Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: DonB on April 26, 2012, 05:43:57 PM

Title: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: DonB on April 26, 2012, 05:43:57 PM
has any one had any luck having a wheel straightened?
The dealer tells me most times when they are repaired they will crack. They want to sell me a new one $754.98 (NOT) I talked Woody's wheel works in Denver and they seem to think they can repair it. they are not 100% sure from the picture, I need to take it up to them to make sure they think they can repair it.
this might be a good time to buy a silver set from flea bay since I never did really care for the black wheels.
went for a ride today in the mountains, a rock slid off the mountain. I missed the big one but hit one almost dead on that was about 5-6 inches.
I would guess the finish will crack during the repair and so I will have to powder coat it (if) they can repair it.

(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l140/n7myr/2012-04-26_14-44-21_964.jpg)
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: RBX QB on April 26, 2012, 05:52:52 PM
If I was more adventurous in riding on a mended wheel, I'd trade your black for my silver... save me from having mine powdercoated.

I know there are places that "repair" car wheels... steel and aluminum... but I have no FHE.
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: RBX QB on April 26, 2012, 06:06:14 PM
Got me curious, so I Googled it... Quite a few places out there that say they can straighten MC wheels.

This place seems to have sound reasoning and methodology (from what I understand about the properties of aluminum alloys)... plus they claim they are upfront on whether they can or can't repair a specific bend.  http://www.rimandwheelworks.com/motorcycle.html (http://www.rimandwheelworks.com/motorcycle.html)

Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: BlkBird on April 26, 2012, 06:07:44 PM
I would guess it's repairable but even the repair shop won't know for sure until they "massage" it back to it's former location.  The dealer I work for repairs aluminum rims all the time with pretty decent percentage of rims being repairable.  Good luck.
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: rtarp1 on April 26, 2012, 06:10:32 PM
ive had wheels repaired on cars before and it worked fine.  that tire looks toast too.
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: Armyguns on April 26, 2012, 06:42:42 PM
has any one had any luck having a wheel straightened?

Mine looked like yours, maybe a little worse.  I took it to http://wheelcollision.com/, (http://wheelcollision.com/,) and for $205 they fixed it right up.  I chose to not have them refinish it as it really wasn't that badly marred, but badly bent as the picture shows.  I didn't have to pay shipping since I dropped it off and picked it up.  I would think that any wheel straightening place near you should be able to do the same with yours. 
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: SANDPSYCHO on April 26, 2012, 07:09:54 PM
I haven't seen one bent that bad before but I have had several repaired rims on the BMW. I did fix the aluminum rim on my sandrail that was bent worse then that. That rim has seen more abuse in the 4 years since I bent it back into shape then any street bike rim ever will and I've had 0 problems with it. If you can have it fixed do it and don't give it a second thought.

Got to add if it's still holding air then I have seen worse and you could probably work it back into shape on your own.
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: maxtog on April 26, 2012, 07:19:05 PM
has any one had any luck having a wheel straightened?

You didn't even tell us the story!
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: ZG on April 26, 2012, 08:33:01 PM
Check ebay for a new one, I see em all the time for $100 to $200...
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: DonB on April 26, 2012, 08:49:23 PM
I found some on ebay but they are the wrong color. am thinking I will just get one and switch to silver. but think I will let the shop take a look and see what they think about repair first.
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: ZG on April 26, 2012, 09:00:38 PM
I found some on ebay but they are the wrong color.

Powder coat em black, trust me...  8)
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: jonathan on April 27, 2012, 07:54:38 AM
I found some on ebay but they are the wrong color. am thinking I will just get one and switch to silver. but think I will let the shop take a look and see what they think about repair first.

In case you weren't already aware; ZX-14 front wheels are identical to the C14. That may give you a few more options.
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: goodthymes on April 27, 2012, 09:56:47 AM
I used to get frames and wheels fixed all the time when I was racing. This is the guy I used. He is out of Sacramento CA.  At the time it was about $100 per wheel. The Marchesini wheel cost about $800 so it was well worth it.

http://www.motorcycleframeman.com/ (http://www.motorcycleframeman.com/)

Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: wildnphx on April 28, 2012, 01:33:41 AM
Had the front and rear straightened about 20,000 miles ago and absolutely no issues.  The dealer even confirmed after I mentioned the guys name that yes they have had him do work for them on several occasions and always good results.  Mine were bent just as bad as yours... :(
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: DonB on April 28, 2012, 07:14:06 AM
thanks for all the info.
I ordered a wheel and it will be here Tuesday. The next time I am up in Denver I might just take the bent wheel and let the wheel shop take a look see. but for now I am just going to move everything to a good wheel and be done with it
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: Flathead on April 28, 2012, 07:39:59 AM
thanks for all the info.
I ordered a wheel and it will be here Tuesday. The next time I am up in Denver I might just take the bent wheel and let the wheel shop take a look see. but for now I am just going to move everything to a good wheel and be done with it
Hey Don, didn't realize you were close to Denver... Woody's Wheel Works: http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/ (http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/) has always been good to me. No bike wheels but a few aluminum car wheels.
Title: Re: any luck straightening a wheel
Post by: DonB on April 28, 2012, 07:44:54 AM
hey Flat
I called Woody's and sent them the picture. they think they can repair it but need to see it in person and the way I hate Denver traffic I try and stay away from there as much as I can.
anyway I ordered a straight wheel and maybe someday I will take this one to Woody's and see what they think.
or may just throw it in the trash. if I take it and repair it will most likely sit in the garage till I die