wheel/drum damage - replace or OK?

[Guest]

*sigh*

I think I'm going to stop working on the bike for a week or so - it's getting me depressed. First the tank hole and now this: my new tire arrived today, and the new rear wheel bearings should be here tomorrow or Friday. I went to beat out the old bearings, and the hammer slipped and chipped the drum a bit. It really doesn't look bad, as the damage was to the drum lip and barely infringes upon the braking area - maybe 1 mm or so on some of the low spots. Wondering what any opinions are if this is still a usable wheel or if I should ditch it and find another?

Add to that, I ordered two type 6303 bearings, only to discover that this wheel takes one 6303 and one 6203. No bearing shop nearby that I know of. My local Suzuki dealer could special order one, or maybe Jim the motorcycle guy has one he'd be willing to part with.

Finally got that motor running great, and now it seems like actually RIDING the bike is a more elusive goal.

[Nessism]

I think that wheel is junk. Good thing is that wheels are generally pretty cheap though. Did you check the parts for sale forum yet? ebay? I recently picked up a rear wheel for only $9 off ebay...or course it cost me $25 to ship.

[reddirtrider]

Don't beat bearings in and out, use a press. They're cheap, or maybe someone near you has one you can use for a few minutes.

As for the wheel, it's hard to see from the pic. If it's not real bad maybe you can take a die grinder to it and take the edges off the chip.

[almarconi]

Try to dress the area using a file or dremel tool, remove any sharp areas. Install the brake shoes and see how they work. It doesn't look all that bad but its kind of hard to tell from the picture.

[mike_of_bbg]

I think it would have been OK, but a used wheel on eBay only set me back another $50 shipped - which seems like just a drop in the bucket at this point. (granted, they're becoming painful drops) I don't think regular braking would have been affected at all. The bigger risk in my mind was that the linings or shoes might hit the edges of the gap and cause the rear wheel to lock. Also with that ring already crumbling - how long until more chunks break off and are floating around in my drum?