Cracked Rim, fixable or replace

The rear wheel on my VFR has a tiny pinhole leaking crack near where one of the 5 spokes meets the rim.
I knew the rim had a dent when I bought it but it seemed to hold air well, when I had the rear tire replaced it tested fine but now has a very slow leak.

I didn't like the fact that it was bent but now with a leak i'm not happy with it at all.
Are there any options besides replacement, could it be welded and rebalanced?

Also, anyone know any good places other than Ebay and Honda ($497 new) to get wheels?

 

Replace it. A friend of mine repairs wheels and will fix things I thought were unfixable, but not cracks or holes and for good reason. I do see them pop up on Craigslist from time to time. Good luck.

 

I believe if you can find the hole, welding it would be fine. If it were mine, I'd even be inclined to use JB weld or another good epoxy, but that me.

YMMV
Robert

 

My bones, skin and life are worth more than $500. If you search ebay and craigs list you should be able to find one for half that price(replace it!). Even if the repair holds you dont want something like a catasrophic wheel failure in the back of your head while you ride. Also if the rim had an impact hard enough to bend the rim and crack a stud there may be other damage that can not be seen yet...

 

This guy claims he can fix them better the OEM.

Motorcycle Wheel Repair, Before and After Pictures + Video

Larry
VFRrider

 

Not for me thanks. The cost of the repair is sure to be near what a used one costs, I have a damaged gen 5 wheel in my garage and it was 200 to repair. Still have it just on the off chance I want to repair it , but it is not cracked. No ,at that point I say chuck it and get another one, not a thing I want f'n with my head while out riding.:crazy:

 

Sorry but IMO there's no such thing as a repair that's better than OEM and it ain't gonna be his ass riding on that repair. Replace the rim, please.

 

I just won a couple auctions and will soon have a new set of OEM wheels with nearly new metzlers and stock brake rotors for $350 inc/shipping.
Ebay saves the day.
I was quoted $480 at dealer cost for each wheel, or $450 to have just the rear repaired.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...eName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:MOTORS:1123#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...418376&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

 

Good to hear, Jim.
I was gonna say replace it as well.

 

now you can keep your hair as well as all your skin ....

 

i would fix it

 

I figure I'll put my askew wheels up for sale once the replacements arrive and try to get a few bones for them.

The front isn't very messed at all, holds air fine but does have a small bulge from the side. The rear though obviously needs to be fixed, but the repair isn't major, the weld would just be a dot since the crack isn't even visible and the bulge has no kinks or notches, just a gentle curve.

I'm just glad I didn't have to spend a fortune on these since the valves will need an adjustment this winter and I'm pretty strapped for cash at the moment.