cracked rear rim

[dcstrom]

Hey guys and girls, 74,000 miles into our RTW trip (85000 total miles) and found this crack in the rim this morning. I could have been there for some time, I dunno. So looking for the best way to fix it - it could be welded I think but I'm in Morocco now and heading east to Turkey/Iran/Pakistan soon, so whatever I do to fix, I want it to be reliable. Maybe welding would work, but what if this is just the first of a number of stress fractures, and this keeps happening?

Probably a new rim is the way to go - but considering my location, it might be difficult to find something. Heading back to France in a few weeks. I guess it has to be a new rim... what are my options? Checking with Woody, but I know he's not cheap and I have to factor in shipping. Maybe try to find a second-hand wheel?

Tabasco... I probably have to get this welded as a short-term fix, any tips?

 

[~TABASCO~]

I'm going to say no, replace.... IMOP, if you could find an aero space welder they could do it, but probably not your average 'Joe' with a TIG... The lip will collapse and the spoke hole will fall in.. You would need to loosen the other spokes near this broken one so it doesn't pull the center 'lip' all out of whack. When you go to re tighten them, there is a good chance it will crack and fail because the weld will harden the aluminum and become more brittle..

In this case, I would say, keep an eye on it and replace it as soon as you can.. Keep a close eye on the eyelets next to the broken one. It could stress the adjoining ones and its possible to have a wheel failure...


From the brake side: it looks like the crack is about to propagate to the next rear hole.. Probably not long before you loose that chunk of aluminum between the spokes. keep a close eye on it..

 

[Andylaser]

Are you using standard spokes? IIRC Old Git Ray had a similar issue on his heavily loaded S10. But he had fitted stainless spokes which turned out to have less flex than the standard ones and led to his wheel breaking.

 

[becoyote]

I had a spoke (oem) brake this same spot. Broke the lip off, didn't just crack it. I had a local but skilled welder build it back up and drill a new hole. Worked out fine in my opinion. Maybe grinding the lip down to the crack and having the entire lip built back up with welding.

 

[yz454]

Find a Tig and you will be fine . I would not have a problem with one spoke gone just stay on the adjustments .

 

[Checkswrecks]

Find a Tig and you will be fine . I would not have a problem with one spoke gone just stay on the adjustments .

For the archive, this is an option for us on mostly paved roads and with resources available. It is not a good idea for this case. I firmly believe in replacement for this one.

Trevor's bike is probably the fleet leader in dirt and rocky road miles. His wheels have been beat more than anybody's. It's been through a traffic accident. He is living on the bike and carrying a heavy load In a round the world trip. The quality of welding aluminum with quality and without inducing stress in an uncontrolled environment is questionable at best, let alone in Morocco.

And he's only done the more civilized half of his trip!

There is no good reason to head off with this to rough roads and small villages in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Cambodia, Thailand, etc. Not when he will have resources available before leaving France.

So while I'd agree with YZ for local use, I do not in this case. Weld it to get to France, and replace it. If no welder is available, we will need to discuss cutting away some flange and using files or and paper to stop the crack from running.

And please post up or PM DCSTROM if you know contact info for the Dutch bike breaker who may have a Tenere or two.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I forgot to mention that the triumph and new Vstrom use a very simmilar rim. You might be able to confirm size and possibly save money from another manufacture. 'Suzuki - Triumph' (same rim manufacture)

 

[Andylaser]

UK Ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-rear-wheel-rim-2010-2011-bnib-P-reduced-/281141471681?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item41755669c1

Dutch Breaker on Ebay. (only lists a front wheel, but might be worth a message)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/arnovankarros/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

[Texasten]

Why not a bit of JB Weld to help hold it together temporarily???

 

[Checkswrecks]

UK Ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-rear-wheel-rim-2010-2011-bnib-P-reduced-/281141471681?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item41755669c1

Dutch Breaker on Ebay. (only lists a front wheel, but might be worth a message)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/arnovankarros/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

Thanks Andy

 

[dcstrom]

Interesting, this looks like almost the exact same location as my crack. Can't tell from this which of those holes were broken, but mine is (I think) the 3rd one before the valve. Coincidence?

I had a spoke (oem) brake this same spot. Broke the lip off, didn't just crack it. I had a local but skilled welder build it back up and drill a new hole. Worked out fine in my opinion. Maybe grinding the lip down to the crack and having the entire lip built back up with welding.

 

[dcstrom]

Thanks Andylaser, pulled the trigger on the UK ebay rim - at US$270 it seemed like the best deal I'm likely to get, and shipping to France from the UK is a bit cheaper than shipping from the US. Now I just have to hope the current wheel holds up till I get back to France, and then find someone who can lace it. It's silver while my stock rims are black - I will just think of it as added bling! At some stage if I have nothing better to do I might paint it, or strip the front one so it matches. In reality, that probably won't happen... mis-matched wheels will add "character".

 

[~TABASCO~]

Good choice. I'm sure you know there are two types of spokes, make sure they are reinstalled correctly. I personally think the miss matched wheels are cool. The new rim will become as famous at you and your bike ! ::024::

 

[Andylaser]

Thanks Andylaser, pulled the trigger on the UK ebay rim - at US$270 it seemed like the best deal I'm likely to get, and shipping to France from the UK is a bit cheaper than shipping from the US.

No worries.
The price did seem pretty reasonable. And the colour mismatch is small beans compared to having a solid & reliable wheel.
Hope the rest of your journey goes well.

 

[Ramseybella]

As far as odd rims I would take the trophy on that!
I met another Tenere owner last year he was dazzled by the Woody's wheel's conversion.
I told him they work well but not after some hardships with the rear 18" rim.
Woody and I worked it out and realized 17" is the way to go on the rear.
Have not had any issues since.

 

[tomatocity]

As far as odd rims I would take the trophy on that!
I met another Tenere owner last year he was dazzled by the Woody's wheel's conversion.
I told him they work well but not after some hardships with the rear 18" rim.
Woody and I worked it out and realized 17" is the way to go on the rear.
Have not had any issues since.

Too much spoke on the 18"???

 

[Ramseybella]

Too much spoke on the 18"???

To much diameter it was rubbing the crotch of my swing arm and putting pressure on the rim to the spokes and started pulling on the inner rim.
Results, cracked rims two of them.
17" is the only rim that will fit.
I respect the concept and it was worthy of a good idea but the 18 didn't work on the tenere.
Woody is a stand up guy! ::008::