A wheely stupid question?

[mainline]

thanks folks, I'm here all week try the veal.

Seriously though, is a cracked rim stuffed no matter what. I've got 2 YZ wheels here with one minor crack on the outside edge of each rim, and wondering whether it's at least possible to repair them or whether it's replacement time. While on the subject why are both cracks in them same place, opposite the valve stem? (ie. on the other side of the rim to the valve stem)

I did say when I introduced myself that questions may be on the dumb side, so be gentle.

[jimson]

I've had alloy wheels welded up before without any problems the problem you might have is finding someone you can trust to do the job.jimson

[Stewart Allen]

I've had them welded &or purchased s/hand crack free rims from a wrecker (Windsor Motorcycle Wreckers, call Ian) Second option best in my opinion.

[Nathan S]

Ah yes, the old DID rims.... They 'always' split on the joins (usually next to the little silver DID sticker) and sometimes in other places.
Check carefully - my 125D's front wheel had literally dozens of cracks in it - some were tiny, some were medium-big.

I've just had a YZ125X rim re-welded, mostly as an experiment. It took a fair bit of time with the die grinder and then the sand-paper to get rid of the big lump of weld on the visible surface, and it still isn't 100% (I just got impatient).
The weld is a slightly different colour than the rest of the rim too - definitely not a problem for a race bike, but probably no good for a lounge-room bike.

Having said all of that, I own an IT rim that's been welded up, and then someone has hit something hard enough to put a big flat-spot in the rim at the weld. The weld has held, so it seems obvious that a good weld is fine.

[mainline]

Thanks guys, money is obviously my issue here. $200 for a new rim plus $120 for new spokes plus $80 to put it all together, x 2 wheels equals more than I paid for the bike, and definately more than I have spare at the moment.

I'll give the welding a go and see if the wheel guy will relace with secondhand spokes as well. After seeing those pics from Nudgee I'm going a bit mental trying to get this thing together so I can ride the thing!!

Cheers

[jimson]

You shouldn't have to D spoke the wheel to get it welded the times I've had mine done I just cleaned the crack   and gave it to the bloke to weld.jimson

[mainline]

ah yes, but despite being a tightarse I still want to paint my hubs all nice and black