F800GS Front Rims Fix or Replace

C

Cathulu

Guest
Hi

First post. Anyways, I was on last years newb ride at the end of the season, and i have been getting to know my F800GS.

I went for a ride with a buddy on his KLR 650 last week on the FSR out Squamish way (saw another F800GS and KLR pair funny enough) and bent my front rim. The wheel appears true, I don't notice any handling oddities, but the flange is bent in a couple of places from hitting rocks in pot holes when I was going probably too fast for my bike.

Does anybody know where I can get the rims fixed? Can I just bend them back myself?

Alternately, I will replace the rims with Excel or something else a bit stronger, and maybe narrower. Anybody know who can order parts and build-up the replacement rim on my hubs?

I am on the North Shore so close to me is better...

Many thanks in advance for any and all responses...
 
C

Cathulu

Guest
No reponses... so I will respond :)

Just an update in case anybody else has this problem...

I called a lot of the local MC dealers and asked around, and they basically can't repair the rim. Not only that, they only seem to be able to get the stock OEM 2.15 x 21 rim or the Touratech 2.15 x 21 rim / spoke in the catalog (Excel rim). There is very little capacity to build-up custom wheels in Vancouver it would seem, like if I wanted to build-up a 1.85 x 21 rim for my bike.

The good thing is that Greens Automotive in Richmond can repair motorcycle rims. There is another automobile rim repair shop that can do it in Surrey also I think. So I got my rim restraightened for $100 and they did a great job. Not perfect, but then I think it would be very difficult to bring a rim back to original condition. Now they removed my front brake rotors to do the job, and I asked them to leave them off as I wanted to re-install them to make sure it was done right.

I think to get a custom wheel I will have to go to Woodys Wheelworks in Denver, Colorado. For around $800 bucks plus tax and shipping I think I can get a front wheel rim, spokes and hubs built-up the way I want it. Not bad considering my carbon fibre bicycle wheels were more expensive than that.

There seems to be an opportunity for someone to start a wheel shop in Canada.

Anyways, hope this helps someone in future.
 
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tomcycle

tomcycle

Past President DSBC 2004 -2018
Staff member
For my G650X I used Buchanans in California

Both front and rear custom Sun Rims with new SS spokes 800.00 for both

I cut the old rim and spokes off and shipped the hubs and got them back in a week, Very happy with the job done

Picture of bike with new rims
 
ktmken

ktmken

New member
It looks like the gs800's have the same soft rims that the ktm 950 have/had.



I got a new wheel built from Woodys Wheel Works in Colorado.
I just cut all my spokes off and sent the hub down , just like Tom did.
I have been using the new excel x 1.85 rim for 4 years now and I have no dents.



Some people have taken a big hammer and some blocks of wood and hammered the rim into some resemblance of the stock rim, other people have used a press.

I also went with heavier springs in the forks and softer valving which is supposed to help.

Nice bike you have (I put 5 or 6 hundred kilometers on one like yours)

KTMKen
 
C

Cathulu

Guest
Yes, that photo looked like my rim - but I had three of those... and a couple of little dents.

Thanks for the other options.

I had a good run today up Squamish way on the FSR. Got the new Heidenaus, the last years front and the new 2011 scout 150/70-17 rear. Didn't get the rear mounted up yet (gonna spoon that on myself) but the front is working good - even got no complaints on the street. But I think in the rain the front is going to be the weak link.

Thanks again.
 
250ccforme

250ccforme

Member
Do any of you know if MC wheel building is like bicycle wheels where every different hub/rim combo needs different spokes. Or would the spokes be the same for any 21-1.65 (or any size rim as long as it's the same size as the one being replaced) provided the hub was unchanged.
 
C

Cathulu

Guest
I believe it is very similar to building bike wheels... I don't think the rim manufacturers have standardized to anything. It is not a large industry like bicycles, and those rims are all different also. Otherwise why cut your spokes and ship the hub solo?
 
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tomcycle

tomcycle

Past President DSBC 2004 -2018
Staff member
Cathulu said:
I believe it is very similar to building bike wheels... I don't think the rim manufacturers have standardized to anything. It is not a large industry like bicycles, and those rims are all different also. Otherwise why cut your spokes and ship the hub solo?
Click to expand...

No one will want to work with your old spokes, as they do not know their condition. Shipping is really cheap for hubs

If you have the time try and fix yourself, order the pre drilled wheel.
 
Jeckyll

Jeckyll

Member
Buddie said:
I work at a tire shop and we send out wheels for repair on a daily basis to Panther Machine. (http://www.pantherwheels.ca/)
They are really good and very helpfull.
Click to expand...

I know that from the car side, panther has an excellent reputation. I think in this case, even if you were able to straighten the bent rim, you'd still have a rim that is too soft for the job after. :)
 
D

Dax420

New member
How bad is it to run on a dented rim like that? Mine has a slight flat spot, not as bad as the one pictured on the first page, but still visibly flat on one side. I've never noticed a problem while riding but now I'm wondering if it's a ticking time bomb or just a cosmetic blemish?
 
ktmken

ktmken

New member
Dax420 said:
How bad is it to run on a dented rim like that? Mine has a slight flat spot, not as bad as the one pictured on the first page, but still visibly flat on one side. I've never noticed a problem while riding but now I'm wondering if it's a ticking time bomb or just a cosmetic blemish?
Click to expand...

As far as I am concerned, it is just a cosmetic blemish. I rode mine for quite a while with the rim like it was in the picture with no problems

Ktmken
 
Jeckyll

Jeckyll

Member
ktmken said:
As far as I am concerned, it is just a cosmetic blemish. I rode mine for quite a while with the rim like it was in the picture with no problems

Ktmken
Click to expand...

I had one on the KLR and put over 20,000 km on the rim "post dent".
 
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