dent in front rim

[norschweger]

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My frontrim has had a dent from before I purchased it. After a little rougher terrain it seems to be worse. Now I can feel that it bounces, especially in lower speed. It got better when I set the rear shock softer. Now I wonder if I should replace it before I head towards South America. There is a company in Denver ( I am in Colorado right now) who offers different solutions. Is it worth the money to upgrade to higher material quality, is it recommended to take a narrower rim? Is it probable that I could run into trouble next time i am offroad with heavy luggage? Any experiences?
Thanks a lot!

[cjracer]

Originally Posted by norschweger

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My frontrim has had a dent from before I purchased it. After a little rougher terrain it seems to be worse. Now I can feel that it bounces, especially in lower speed. It got better when I set the rear shock softer. Now I wonder if I should replace it before I head towards South America. There is a company in Denver ( I am in Colorado right now) who offers different solutions. Is it worth the money to upgrade to higher material quality, is it recommended to take a narrower rim? Is it probable that I could run into trouble next time i am offroad with heavy luggage? Any experiences?
Thanks a lot!

Fix it. Why limp around worrying? This is not something you want to fail on a Motorcycle when you only have 2 to start out with. Won't be easier to find spare parts than it is in the US.

As you are in CO, Call Woodies or any other motorycycle shop to get you sorted out. Any shop should be able to get you the correct parts to fix it. I'd go thinner. thinner = Stronger in my book.

[Dustodust]

just a dent should not make it bounce as long as you pay attention to the spokes
my stock rim had a dozen dents before I changed it and it was a still a nice smooth ride
it may not be the rim but the tire or tube

did you check the spokes ?
make sure the rim is running true
do you know how to adjust spokes and true the wheel ?

If I was headed to SA I would rig up an Excel A60 1.86 and custom spokes if I had the money
or you could lace up a stock Superenduro rim and spokes

Woodys Wheel Works and Buchanon Spoke & Wheel are the best I know of

Woodys Wheel Works
2226 South Jason Street Denver, CO 80223
(303) 936-0232

or you could check the "Flea Market" for a used wheel

BTW !
you are riding in Colorado right now ?
BRRRRR !
its about -1C at my house in the mountains of Southern California right now
I hope you have some good gear !

[norschweger]

Thanks folks for the quick replies. I appreciate that a lot!
Good to read that you both name the company i am in contact with. Guess I will ride up to them and fix it.
Well, I am escorting my dad to friends and made it just in time over the Monarch Pass, with snow in our back. Heading south as soon as I have fixed my issues with the rim. Waiting for a new tire as well.
Well, no heated grips, gloves not really winterproof, no heated gear at all, but down vest. I live in Sweden/Norway : )

[Dustodust]

Originally Posted by norschweger

Thanks folks for the quick replies. I appreciate that a lot!
Good to read that you both name the company i am in contact with. Guess I will ride up to them and fix it.
Well, I am escorting my dad to friends and made it just in time over the Monarch Pass, with snow in our back. Heading south as soon as I have fixed my issues with the rim. Waiting for a new tire as well.
Well, no heated grips, gloves not really winterproof, no heated gear at all, but down vest. I live in Sweden/Norway : )

Wow ! you guys are tough !
In the 1970's on long bike trips I used to wrap my cotton jeans with duct tape and plastic bags , stuffed paper towels in my jacket for extra insulation , that was before the plastic grocery bags , they would work pretty good
I really like having the polyester fleece now
I also carry a backpack stove and hot drinks just in case
I got hypothermia several times , not having money for a hotel in those days
well glad you got it sorted , have a nice adventure

you just gave me insipiration to go out in the freeze for ride

[Quietus]

You can always fix the dents in the rims but if you're planning to use the bike a alot for offroad riding then you must consider upgrading to something better. The OEM rims are made of butter and they can't stand serious offroading without dents.

[LukasM]

If you are in CO it's a no brainer to go with Woody.

The strongest solution is an 1.6" Excel A60, but with an aftermarket hub and spokes that allow a X3 lace pattern on both sides. Talon and RAD Mfg are both good.

Almost as good and much cheaper is to use the 1.85" DID Dirt Star rim from the SE, then you can lace it right up to your stock hub with the stock spokes.

They both use 7000 series aluminum, but the narrower rim is a bit stronger.

[norschweger]

Originally Posted by LukasM

If you are in CO it's a no brainer to go with Woody.

The strongest solution is an 1.6" Excel A60, but with an aftermarket hub and spokes that allow a X3 lace pattern on both sides. Talon and RAD Mfg are both good.

Almost as good and much cheaper is to use the 1.85" DID Dirt Star rim from the SE, then you can lace it right up to your stock hub with the stock spokes.

They both use 7000 series aluminum, but the narrower rim is a bit stronger.

Are you from Austria?
Thanks for the info. I am not an extreme Offroader but i like to go wherever i want and sometimes it gets a bit rough, especially with my luggage on. So I guess i go for the second alternative.

[norschweger]

Originally Posted by Dustodust

Wow ! you guys are tough !
In the 1970's on long bike trips I used to wrap my cotton jeans with duct tape and plastic bags , stuffed paper towels in my jacket for extra insulation , that was before the plastic grocery bags , they would work pretty good
I really like having the polyester fleece now
I also carry a backpack stove and hot drinks just in case
I got hypothermia several times , not having money for a hotel in those days
well glad you got it sorted , have a nice adventure

you just gave me insipiration to go out in the freeze for ride

So who is tough here : )?
I have never done that kind of riding. I do it the onion style, layer by layer...
Do not blame it on me when you got frostbites. I am sitting inside and enjoy the view onto the snowy peaks, next to fire with a cup of coffee and french toast...: ) But later I go for a ride, too.

[norschweger]

Originally Posted by Quietus

You can always fix the dents in the rims but if you're planning to use the bike a alot for offroad riding then you must consider upgrading to something better. The OEM rims are made of butter and they can't stand serious offroading without dents.

Clamps, hammer?

[Dustodust]

Originally Posted by norschweger

So who is tough here : )?
I have never done that kind of riding. I do it the onion style, layer by layer...
Do not blame it on me when you got frostbites. I am sitting inside and enjoy the view onto the snowy peaks, next to fire with a cup of coffee and french toast...: ) But later I go for a ride, too.

Ah Hah ! here I thought you were tough , turns out you are only smart

smart wins over tough every time
Hypothermia is life threatening and not fun at all, very difficult to recover from especially when alone with only a box of matches

smart was never one of my attributes , but adventuring was

sleeping bag strapped to the back of a 1968 CB450 Honda, can of beans and a gas stove, roll of duct tape and I was good to go

Good info by Lukas BTW

[GrenDesb]

Originally Posted by norschweger

Clamps, hammer?

or a 200 ton press.

[High Country Herb]

Originally Posted by GrenDesb

or a 200 ton press.

Overkill much? I think I need one of those for cracking walnuts.

[Central Cali Rider]

Woody's ....

[norschweger]

200 ton press...I knew that i forgot something back home...: )
Everything prepared to get a new narrower rim by Woody tomorrow..

Thanks @ all
Over n out