Went out on a bender, a wheel bender.

[paulsstag]

So, took the TBR out yesterday afternoon on some really rough and rocky two track roads. We are in the middle of our monsoon season down here in south west New mexico so the roads have some really deep wash outs from heavy thunderstorms.

Bottomed out the front suspension really hard twice while crossing some of these washes, i was most definitely traveling at a fast pace, probably faster than i should have been for a non moto x type bike.

The rear spring rate for the koeghs rear shock is the 120lb unit which feels about right for my weight ( 200lbs with all gear on).

My front suspension just has the std springs but i added a 2 inch spacer in both cartridges and i have an equal amount of 15w oil in both( i think it was the stock recommended amount of oil but i don't remember the exact amount.

I tend to run the tire pressures low when i'm off road and the tires absorb some of the smaller imperfections and i feel like i get better traction with the more street oriented tires, so tire pressure was set at 13psi front and 15psi rear.

I,ll post the pictures and then ask for a few suggestions.

So it started to rain and i just turned tail and headed home and actually went the fastest speed i've had the bike up to with the optimistic speedo showing 75 mph but i suspect i was probably 60 or 65 or the rev limiter as it did not go any faster on the steeper down hills. The bike had no unusual shimmies and felt solid on the paved road part of the ride home.

Once i was back at home and wheeling the bike back into my garage did i see the damage to the rim.

So i was wondering about lots of things starting with the best place for a new wheel or a stronger one (19 inch on the TBR ). Stiffening up the front end with stronger springs or do you think more oil or thicker oil would have helped?. A rethink on my lower tire pressure, would a higher tire pressure prevent this damage at the expense of traction off road ?

Share some thoughts
Thanks
Paul

[JerryHawk250]

Other than the bead being bent out, does the wheel have any side to side wobble? If not, I would take a rubber or leather mallet and bang the bead back. It's not tubless so no worry about it leaking. Check spokes and ride on.

[2LZ]

I've fixed those with a dead blow hammer and multiple "thwacks".

[paulsstag]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Other than the bead being bent out, does the wheel have any side to side wobble? If not, I would take a rubber or leather mallet and bang the bead back. It's not tubless so no worry about it leaking. Check spokes and ride on.

Surprisingly the rim is still straight until the lumpy bit, right side of the rim in the same area has a very slight bulge. there are now a few loose spokes in that area.

[JerryHawk250]

Try banging it back then check to see if it's out of round. I think you would of noticed that at 70mph. If not, I wouldn't worry about it. Rim has to be stout if that's all that happened. Most of the newer Hawk rims fold up like pretzels. The rims on my 2016 Hawk look heavy like yours. I've banged them pretty hard quiet a few times.

[paulsstag]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

I've fixed those with a dead blow hammer and multiple "thwacks".

Just got back from my garage and gave the wheel a thorough 'thwacking' with a 4 lb nylon dead blow hammer. I thwacked it within an inch of its life

So not too bad at all , i loosened and tightened the spokes too and got it pretty straight , it still had a small lump on the left side and a very small one on the right. I jacked the bike up and spun the wheel and even though the rim does have a bit of a flat spot on the left side of the spokes the tire does not go up and down. I'm going to call it good enough.

People can say what they may but i still think this bike is pretty damned tough and the best bang for the buck one could ask for.

[paulsstag]

Originally Posted by jeffrey

If it turns out you need a new wheel the Brozz wheel might work.

Thanks Jeffrey, I'll give my wheel a try and keep a close eye on the spokes and pay extra attention to how it feels on the road, if it does not work out i think the brozz wheel might just be the ticket.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by paulsstag

Just got back from my garage and gave the wheel a thorough 'thwacking' with a 4 lb nylon dead blow hammer. I thwacked it within an inch of its life

So not too bad at all , i loosened and tightened the spokes too and got it pretty straight , it still had a small lump on the left side and a very small one on the right. I jacked the bike up and spun the wheel and even though the rim does have a bit of a flat spot on the left side of the spokes the tire does not go up and down. I'm going to call it good enough.

People can say what they may but i still think this bike is pretty damned tough and the best bang for the buck one could ask for.

It will get banged up again eventually but until then let her rip!
That what's so great about these bikes. It doesn't hurt so bad if you have to fix something. You can replace the whole wheel assembly from partskit for about $70 if needed.

[McFailbutter]

Sry to hear your hear about the rim, those speeds off road though. Impressed that it wasn't worse.

[paulsstag]

Originally Posted by McFailbutter

Sry to hear your hear about the rim, those speeds off road though. Impressed that it wasn't worse.

Me too Jay, what i should have done was check the rims after the hard hits just so i would know. Could you imagine what would have happened if the wheel failed on my high speed run home ( relative to the china bikes ) trying to get home before the thunderstorm hit.

[OneLeggedRider]

That was a direct result of running the low pressure, I've ran my front tire as low as 18lbs but since have increased it to 28lbs now that I have the more aggressive Trakmaster k760 on it.

[2LZ]

When a person rides an old Husky that dawns the "Akront Yellow's" for rims, the dead blow hammer becomes your best friend.

Congrats on the fix!

[paulsstag]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

When a person rides an old Husky that dawns the "Akront Yellow's" for rims, the dead blow hammer becomes your best friend.

Congrats on the fix!

What are "Akront Yellows" i guess i don't get out enough.

[paulsstag]

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

That was a direct result of running the low pressure, I've ran my front tire as low as 18lbs but since have increased it to 28lbs now that I have the more aggressive Trakmaster k760 on it.

I did reply to you but it seems to have got lost in china space. Std pressures are 33/40 psi (front/rear) and am going to try 25/30 psi on my next ride and see how that works.

[AresROC]

Here is my wheel dent. I ran 10~15lbs and it blew rear tube and bent a bunch of spokes. I now run 20/20 front & rear. Have bead lockers but have not install them yet. Loosened the lock nut on the valve I was told steel wheels slip more than aluminum ones.