash it back into shape

I'll keep my distance front the front car about 6 seconds now if I'm not passing it on the other side of the road ... solely due to potholes or debris.

Sorry to hear it Ewok. It depends how bad the ding is. Some rim dings if heated right can be completely taken out. Alloy is a bastard stuff to work with. My younger brother had someone back over his bike and made a real mess. The only way I could straighten it was by cold pressing the alloy back into shape. Different alloys react differently to various treatments. I've straightened heavy industrial parts made from alloy by cold pressing. I've repaired the back rim on my honda and the only problem was the anodising. I couldn't replace it.

That one looks like it would come out with a plastic mallet.

If there is a place near you you could get the rim rolled. Of course you can have a go at knocking it back in yourself, alloy has a tendency to crack trying to get it back if it is bad. In the photo it looks slight, so should hold the bead still.

Bummer.... have to be more watchful for holes now too...

If you spot a pot hole pull up on the bars to lessen the damage. Hard luck ewok

That'll buff out with a bit of polish...

But in all seriousness that's a nasty tweak, hope you can bank it back into shape. Really surprised the seals not broken and letting the air out which could indicate the rim is not that badly damaged.

I had a bend front on the RF for many many km without ill effects.
The quote to restraighten and retemper was about a grand st the time.
I just rode on and kept a lookout for a used rim. BTW the bandit rim looks exactly the same.

I'de give a plastic mallet a go also. One thing I have told Jan whilst riding. If you are following a car, try to follow behind one of their rear wheels. Not in the middle of the car. Cause if he/she sees a pothole that you cant, they will try and pass over it.

Just an update. The front tyre is definitely holding its pressure (thank goodness). Also, TJ's tyres in Braddon says they've sent a few away to Sydney to get re-rolled - it generally costs about $150 so that might be the go. Canberra seems a bit light on for that service for bike rims - quite a few places that do car rims.

Although it is tempting to take to it with a rubber mallet....

Ewok , Alderton Motorcycle Repairs in Smithfield NSW get a few raps in different forums.

Thanks Boatz - good to know. I'll check them out.

Even though the rubber mallet may work - it just as easily may not and you could end up damaging it more severely and permanently instead of fixing it...(in my experience that does happen!)

I think I'd rather send it up to Sydney as you suggested or to the mob in Smithfield to get it done professionally.

There are several places advertised around the Sydney area that repair damaged alloy rims.. generally for cars I guess but worth inquiring into..

I bent my rear rim when my side of the road was missing and launched it into the crater it hit hard enough to pop the gauges out of the fairing i had it straightend by mike warner wheels (great job). the funny thing is that they are not straight when they are new