Wheel bent.. fix or replace?
 

Incredibly surprised I didn't notice this when buying my 03 CBR600RR... but it has a bent front wheel :( Only noticed it a week after, tire holds air perfectly fine. I feel it vibrate a bit when I brake, but other than that it felt fine(?) After I noticed it though I was hella sketched out on the ride home and everything felt shaky, not sure if that was just a psychological thing or not. Also, is this safe to ride on? I already took it on highway without knowing about the bend, but all my friends said it's not safe to ride. I garaged it for now until I can figure out what to do with it.

Read up a lot online about this, and after ignoring all the stupid advice of just using a hammer to wack it back in place, I'm still seeing mixed replies on whether I should get it fixed or just replace the entire wheel with a used one.

Haven't quoted a fix yet, but if I were to get it fixed it would be through nubrite. A used wheel is about $450, and brand new is $850 from Carter.

Opinions?

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...08&oe=59D27E9E

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...5c&oe=59CC169A

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...d6&oe=59D60A12

For an 03 CBR you should be able to get a wheel for $150 or so on ebay. $450 is the price for a perfect set without putting in much effort. Try ebay and model specific forums. For $850 you could get some forged aluminum Marchesinis.

$450cad would be from eBay haha, after conversion and whatever parcel fees from point roberts would entail. I did find a couple of cheaper ones on there, but they mostly have bends or things that are either deep scratches or cracks that I don't want to touch. Even with that in mind, $450 is still used and not in mint condition (but at least it's straight!). Also tried scouring the web for them, but everything basically just redirects me back to eBay or ~$650cad for a new wheel. I'm definitely staying far away from Carter on this one haha, $850 for a front wheel is crazy.

Is it just me, or are model specific forums quite dead for bikes :/ The R3 forums and 600rr.net aren't as active as I thought they would be.

pics of bike?

Basically stock other than an Akra slip on, sliders, and some ugly tank grips and protector

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...62&oe=59D41D3A
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...2f&oe=59CBFCE1

I'd change the wheel instead of trying to fix.

Saw a complete set on CL, don't know if it will fit your bike though. Complete set for $450. They are 05-06, sometimes later years will fit on previous year, talk him down.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/mpo/6175153330.html

Thanks!!! I didn't see that on Craigslist when I searched haha, 03-06 wheels all fit the same to my knowledge :D Just emailed the guy

Also consider reaching out to Brad @ chop shop or calvin who sells wrecked bike parts for a wheel if you want to explore your options.

Looks like no one has it locally, most local places I called just told me to go to Panthers lol. The guy from Craigslist didn't reply :/ and the duct tape marks look kinda sketchy so I just ordered online which came out to $350. Lesson learned, check everything more carefully when buying a bike lol. Thanks for the help everyone!

Now the question is, do I sell my bent wheel on eBay/Craigslist to get some cash or just turn it into a coffee table

I vote coffee table. Never good selling busted up stuff that someone else could injure themselves one. Bike looks clean btw!

I maybe have 2007 wheels with Michelin Pilot Power 3 mounted.
However, the part numbers are not the same for 2003 and 2007.
Will they fit? I don't know. Don't know if the rotors mount, if the dampers in the rear wheel fit etc.

I was thinking about selling it to those who wanted to fix it, but I definitely wouldn't want anyone running these as is. Another wheel coffee table would look good beside my gramlights coffee table :fullofwin: Thanks!

I read that an 07 wheel would fit the 03-06 but would require custom spacers or something of the like, which seems a bit too complicated for me :/ Thanks for the offer though!


Previous owner of the bike saw this thread too and just messaged me offering to help pay partially for another wheel as he had no idea it was bent either. I don't know his username on here, but thank you! Made my day, you're a stand up guy :D

That is solid! Not everyday someone steps up like that. Especially after the sale is completed.

when i sent my wheels to nu-brite. they didn't have a motorcycle setup. I sent my wheels to them when I had my 675. they took almost 2 months. they told me they had to send it into richmond. blah blah blah blah excuses. They also boxed my wheels when the paint was still soft. left alot of defects in the paint.

maybe they have equipment to repair bent motorcycle wheels now. but i would tell you to send your wheel to greens. if you dont feel like waiting for 2 months.

Damn, that's real nice.

You seem to know things. Know anywhere I could get my aluminum wheels anodized in gooooooooold?

I do know quite a few things. But unfortunately I don't have experience in needing any aluminum parts anodized, so I don't have any relevant advice. Googling does bring up quite a few local business that do anodizing locally. You can try calling them. :)

this place does anodizing. not sure on costs, but it's not that expensive from what I've heard.
BUT they don't do stripping. so you'll have to get the wheels stripped elsewhere.

Anodizing:
https://goo.gl/maps/GbgqFF1kDuz

Stripping:
https://goo.gl/maps/jfXzgPccrzy

I used Green's wheel repair before for my car. Did a good job bend my wheel back and refinishing it. It was CAN$200 total with tax for that wheel.

Not sure if they do motorcycles, though.