General topics » Only 400 Miles and Already a Bent Wheel

I don't know whether to be more upset with northern WV's deplorable roads or BMW for their soft wheels? Both I guess. Riding homed the other evening in the rain I was avoiding all the holes in the road I could see when I drove over one that I thought was shallow actually turned out to fairly deep. Tire pressure still at 35 so no leak and running up to speed there's no imbalance that I notice so I guess I'll just run it 'til the tire needs replaced then look for someone to straighten it. (Any recommendations?) Lord knows what BMW would want for a new one.

A friend of mine had that happen to the wheel on his 1980's BMW and was able to bang out the dent using a wood block and a big hammer. It might be worth a try. But then BMW wheel rims are harder than they were back then.

That my friend is very dangerous and ultimately one revolution from instant deflation . There is no sense in riding on that

As easy as it bent one way it shouldn't be difficult to bend back but I wouldn't attempt it on an aluminum alloy w/o heat, and really would prefer it be done by a professional.

It's dangerous to ride now?

Clifton
A similar thing happened to me a few years ago albeit in a car.
I photographed the offending hole in the road, the damage to my wheel and sent it with a strongly worded letter to the highways department of the local council.
I did say in the letter that as a motorcyclist if I had hit it it could have caused me to come off the bike.
They eventually paid me compensation to cover the cost of repair.
I would photograph it with a tape measure or ruler in the shot as if you complain first it may get filled in before you can.
Hope it helps
Ian

I fully support what Sherlock suggests in the last post, photo’s of the pothole and the wheel and send a strong email to the highways authority.
As for the “soft” wheel, I’d rather see a visible dent than an invisible crack....and that’s probably what you would get with a stronger rim material. Hidden cracks are a true worry as they always propagate due to cyclical stresses on dynamic components such as wheels - the outcome can be catastrophic and unpredictable.

Zitat von Clifton im Beitrag #4

---

As easy as it bent one way it shouldn't be difficult to bend back but I wouldn't attempt it on an aluminum alloy w/o heat, and really would prefer it be done by a professional.

It's dangerous to ride now?

---

Zitat von Sherlock im Beitrag #5

---

Clifton
A similar thing happened to me a few years ago albeit in a car.
I photographed the offending hole in the road, the damage to my wheel and sent it with a strongly worded letter to the highways department of the local council.
I did say in the letter that as a motorcyclist if I had hit it it could have caused me to come off the bike.
They eventually paid me compensation to cover the cost of repair.
I would photograph it with a tape measure or ruler in the shot as if you complain first it may get filled in before you can.
Hope it helps
Ian

---

Good advice. I will need to file for reimbursement through WV Court of Claims which takes anywhere between 6-12 months and supposedly they only reimburse for my insurance deductible.

I used these guys for very similar damage to the front wheel on my K bike. Their website sucks but they did a nice job and were reasonably priced. When finished you could not tell it was ever bent. I'd be hesitant to go after it with a hammer. Wouldn't take much to give them a call.

http://www.framestraightsystem.com/MotorcycleWheelRepair.htm

Thanks jetpiolet. I texted Woodies but haven't heard back. I'll call these guys tomorrow.

Yep, looks very familiar. I was a bit lucky and San Francisco muni was kind enough to buy me a new wheel, but granted this was a few years ago and a different BMW. But definitely post a claim. And agree would believe this is a very real safety issue, not fun when a front tire lets go at speed.

Same thing happened to me on my RS last year. This wheels are soft. Parts, labor, out the door was $1,400; rim alone is $,1200! Still have the old rim, been meaning to send it out to be straightened as a spare or turn into a clock or cool coffee table.

I don't recommend it, and this was against the advice of a few wise board members on the old forum, I probably put over 3,000 miles on it before replacing.

Got a quote Woodies Wheel Works to straighten, $160-$250 depending on overall damage. Both sides are dented in my case so I'm guessing closer to $250. Plus maybe $100 for shipping ($50 each way.)

They did say I can still ride "just keep an eye it because it's likely to get worse the more it's ridden on." Being already August now I think I'll just ride it locally then send it off at the end of the season (unless I see it getting worse). I have other bikes to ride if needed.

ouch bet you felt that one, I think I live in the pothole capital of the UK in Surrey. I'm sure others will disagree but I have had to buy a new front wheel for both of our cars, no point messing around with damage that bad. I made sure my old wheels were disposed of, but, you know what others would do.....sell the old wheel on ebay!!