Bent Rim on a New Bike (Pic's included)

[blue tiger]

    I was crossing a 4 line RR crossing today. There was a huge chuckhole next to one of the rails. Bumpy as hell and no way to avoid it. I unweighted the bike as much as I could but that's all there was time for. I wasn't going very fast but I knew it was bent as soon as I hit it. It was an impact. This is the result.





What's my next step here. Can this be fixed? I figured I'd take it to the dealership. If it's a total loss I'm unsure what to do. It was delivered with a scratch on the back rim. The shop manager said he could paint it (and did a great job) but not get a new one as there aren't any gold ones available.?.?.

I know this is an expensive rim and if it's totaled I'm filing a claim on my insurance. I had it up to about 90 a few times on the way home and didn't feel anything unusual. I can't stand the thought of fifling a claim though.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Ths is an 08 S4RS that has 1800 miles on it. It's 2 months old.

[Grappa]

I used to work in a garage and would see car rims like that all the time.  Would just lay it on the ground with the tire off the rim, and bang it back into place with a hammer.  Those were steel rims though, looks like you've got magnesium?

[BastrdHK]

If its not leaking can you live with it?

[blue tiger]

There forged aluminum not magnesium. I'll have to get the dealers impression of the safety. I'm not sure if I can live with it either way. I'm really hoping they have a place to send it that can straighten it. I'm going to be looking around for that service for sure.

[Scottish]

Yeah most cities will have at least a rim straightening shop or two. Yellow Pages my friend... it doesn't look beyond repair to me.

[Spike]

Try these guys. They do great work.

www.framestraightsystem.com

[55Spy]

if it's not folded or cracked it can be saved.

Google and thte yellow pages are about to become your close friends

[slyfox]

If it does not leak, I'd live with it.

I know it could be repaired by heating the metal up & knocking but I just could not trust those shops that do the repair job to a motorcycle rim. I just love my life.

[CairnsDuc]

Still gotta bring a Tear to the Eye to see though, It still amazes me how I have not damaged a rim up here in Northern Australia, Our roads are Goat tracks 

[monster monkey]

I would want a new rim but, as a tech, if it's not leaking you can have it rebalanced to even out any variation caused by the bend. This can be temporary until you get the goods 

[silentbob]

There forged aluminum not magnesium. I'll have to get the dealers impression of the safety. I'm not sure if I can live with it either way. I'm really hoping they have a place to send it that can straighten it. I'm going to be looking around for that service for sure.

They are cast aluminum and bending it back may weaken it or even crack it.  I would leave it alone unless it bothers you to look at it.  If you can't get more gold ones from the dealer then just get a black one and get it powder coated. 

[Howie]

These folks are real good.  Reasonable price, quick turn around.  They do not paint though, and there is a good possibility paint will be disturbed.  They use slow pressure and some heat to prevent work hardening, and if there is a safety risk they won't do it.

http://www.mcwheel.com/

[blue tiger]

They are cast aluminum and bending it back may weaken it or even crack it.  I would leave it alone unless it bothers you to look at it.  If you can't get more gold ones from the dealer then just get a black one and get it powder coated. 

I thought they were forged not cast. It doesn't matter becuase one from the dealer would be very expensive. Some of these links look pretty good and I might give them a call after going to the dealership. I could just let it go provided it's safe but danm, it's a brand new tricolore that has less than 2000 miles on it. It (was) is totally cherry and that bent rim will piss me off every time I look at it. Thanks for alll the help !! I'll continue to update this thread when I find out more.

[Duc L'Smart]

Crap.  Not a good start on a new bike.
Hope you're enjoying the bike otherwise
I had a rim straightened by a place near Denver. They did a great job! I'll see if I can find them.

[Duc L'Smart]

I used Woody's. Tighter tolerances than others, & much cheaper than buying a new rim

http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/moto_wheels.shtml