I'm changing the tires on my DR650. (Interesting process...) The rims are aluminum. (I'm guessing not forged cuz I see a weld.)
The PO must have hit some rocks or curbs pretty hard cuz the rear rim shows a couple of dents where the edge of the rim has been pushed out a bit, maybe 1/8" or so. The visible dents are both about 2" long.
There is no problem using the rim as is, it's a tube so no leak issue. But it does bother me to look at the thing.
I've tried half-heartedly to hammer them back but it didn't seem to do anything and is marking the rim.
I have access to a hydraulic press and I'm tempted, even though this may not be easy to set up since the lip is at an angle.
I'm also wondering what the chances of the aluminum cracking. The rim is probably $500 so I'd rather not do something stupid.
Could you put some G clamps with flatbar across the dents with some cloth to protect the aluminium and keep tightening the clamps?
Softening it with a little heat might help.
I havent done anything like this since my bicycle days when I fix a dented rim with dads biggest ball peen hammer
Find a reputable shop and spend the money to get it done right. I've tried a few methods but was never able to get them perfect. Truing wheels is more alchemy than science.
Find a reputable shop and spend the money to get it done right. I've tried a few methods but was never able to get them perfect. Truing wheels is more alchemy than science.
It's not so much a truing issue as a discrete dent one, in this case.
I did read some more about fixing dents. It's not sounding so good. Quite a few reports of rims cracking when trying to push dents back in.
So I decided to live with it, as it's mostly a cosmetic issue realistically.
I just put another tire on and let them be.
thanks
You still might have an out of balance issue even with what might be considered a cosmetic dent. After getting the tire on, balance the tire with a couple of ounces of Dyna-beads and let it be.
Get a new rim laced up, I used to build rims at speedmerchant.ca and the Excel is a exellent rim, use the heavier spokes and you will not look at that rim for years to come..
Unless you jump 35 feet to flat, pretty sure you will flat spot the rim
Just run it...its fine. Dirt bike wheels get dings...even excels.
Been like that for years...and has a few more now just like it.
Wait till you really bend one then get some fancy wheels/hubs if you plan on keeping your scoot for a while.
You will do more harm trying to fix em aluminum does not like to bend more than once.
