Return of the Curse of the Son of ... Wheel Rims!

[rodent]

...part II.

Ok, sorry to go over old ground, but there was something I was hoping that someone on here would have experience with.

I've got a '91 RD04 which has started to succumb to the dreaded rim rot. (web.rodentia.org.uk/wheels)

I got a few quotes for a blast and powder coat and rebuild, but in the end decided to force open the wallet and get brand new rims and spokes built onto the hubs by a local expert.

Now, I knew that the rear 2.75 inch rim might be a problem, so wasn't upset when the builder said he would have to use a 3.00; fine, thinks me.

However, he just rang and said he was on the phone ordering said rim when the suppliers said "oh, we don't have those anymore. And we aren't getting any, either."



However, he can get a 3.50 inch rear. So...

Does anyone here know if a 3.50 inch width rear will actually fit ok on an RD04? Has anyone on here actually done it? If so, what size tyres do you use?

I didn't actually measure it before I took the wheels off, but I seem to remember quite a lot of clearance either side of the swinging arm, so I think it should be fine in that respect.

Also, I'm fairly sure I've read about RD07's with a 3.50 inch rear, and found this post about an RD03:

17 x 3.50 rim on AT?

So that's about it. Any one with prior experience, or even just thoughts, ideas, wild conjecture or amusing insults welcomed.

ta,

Rodent.

[Roadcat]

Have a careful think about clearance on the exhaust. I put an over-width tyre on an xt500 which then proceeded to melt as the sidewall was somewhat too close to the exhaust. Fortunately the smell of burning rubber alerted me to the problem before I the inevitable blowout happened.

[kitped]

Hi Rodent,

I'm thinking of having the rims powder coated and re-spoked on my RD03, not that they are corroded just fancy a nice set of shiny black rims and stainless spokes.

Just wondering what sort of quotes you had back for doing this?

Thanks

Jason

[rodent]

Sure!

Of course, YMMV, they may claim something different, and I did only ask for a rough price, so you'd best check yourself to be sure, but so far...

First up, http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/ - they quoted:

2x Rim blast & powdercoat £70.50
2x Hub blast & powdercoat £70.50?
2x Wheel re-builds using polished stainless steel spokes including nickel plated brass nipples £170.00
1x Postage and packaging £20.00

I think the ? next to hubs is because I didn't actually ask about hubs, just rims. But they added it as well, in case I was interested.


Next, http://www.realitymotorworks.com/ - they said:

To strip and rebuild the wheels with stainless steel spokes, £95 per wheel.
To powdercoat the rims, £25 each.
To powdercoat the hubs £20 each.

I did ask them about blasting the rims, and they didn't mention it in their reply. It might be included as part of the "strip and rebuild" or not. I was going to ask for more info if I went with them, but didn't in the end. Also no postage quoted, I assume they will want some money for that, too!

Finally, http://www.excelsiorbikes.co.uk/ - they replied with:

Stainless steel spoke sets - £45 per set
Labour to strip build and true - £30 per wheel
Powder coating - £30 per rim.
Your hubs can also be powder coated in either the same or contrasting colour £20 each

P&P if require is around £17 for a pair of wheels – insured.

Again, no mention of any kind of blasting prior to powser coating - of course, if your wheels aren't in bad nick then you wouldn't need that anyway, so that might not be an issue for you.

Hope that helps.

[kitped]

Hi Rodent,

Many thanks for the info, gives me a great start and heads-up as to what I need to budget.

[cabbage2404]

I've got Morad rims on my RD03, had them for a couple of years now, and the rear is a 3.5". No problems with stock 130 rear tyre whatsoever.

[rodent]

Excellent, that's two RD03's - and have a look at the 'fiche on the tech data page seems to suggest that the rear wheels and swinging arms, etc, of the RD03 and RD04 were practically identical. Anyone out there know if that is the case for sure?

All told it's very encouraging - it'd be nice to hear from some other RD04 owners but you can't have everything. [1]

Cheers all,

Rodent.

[1] Where would you keep it?

[AIRWOLF]

A few years ago i bought an old XR600 from a guy in Holland (i work over there sometimes).
Anyway, to the point, while there i was admiring his collection of restored (and still used) classic MX bikes, particularly one he was just re-assembling, i mentioned the cost of wheel rebuilds, he just smiled and explained they were'nt rebuilt but bead blasted and powder coated (clear) as a complete unit.
the finish was excellent, and most of his wheels were done like this .
he reasoned that the wheels where unlikely need spoke tensioning again unless the rim was damaged, so then it would need a new rim and rebuild anyway.
This is an option i would certainly consider to smarten up a wheel if the only issue was the appearance of an otherwise sound wheel.
obviously hub, spokes and rim have to be the same colour.

just another option for you to consider.

[rodent]

just another option for you to consider.

Thanks, and that's very good idea - if the wheels were in good condition I would seriously consider it.

It's what I should have done when I bought the bike a couple of years ago, then I wouldn't be having this problem now.

Cheers,
--
Rodent.