dented wheel on 1977 GS550

[Guest]

My son just bought a 1977 GS550 with a dented rim which is causing shake at 60MPH. Where can i get a replacement wheel? Or is it possible to straighten the one that i have. Looks like someone tried to repair it with a hammer, unsuccessfully. The side to side run out is not that bad.

[Big T]

You're talking about a cast wheel?
Or, a spoked wheel?

[rphillips]

Probably neither spoked nor cast, not worth the effort to repair. Replace it, scrap yard, Ebay, here in the wanted section. Welcome & good luck.

[roeme]

Probably neither spoked nor cast, not worth the effort to repair. Replace it, scrap yard, Ebay, here in the wanted section. Welcome & good luck.

Say what? Where there ever any other than cast or spoked wheels on the GS'es?

[rphillips]

Good point roeme, no cast wheels on orig. "1977" GS models, at least not in the U.S. but I'd think the later cast wheels should be a bolt on upgrade. Either way I would think it should be easier & cheaper to just replace than repair..

[Rob S.]

I generously dented the rear rim of my CB350. A friend who I frequently lent the bike to bought me a brand new rim and I laced it up to the old spokes and hub. Not something I'd want to attempt again. Find a complete wheel.

[GeoStar]

thanks for the comment Rob S. regarding the amount of work replacing the hoop on a spoked wheel. Not much available on ebay for used, but i did find a hoop replacement for $90 which ships out of Bangkok. It is advertised as 19 X 1.85 which seems correct and the I asked how many spokes, they answered correctly with 36. Probably worth a shot, just worried about quality.



gs front rim.JPG

[storm 64]

If you are just looking for the rim, I have one. You can have it for just the price of shipping. Message me if you are interested. 👍

[mattd1205]

The cast wheels will bolt up to the ‘77 bikes. You’ll need to move your rotor and some of your hardware over to the front mag. The rear should be a direct swap if I remember correctly.

Matt

[GeoStar]

Thanks Matt D.

that is a good tip. I will check with my son, but I suspect that he wants to keep the look of the spoked steel wheels. Although, i checked ebay and it seems like the mags are more available.

[mattd1205]

Thanks Matt D.

that is a good tip. I will check with my son, but I suspect that he wants to keep the look of the spoked steel wheels. Although, i checked ebay and it seems like the mags are more available.

I totally get it. If you do get some spoked steel wheels from eBay, make sure the tire is already removed as rust likes to lurk in there. Sometimes you get away with grinding it out but other times it’s catastrophic. I’ve seen ones that were gorgeous on the outside but rusted out so badly that they were unsalvageable and would’ve popped the tube instantly. Fortunately, mags don’t have these issues but they’re unfashionable on vintage bikes right now. IMO you get a better, longer lived wheel for cheaper. Win win.

Matt