Author Topic: Rim dilemna (Read 2537 times)

zxshep · « **on:** December 19, 2020, 03:23:13 PM »

Hello everyone. I took my rear wheel to the shop to have the new tire mounted and balanced.

The interior of the rim had a lot of rust and corrosion and the shop didn't want to do anything with it until it was addressed or replaced.

I have wire brushed it and inspected it. The chrome outer surface looks good all around and I can't detect any problem areas. All spokes are tight and have a good "ting" to them.

So, I am wrestling with what to do to move forward. Maybe get the inner rim sandblasted and then paint it to stop anymore rusting and protect? Or do I spring for some new rims, spokes, and nipples - along with getting the hubs hydro-blasted? I hadn't budgeted for that kind of cost. I suspect the front is in the same condition.

Anyone have the same situation? What did you do?

Any recommendations?

Thanks. I appreciate any input.

BPellerine · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2020, 04:00:49 PM »

get it clean and paint with rust paint and put a new rim tape on it

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2020, 04:17:29 PM »

Quote from: BPellerine on December 19, 2020, 04:00:49 PM

get it clean and paint with rust paint and put a new rim tape on it

+1 to this. Remember you will be pressing up a tube against that rim. But, if you are satisfied (some photos would help), and they still hassle you; go somewhere else. Some shops just don’t want to see old bikes (or people that enjoy doing some of their own work)!

jlh3rd · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2020, 06:39:17 PM »

Quote from: BPellerine on December 19, 2020, 04:00:49 PM

get it clean and paint with rust paint and put a new rim tape on it

por 15...

ekpent · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2020, 06:37:55 AM »

I use a wire wheel mounted to a drill to clean the rust and shag off the inside of a rim.Eye protection and gloves recommended. A coat of sealer/paint after. I always wondered if shops changing tires especially on project bikes where no one has peeked in there for a long time ever clean that area up. Your shop may look at the old rusty rim as a possible legal liability issue and not want to mess or be involved with it.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2020, 08:29:20 AM »

If it's not too bad, elbow grease will get most of the loose stuff off. You can then use Ospho to arrest the rusting, prime it and paint it with good paint.
The best paint would be POR15

carefree · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2020, 09:10:22 AM »

Quote from: BPellerine on December 19, 2020, 04:00:49 PM

get it clean and paint with rust paint and put a new rim tape on it

And change your own tires, pretty easy and why pay for something you can do yourself.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2020, 03:40:22 PM »

yup, tire shops that know old bikes realize this situation is very common and deal with it...I realize lots of areas in the U.S. have a shortage of vintage friendly shops.

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2020, 03:53:00 PM »

a shop i happen to stop by, put duct tape on the rim and a new tube......no problem

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2020, 06:45:11 PM »

Quote from: carefree on December 20, 2020, 09:10:22 AM

Quote from: BPellerine on December 19, 2020, 04:00:49 PM
get it clean and paint with rust paint and put a new rim tape on it
And change your own tires, pretty easy and why pay for something you can do yourself.

+1 to “do it yourself”.

PeWe · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2020, 11:36:53 PM »

If doing it yourself, make sure the tire irons have no sharp corners. My irons had which ended up in pinched tubes.

I grinded the sharp corners to rounded radius.

05c50 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2020, 07:00:57 AM »

I think that everyone is missing the point, the shop may be doing you a favor. I have seen spoked wheels split because of rust that went unnoticed. A friend of mine came back from a long trip and said that he heard something rubbing from the rear tire. When we looked at the tire we could see that the sidewall was rubbing the swing arm....and then we saw the split in the wheel! The wheel split between 5 spokes. The shop that you took the wheel to may be pricks and just don't like working on old stuff, but I would spend some time cleaning up the rust and closely inspecting the wheel. Most likely there's no problem, but it's worth the time checking it out. Just my 2 cents

....Paul

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2020, 07:13:48 AM »

Paul....All good points. A few photos would help?

PeWe · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2020, 09:20:08 AM »

About rims that look good...
When I restored my K6 I started to clean bike.
Rims looked fine after 22 years long storage (20 in barns), spokes rust that could be polished. DID rims that replaced stock 1983.

I used my Kärcher pressure washer cleaning the rims when chrome flaked off in rather big flakes as metal foil. New rims and spokes added to the list.

Under the good looking chrome it might be something bad.

zxshep · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2020, 11:21:02 AM »

Thanks for the input everyone. The shop was helpful and was interested in helping me out. I appreciated them stopping and calling my attention to it.

I bought a wire wheel and will be going to town on it to clean it up. After that I will give it another good inspection and decide if I will seal it up or replace everything but the hub.

As for changing my tires, I know how to do it and have done it in the past on my mx bikes. I don't have the setup/weights to balance it, so I thought I'd support my local shop and have them do it instead of buying everything needed and have it sit for another 5 years or so.

Thanks, again. I'll post how it turns out.

zxshep · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2020, 03:11:03 PM »

Before pics

zxshep · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2020, 03:12:10 PM »

zxshep · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2020, 03:12:58 PM »

zxshep · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2020, 03:13:46 PM »

After wire wheel pics

zxshep · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2020, 03:14:56 PM »

#2 and 3

zxshep · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2020, 03:26:26 PM »

As she sits right now.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2020, 04:37:17 PM »

Quote from: zxshep on December 21, 2020, 03:26:26 PM

As she sits right now.

Nice looking motorcycle! You did a great job on cleaning that rim. Truthfully, I would think about changing it out, but since you did so muchwork, probably use it another time. A nice brush coat of grey rust preventative paint wouldn’t do any harm (on the inside, all out of sight). And a new rim tape. Good luck.

Cahababum · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2020, 07:35:50 PM »

I have a rim similar to this.. I decided to replace the rim. I know others have ran worse on their bikes but I didn’t want to take a chance with it.

scottly · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2020, 07:43:44 PM »

Quote from: zxshep on December 21, 2020, 03:14:56 PM

#2 and 3

That rim is toast.

PeWe · « **Reply #24 on:** December 21, 2020, 10:11:07 PM »

Some nipples are too low, going thru the rim?

Alan F. · « **Reply #25 on:** December 22, 2020, 06:59:17 AM »

How positive can you be without tearing it down to see?

Don R · « **Reply #26 on:** December 22, 2020, 10:20:38 PM »

4 into 1 has the original type DID rims for $160 and spokes for $40 approx. That's a set of two. The difference is new ones have numbers stamped under the chrome. Obviously around a hundred for either end.

zxshep · « **Reply #27 on:** December 23, 2020, 05:41:12 AM »

I did a little more cleaning on the rim and went ahead and painted it with rust-converting paint to seal it. I checked/inspected the rim before painting and couldn't find any thin spots or signs of bubbling chrome on the outer surface.

I am going to get the tire mounted today and go with it for now. At least I'll be able to move the bike around and get it outside to try firing it up and work on other things. In the meantime I will save up for some new rims, spokes, nipple, and to get the hubs vapor blasted.

I saw those rims on 4into1. The ones listed for the 400f say they are anodized aluminum (and aren't in stock right now), but I don't see any listed that are chromed. Anyone have experience with the 4into1's? Good quality? Almost chrome shine to them? I like the idea of aluminum because I wouldn't have to worry about this happening again. Although, a new set of chromed rims will probably outlast me.

Thanks for everyone's input.

bryanj · « **Reply #28 on:** December 23, 2020, 08:30:49 AM »

Ally corrodes just the same just not into big brown lumps!!

flybackwards · « **Reply #29 on:** December 23, 2020, 09:57:06 AM »

My two cents worth - with that much rust on the inside I would be looking for a new rim or better used one. It could be weak in spots and break under load - like hitting a good bump. Yep I know - more work; more money...

PeWe · « **Reply #30 on:** December 23, 2020, 10:15:02 AM »

Is it the tire mounting lubricant that help the rust?
If using water mixed with soap or similar.

I use tire lube which hopefully not contain as much water.
Paint the rims inside before rust occur?

I have painted all my wheels with did rims where the weld is. It is a very roughly grinded with sharp almost burrs around rhe weld.
I had to grind smoother finally painted with paint I had, engine paint rattle can which filled the harsh area

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #31 on:** December 23, 2020, 01:05:26 PM »

Good plan. If in the future you decide to load the bike up for a cross continent tour, replace it.

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Author Topic: Rim dilemna (Read 2537 times)