Road wheel rim buckled, how to fix?

[LanaTheGreat]

Hi everyone. I have a Yamaha XT350, recently I replaced the tube on the front wheel due to a puncture. When reseating the tyre, I stepped on the rim for inserting the last bit of the tyre. Now when I ride on the bike it has this irritating vibration, and when looking at the front wheel when riding, I can see the wheel is buckled. Is there an easy way to bend it right again (like bending it back into shape using arms and legs)? Then on this same point, my wife has a Kazuma Silverfox 125cc scooter, and the front tyre wears off irregularly on the left-hand side only, even when riding it feels bumpy at higher speeds. The front-brake also makes an irritating squeaking noise when riding slowly. Sorry for this mouthful, but is there anyone with the knowledge on how to fix these problems. Thanks.

[Kickstart]

Hi

There are plenty of people around who can rebuild spoked wheels (eg, Hagon), but not sure how much success you will have trying to straighten one yourself.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[LanaTheGreat]

I am living in South Africa, where do I get a hold of these guys?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Afraid from South Africa I do not know. Postage costs to the UK would be silly.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Cillit-BANG]

Do a search on google for wheel building/trueing.

It is a fine art but the basics can be picked up easily. Basically the spokes create the tension which keeps the rim true. Bending the rim back by brute force will as a result create an area of loose spokes and won't help the problem.

If you look at the wheel, there are spokes which lead off to either side of the hub. Tightening these spokes will pull the rim over to this side of the hub. So trace the spokes back to the hub where the wheel is buckled and tighten those individual nipples (you'll need a spoke/nipple key and are available in different sizes depending on the guage of the spokes).

You need to be carefull though as the wheel is in balance and altering this by tightening certain spokes and not others will have a affect on the overall shape of the wheel. Also, as well as tightening the loose spokes, you may also need to loosen the tight ones. The wheel is in tension to keep the rim straight, but also a true circle and not an egg shape.

As I say, it is quite simple but also quite complicated

Wheel building from scratch is very satisfying. I used to build push bikes wheels and these are even more critical to get right as minute changes at the nipple can affect the whole shape and tension of the wheel. Weight for size etc. a well built mountain bike wheel is one of the strongest manmade structures on earth.

I suspect that there will be a wheel builder in a local town somewhere. You may find that if the rim is actually damaged then no amount of re-tensioning will help.

[hmmmnz]

if you can't find a motorcycle shop in your area to do it, take it to a push bike shop, most mountian bike mechanics know how to rebuild wheels better than alot of motor bike shops,
good luck,
if you want to do it your self have a look herehttps://www.bikewebsite.com/bicycle-wheel-straightening.htm
the theroy is the same is wether its a push bike or motorbike
good luck
____________________
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I kick arse for the lord
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[Paddy Blake]

[LanaTheGreat]

Thank you so much for your responses. I am going to check out that website to see if it will help solve my problem. Does anyone perhaps know what the problem regarding the scooter might be? I was wondering if it could be wheel alignment, as I read on a website while searching the solution that even bikes need wheel alignment (see https://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcnuts/chassis.html for details). I found that quite interesting.

[Walloper]

You can find a Floppy in Soweto will do a fine job on your wheel.
20 Rand. Danke manure Duwus
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[LanaTheGreat]

Heh, and probably I'll get robbed at the same time, and lose the wheel altogether.

[Walloper]

[LanaTheGreat]

I'm closer to the Northern border of the country, close to the Zimbabwe border. I wouldn't stick my head in that place for a million bucks. Just being pale makes you the most hated thing around.

[Walloper]

Coz you is on the land of their ancestors shite......

If everyone was like that then we could kick the English out and take the Oil here for ourself.
But we really like the Pommes sort of..



I used to true the wheels of my mountain bike.
It takes a while no matter what way you do it. It's a labour of love though.
But not too difficult.

You will need to make some kind of Jig to stand the wheel in. And buy a Spoke key. Do not over tighten the nuts or you will make it worserer. Search the net for a HOW DO I?

Good luck with the wheel.
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[LanaTheGreat]

Thanks for all your advice. I did the job myself, and it was easier than I thought. The wheel is running smooth again and I am happy. Thanks.