Rims

[oggy]

I am now the proud owner of a 94 TA, and have been titivating it a little before I ride in anger anywhere. The only thing that bothers me a little is the condition of the gold anodized rear wheel rim. It is pitted all over - but not deep, and no obvious cracks or weakness around the spoke nipples. Reading various posts this seems to be an inherent weakness of the bike and there are various methods of curing the fault no doubt. However, being a tight wad Northerner, has anyone any comments to make about the following (cheap!) preventative method.

Before it gets any worse

Coat inside of rim with Bitumastic or similar to prevent internal corrosion
Seal up valve better- grommett or rubber seal
Polish up a little on the outside to relieve any stress raisers in the pits, and to act as a key for -
Spray Paint - using PlastiKote metalflake or similar. The purple one is a very close match for my decal colours!

[LazyRider]

If they are gold anodized aluminum rims, you will have a problem painting them. The anodizing is very hard and is difficult to paint over even if an etch primer is used. Are you quite sure they are aluminum rims?

[Dilbert]

Oggy
They are almost certainly alu rims, but I take Lazyriders point the anodising is hard to paint, but if you're going to key the surface with emery cloth then you should get the paint to stick, you will probably need a special primer and there's no saying how long it will last.
Same Issue on the ATs and a lot of people seem to have the wheels stripped and powdercoat the rims, but be honest, do they really need doing just yet?

[LazyRider]

If they are anodized aluminum, rubbing down will not cut through the anodizing and it will be almost impossible to do a permanent job. Why not go for a more simple 'decorative' approach.

Clean the wheels then give them a wipe with cellulose thinners, then using a small sponge dipped in yellow aluminum etch primer, wipe it round the rims. With any luck the primer will stick to the black bits where the anodizing has broken down and not to the good bits.

I would not worry too much about structural strength, loose spokes will tell their own story before disaster strikes.