Rear wheel, brake damage from rock(s). Anyone seen this before?

Moto addict

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Apr 21, 2020
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Greencastle, IN
So here's my story: I purchased a very nice '12 S10 back in April and have been just loving this motorcycle. I bought this bike with the intention of going off pavement whenever possible. After only two months of riding it I managed to find a way to break the rear hub and brake components. I wanted to explore an area along the wide banks of a local creek. After riding through a short trail I came out onto the bank that was covered in rocks that looked like landscaping rocks over sand. The further I rode out, the rear wheel began to sink and bury itself. Thinking this was a bad idea, I aborted and turned around heavy on the throttle so I wouldn't get stuck. It was making God awful noises from the rocks getting churned up. I managed to get out of there and back on the road but heard noise from the rear wheel. I limped it home and to my horror this is what I found: Broken tab on hub, broken caliper bracket, bent brake rotor, bent caliper pins. So I'm guessing a rock or rocks got scooped up by the tabs on the hub and got wedged against the brake caliper. Then the force of that caused everything to break and bend. Needless to say, I'm extremely bummed and in the process of getting parts. So after all that, I'm just wondering if anyone has seen this and also a warning to stay away from deep bottomless rock/sand areas. Maybe this was a fluke but I will not be taking the S10 near that creek bank again. IMG_20200615_174245.jpg
IMG_20200615_223903.jpg
 

bimota

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wow,

the caliper bracket second hand on ebay are 2 a penny but woww the wheel is a big worry

sorry to hear this

rob
 

EricV

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@Moto addict - I would pick up that caliper mount & hub that @bimota pointed you to ASAP. You can't buy just the bracket from Yamaha, only the complete caliper and bracket assembly.

There have been some damage reports in the past, but it's not common. While I'm curious if you've been checking your spokes for tightness, from your pics it looks like brute torque and obstruction was the cause of your damage. Not sure any guard would have helped that, you clearly got some rocks jammed between the wheel and caliper and something had to give.

A good welder could repair the hub and it could be re-machined, but the cost to strip the wheel down and have that done, then re-build the wheel might not be worth it compared to buying a new hub and spoke set or just sending it to Woody's Wheel Works for repair. I'd get a quote from Woody's at the very least. As I'm sure you know, the hubs are expensive.
 

bimota

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@Moto addict - I would pick up that caliper mount & hub that @bimota pointed you to ASAP. You can't buy just the bracket from Yamaha, only the complete caliper and bracket assembly.

There have been some damage reports in the past, but it's not common. While I'm curious if you've been checking your spokes for tightness, from your pics it looks like brute torque and obstruction was the cause of your damage. Not sure any guard would have helped that, you clearly got some rocks jammed between the wheel and caliper and something had to give.

A good welder could repair the hub and it could be re-machined, but the cost to strip the wheel down and have that done, then re-build the wheel might not be worth it compared to buying a new hub and spoke set or just sending it to Woody's Wheel Works for repair. I'd get a quote from Woody's at the very least. As I'm sure you know, the hubs are expensive.
yer agree no guard would of helped there at all, as you say a rock got caught up bad luck that.

rob
 
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ballisticexchris

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Rear caliper breakage is very common damage on any bike taken off road in the rocks. Most dirt bikes have rotor/caliper guards available. The Super Tenere aftermarket does not have anything I know of to protect discs/calipers.
 

WJBertrand

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Wow, I guess I got lucky. I got into a similar situation. I had to turn off the TC in order to get out, I too heard all kinds of awful noises coming from the rear wheel. Once I got out I inspected the area and didn’t see any damage. The bike rode home normally. It wasn’t until I washed it that I discovered the paint (I guess they aren’t anodized?) on the rear wheel was all chipped up. I actually just got around to repainting it a week or so ago.


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ballisticexchris

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I did a search and found a wheel for 650.00 on Ebay. Kind of expensive and beat up. Make him an offer.


Also a full caliper assembly for 120.00

 

Moto addict

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Apr 21, 2020
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Greencastle, IN
Thanks for the responses and suggestions. I was able to get a caliper bracket off ebay for $25. Got a new brake rotor, bearings and caliper guides. Also got a used hub off ebay for $150. So my plan is going to put new bearings in the hub, remove spokes and broken hub from wheel. Re-lace wheel with "new" hub. Take wheel somewhere (probably Yamaha dealer) to have it trued. Then put it all back together and then should be good to go. Two weeks now without the S10 and it's killing me. I still have my cruiser but I enjoy the S10 so much more. :)
 

jrusell

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Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
I have a question. The first photo you posted was that before you took anything apart? The reason I ask is normally the axle sits into the swingarm a few mm. I have never seen an axle sit flush like in your picture unless it was installed incorrectly and the pinch bolt was tightened first.

Axle bolt should be tightened first and the pinch bolt last. This way the shoulder on the axle pushes on the washer which holds caliper bracket tight to the wheel and wheel tight to the left side of the swingarm.

If the pinch bolt is done first there is a gap on the right. Usually when the axle bolt is tightened the gap will close, but you are bending the swingarm in when you do this. If for some reason the gap was not closed a lot of bad things could happen. Wheel speed sensor rotate, brake bracket move in and out and possibly bend the rotor. Also the whole wheel could move side to side.

Hopefully you had loosened the axle before you took that photo and you can just ignore all my comments.
 

Moto addict

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Greencastle, IN
I have a question. The first photo you posted was that before you took anything apart? The reason I ask is normally the axle sits into the swingarm a few mm. I have never seen an axle sit flush like in your picture unless it was installed incorrectly and the pinch bolt was tightened first.

Axle bolt should be tightened first and the pinch bolt last. This way the shoulder on the axle pushes on the washer which holds caliper bracket tight to the wheel and wheel tight to the left side of the swingarm.

If the pinch bolt is done first there is a gap on the right. Usually when the axle bolt is tightened the gap will close, but you are bending the swingarm in when you do this. If for some reason the gap was not closed a lot of bad things could happen. Wheel speed sensor rotate, brake bracket move in and out and possibly bend the rotor. Also the whole wheel could move side to side.

Hopefully you had loosened the axle before you took that photo and you can just ignore all my comments.
Picture was before disassembly. I've only had the bike two months and that is how it was when I got it. I did not notice a gap taking it apart but when I put it back together, I'll be sure to tighten the axle bolt first then the pinch bolt. Thanks for the tip.
 
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