wheel repair

davy83

Member
Messages
2,809
anyone been able to get flat spots sorted on the late 3200 early 4200 wheels (see avatar)? I have very slight flat spots on two of my wheels and the two local companies one with fairly specialised wheel repair equipment say they cant do it? I am happy to send them (or drive to) any where in the UK, maybe even Europe, but i would like to know they can be straightened out, rather than having to replace them.
 

Trev Latter

Member
Messages
1,213
I'm not sure off these guys will be able to help, but it might me worth dropping them a note to ask. They're local to me and have an excellent reputation, but I haven't used them personally. That said, my wheels are starting to look a little tired now and could do with a refurb, so a call may be open the cards later this year.
Aerocoat
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Ive used these guys myself, for some bike parts..
Have to say right off the bat, Id be very very surprised if they can help because they are a paint shop...not a wheel refurb specialist..
They boast fancy powders but then claim they dont do them cos of the quantities etc..
They also powder coated vbearing surfaces and failed to get any paint where it was needed...!
Id say you have to know EXACTLY what you're doing as they need it all explaining in every detail from experience..
Nice enough guys ,I hasten to add....!;)
 

Mattp

Member
Messages
501
Where in the UK are you? Rim renov8 in colchester did a good job of refurbing all and fixing one of my wheels - flat spot and crack.

Did the company say why they couldn't repair the wheels?? It may be the case that they are too badly flatspotted?
 

davy83

Member
Messages
2,809
The flat spots are not bad at all almost not noticable to the eye but with a more careful measurement it was clear the wheels are true, so i thought i would get them straightened out. They said the central hole in the wheel casting is too small for the precision machine to grip properly? seems a bit wierd to me which is why i though i would see if anyone else had a sucess story?

Where in the UK are you? Rim renov8 in colchester did a good job of refurbing all and fixing one of my wheels - flat spot and crack.

Did the company say why they couldn't repair the wheels?? It may be the case that they are too badly flatspotted?
 

RoaryRati

Member
Messages
1,584
We've used Reinventing the wheel in Tewkesbury when suffered tyre pressure leaks and no puncture/faulty valve - they've always done a good job and seemed honest - don't know about dealing with flat spots, etc tho.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
The problem with flat spots it tricky. If it buckled you can put it on a wheelwright and bang it back into shape. If its gone oval, I'm not sure this can be economically fixed.

Let us know what they say?
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
The problem with flat spots it tricky. If it buckled you can put it on a wheelwright and bang it back into shape. If its gone oval, I'm not sure this can be economically fixed.

Let us know what they say?

Buckled wheels isn't really a huge issue as the damage and repairs happen daily. The technician heats the alloy up to 400C and the mechanical press straightens the damage out some are even totally automated now.

The problem davy and I are having is that the majority of the mechanical presses at specialist repair workshops use a machine that clamps the alloy into place using the central spigot - the multi spoke 3200AC/4200 alloy (and possibly the other designs) will not fit into this press due to the bore diameter being a few mm too narrow.

The solution is to potentially get someone to repair it by hand which involves heating the alloy to 400C and using a hammer - this obviously has its limitations compared to the machine press which gets it much closer to its original shape plus the repair lasts much longer often hammered out repairs will quickly buckle again

Alternatively we need to find a shop which has a press that fits onto the holes for the studs such as this:

 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
@Kincath has a few spare 3200 wheels for sale I believe Davy. Perhaps try and see if these are straight and true as that's easier than a repair on yours?