Front Wheel Replacement

[Shinysideup]

California freeway pothole got my front wheel today. A light pucker in the rim. Tire still holds air. But I really don't want to mess around with cast aluminum, at least on a front wheel.

Anybody know how to specify our specific 17" x 3.5" Marchesini wheel? And a good place for purchase?

Marchesini website has a configurator, but, surprise, doesn't include Brammo!

[vtbrammorider]

California freeway pothole got my front wheel today. A light pucker in the rim. Tire still holds air. But I really don't want to mess around with cast aluminum, at least on a front wheel.

Anybody know how to specify our specific 17" x 3.5" Marchesini wheel? And a good place for purchase?

Marchesini website has a configurator, but, surprise, doesn't include Brammo!

The victory website has replacement wheels in their service section.  The front wheel should be common (the rear changes). 

I haven't tested it yet but I'm pretty sure the 160 rear will fitt too.

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[Richard230]

There are some companies that will repair aluminum motorcycle wheels and they guarantee their work.  You might want to search the internet for such a service near you. 

I have a friend who dented his BMW motorcycle's cast aluminum front wheel 20 years ago and a local mechanic hammered out the fairly large bend in the wheel using a hammer and block of wood.  It has been holding air ever since.  A more specialized wheel-repair company could no doubt do a much better job.   

New wheels are not cheap.  Expect to pay at least $1000 for a new wheel and who knows how long you will have to wait to receive it? Having the wheel repaired could save you a lot of money and time and still be as safe as a new one. It is worth checking out. 

[Shinysideup]

Thanks, Richard. I used a block of wood and a hammer and got the bulge most of the way back in. The rim edge is about 1/8" away from the tire for about 1.5 inches in length.

Then I read in online forums that one should NEVER pound on cast aluminum/magnesium wheels. The thinking is that this metal only likes to be bent once and that hammering can degrade the crystalline structure, possibly leading to a catastrophic failure.

Part of me wants to just keep riding: no air leak and no vibration.

The other part wants to play it safe and not worry about a blowout on my front end.

[Richard230]

Well Shinyside, I bet there is a wheel repair specialist or two in the Bay Area. You should have them check out your wheel and see if they can repair it.  I have heard of several people over the years who pounded out their aluminum rims and apparently never had a problem with a wheel or tire failure, including my friend. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to get the advice of an expert.

I seem to recall that I saw an ad recently for a motorcycle wheel repair company.  I have a feeling that I saw the business-card size ad in the classified ad section (on the last pages) of the latest City Bike magazine (which would now be lining my bird's cage, if I still had any birds, or the magazine).