Wheel Corrosion

[Nessism]

Front wheel on my '82 850 was loosing a little air which I figured was from the valve stem. Made the mistake of drilling out the valve stem holes a while back to fit more commonly available automotive valve stems - NEVER do this! Get the proper small diameter motorcycle valve stem. At any rate, pulled off the tire and tubeless valve stem and saw some black corrosion pits around the valve stem hole. Took my xacto knife and starting digging at the black corrosion deposits...and digging...and digging. Darn deposits are a good 3 mm deep into the metal! No wonder the stupid wheel leaked air.

I'm thinking this wheel is junk but not sure. Can the pits be welded up? Could grind out all the corrosion and fill with epoxy also I suppose.

Used wheels are about $75 shipped on ebay - might be the easy way out. Stupid wheel only has 4000 miles on it though and looks pretty. Hate to ditch it but not sure.

Thoughts?

.

[TheCafeKid]

What year is that wheel Ed? I have a spare 81 style I'd sell ya for less if you're interested. However, I think epoxy would likely do the trick. I have a wheel here, spoked, that someone coated the inside all the way around with some sort of epoxy or resin type material. Its held on pretty good (wouldnt try going tubeless tho..heheh) Anyway, if you want that wheel lemme know.

[tkent02]

Thoughts?

.

inner tube?

[Nessism]

inner tube?

Never thought of that.

Josh, the wheel is a second generation cast wheel - not the typical star type.

Took my dremmel to the corrosion and dang, it's even deeper than I thought. There are pits that go way in there.

Anyone ever use that aluminum solder material that melts with a torch? Epoxy will most likely work and I could always dig it out if it doesn't. Just hate to see the bike without the wheel on it.

[TheCafeKid]

I would try sanding the lip of the pits down just a bit, or polishing them rather, then try the inner tube thing. I think thats a great idea and a way to salvage an otherwise fine wheel..

[Nessism]

Those dang pits go a good 5mm deep, maybe more. It's almost as if they are casting inclusions which got uncovered...which maybe they are. Don't know. Going to try the epoxy repair method. Nothing to loose. Could always install the tube...that's plan B...until I can find a proper wheel. If anyone has one I put a Wanted ad in the Parts forum.

[TheCafeKid]

Looks to me like where moisture in the wheel/tire gathered and leached out slowly. Alu doenst rust but it will oxidize and pit, somewhat rapidly with constant exposure to moisture, and there is always moisture in your tires.

[GavinJuice]

That's what Nitrogen prevents.

[rapidray]

Ed, get a tube of Threebond 1207B & just put some of that over the bad area & put a new stem in! It won't leak anymore, PROMISE! Ray.

[Nessism]

Ed, get a tube of Threebond 1207B & just put some of that over the bad area & put a new stem in! It won't leak anymore, PROMISE! Ray.

Too late Ray, I've got epoxy drying in there right now. Those pits were a good 5mm deep after I ground out all the black corrosion and I don't trust a gasket sealer type product to hold up. Thanks anyway for the suggestion.

Ed

[hikermikem]

It's almost as if they are casting inclusions which got uncovered...which maybe they are.

My guess? Aluminum + steel + moisture = galvanic corrosion.

I think the expoxy will work beautifully.

[Steve]

That's what Nitrogen prevents.

Only if you totally evacuate all the air after seating the beads, then refill it with 100% Nitrogen.

I have not seen anyone do that yet.

.

[Nessism]

Epoxy job looks good. Took a rat tale file and dressed down the repair area so it's flush with the rest of the wheel. Slammed the tire back on and it's sealing well for now. Going to monitor the pressure loss to see how it holds. Debated sealing the inside of the wheel with epoxy paint but decided not to; just going to keep on the look out for a new wheel.

[Matchless]

[quote=Nessism;889983]Front wheel on my '82 850 was loosing a little air which I figured was from the valve stem. Made the mistake of drilling out the valve stem holes a while back to fit more commonly available automotive valve stems - NEVER do this! Get the proper small diameter motorcycle valve stem. At any rate, pulled off the tire and tubeless valve stem and saw some black corrosion pits around the valve stem hole. Took my xacto knife and starting digging at the black corrosion deposits...and digging...and digging. Darn deposits are a good 3 mm deep into the metal! No wonder the stupid wheel leaked air.

Thoughts?
.
/quote]

Well, just put in a tube and you should be OK. It is possible to weld it up and redrill