Wheel Rim - Should I Worry ?

[Pete Logan]

1982 GS750E on original Suzuki alloy rims.

I just noticed today a slight bulge on the front rim right next to the valve. It's just a half inch or so long which is a little bulged out right at the edge of the rim. I have no idea when this happened or how. Pictures don't show it up as it is quite small, but there is a definite slight deformation of the rim. The bulge is only a fraction of an inch out, and I can really only see it at the right angle. Can definitely feel it, though.

If it was a steel wheel, I would guess it had dinked a kerb, but as far as I know, an alloy wheel would not bend like this from impact, it would more likely break. There's no sign of any cracking, and the tire is not losing any pressure.

I haven't hit anything, so if it was there when I got the bike it's done at least 5,000 miles like this. Another possibility is that it may have happened in the shop when they changed the tires about 1,000 miles ago - dropped maybe ? And, of course, it could have been there from new, as this was from the 'primitive casting' period before alloy rims were even rated for tubeless.

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I have a feeling that if I can see or feel any flaw at all on a rim I should chuck it and get a new one.

Has anyone had or seen anything like this, or have any strong views one way or another as to whether this is likely to be a problem ? I'm not sure I know a shop that I would trust to just check it, and I'm pretty sure it's not correctable.

Should I chuck the rim, or am I just being paranoid ?

Decisions, decisions

Pete

[LW_Icarus]

1 vote for paranoid. cracks are a problem, a little ding shouldn't be a problem. chances are any used wheel you find is going to have similar imperfections.

[fgh]

Paranoid? Not at all. If it doesn't leak, wobble, or vibrate I would run it.

[Pete Logan]

OK, thanks guys. I'll just run it.

Pete

[KGB]

Wonder what it looks like from inside?

It may have a crack on the inside.
next time you change tires/tyres take a look inside.


If the tire/tyre holds air ok, no wobble, and they didn't use lots
of weight to balance it....I'd run it.

[Pete Logan]

next time you change tires/tyres take a look inside.
......................
If the tire/tyre holds air ok, no wobble, and they didn't use lots
of weight to balance it....I'd run it.

Good advice, thanks. 60 grams weight (a hair over 2 oz) about 1/3 of the way around the wheel from the nudge/valve.

Pete

[frosty5011]

Pete wrote:

If it was a steel wheel, I would guess it had dinked a kerb, but as far as I know, an alloy wheel would not bend like this from impact, it would more likely break.

Not necessarily the case, Pete. I hit a markerstone last year (another story).....it bent one side of the stock alloy rim in almost an inch - no break in the material at all. I'd bet that's probably exactly what it is....a dent from "dinking" a kerb.

[Pete Logan]

I guess it must have been on there for a long time, then, cos I know I haven't hit anything.

Thanks

Pete

[Steve]

I would not worry about it if it holds air and causes you no other problems.

Many years ago, I was riding my KZ1300 down the Long Beach Freeway and ran over a block of wood, one of those 6 x 8 chock blocks they use on a flatbed truck. The 8" of travel in the front absorbed it just fine, but the 4" of travel in the rear was not quite enough. Dented one side of the rim. It never affected the balance of the tire or anything else, just gave a little vibration if I went over 80 mph. I just used that as my "tattle-tale" and kept it under 80.