Tire change, wheel damage, and disappointment...help?

FoolishMortal · 05-20-2005, 03:45 PM

Two weeks ago, I finally ran through the stock tires that came on the SV and went to get some new tires mounted. The shop here in Oceanside mounted the tires and lubed the chain for me. I went riding a couple of times. It was good.

I clean the wheels when I lube the chain, and I do that every 400 to 500 miles. I haven't washed the bike since the move because I can't do it at the apartment (water is expensive here) and I couldn't get it to my parents' house. In preparation for a short ride last night, I cleaned/lubed the chain and started to clean the rear rim. I was shocked and dismayed to find that there are some huge gouges in the lip, an area that looks pinched, and even what appear to be small stress fractures/cracking! This is all on the left side of the rear wheel, so it's hidden from casual observation by chainfling and the bike's angle as it sits on the sidestand. I know that it's been two weeks since the tires were mounted, but I'm calling the shop, since I'm convinced that they did the damage when mounting the tires. This is the first time that tires were mounted (other than stock from the factory), so it couldn't have been another shop that screwed up, and the damage is on the inside of the lip - it's not as though I ran over a monster rock and did it myself. I would have known if I had hit a rock that size anyway.

The wheels were pristine when I took the bike in two weeks ago, and now they are not. One shop has worked on the wheels. I've ridden 500 miles and had the bike in the garage the rest of the time. Do I seem to be off-base, or is it indeed possible, even likely, that the tire-changing process (either manual or with a machine) could have done the damage I've described? I shouldn't have to take a picture of my wheels before every tire change to cover myself...

If the shop won't fess up (and they probably won't), I'll probaby replace the rim so that I feel safe about its integrity. Other than another SV1000s rim, what's a direct bolt-on? Will it take an SV650, GSX-r, TLR, TLS, or other rim without messing around with axles and spacers?

Thanks.

SPEED · 05-20-2005, 03:53 PM

May be best to check on the SV boards for the most accurate info.

When I had my Aprilia Mille R with the OZ wheels, I would always make some kind of comment on how good they look, and that I'd apreciate it if that didn't change any during the tire changing process. If you go to a busy shop, chances are that they will damage your wheels somehow....at least cosmetically.

Check out Lee's Cycle down that way, or Buymoto. :thumbup

GSXR-Freak · 05-20-2005, 06:15 PM

You might just want to suck it up and deal with it... It sounds rude, but the new Zuk rims are coated with crap paint.

It is very common... On a new GSXR I did the tires on, when using masking tape to hold on the temp wheel wieghts, the MASKING tape pulled off the paint...

John

ABearden · 05-20-2005, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSXR-Freak

You might just want to suck it up and deal with it... It sounds rude, but the new Zuk rims are coated with crap paint.

It is very common... On a new GSXR I did the tires on, when using masking tape to hold on the temp wheel wieghts, the MASKING tape pulled off the paint...

John

Sounds like a job for powdercoating. :dunno

FoolishMortal · 05-20-2005, 08:16 PM

You guys might be right on both counts: paint and powdercoating.

I took the bike over to the shop and spoke with the service manager, who was very reasonable. He showed me how the tire-changing machine works and how he doesn't think that it could have done the damage to my wheel. However, after the demonstration, he said, "All that aside, how can we make this right for you - what do you want?" The perfect response.

Looking at the marks with him in the full sunlight, they aren't as bad as I thought. True, one groove is very long, but it seems to be mostly paint (I didn't know the silver wheels were painted) and clearcoat that was scraped rather than raw metal as I initially believed. There are certainly a few nicks in the metal, but not the horrifying gouges that I originally thought.

Our compromise: Since I was going to powdercoat the wheels anyway, he'll pull the rear, dismount the tire and sand out the damage until the wheel is smooth again, as well as pulling the rotor and bearings, reassemble/remount the tire - basically, deal with the rear wheel for powdercoating on his time/dime. I can't prove that the shop did the damage, although that makes the most sense, and he doesn't think they did, but he wants a happy customer. I'm not exactly happy, but I'm not livid anymore, so I guess that will work.

SPEED · 05-20-2005, 08:21 PM

Sounds like a decent compromise to me :thumbup

G-force Junkie · 05-20-2005, 08:41 PM

Sounds like a good deal to me. One thing if you rims are perfect condition, whenever you bring your wheels in for tires...have the head honcho look at them when you drop them off. Point out they are perfect and need to stay that way. Jobs like changing tires often get left to the "new guy" or shop monkey...if they know your are picky, they will take the extra 30 seconds to not scratch them.

FoolishMortal · 05-20-2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-force Junkie

One thing if you rims are perfect condition, whenever you bring your wheels in for tires...have the head honcho look at them when you drop them off. Point out they are perfect and need to stay that way. Jobs like changing tires often get left to the "new guy" or shop monkey...if they know your are picky, they will take the extra 30 seconds to not scratch them.

Now I know! :chair Once the powdercoating is done, I'll be doing this every time.

Freakshow999 · 05-21-2005, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSXR-Freak

You might just want to suck it up and deal with it... It sounds rude, but the new Zuk rims are coated with crap paint.

It is very common... On a new GSXR I did the tires on, when using masking tape to hold on the temp wheel wieghts, the MASKING tape pulled off the paint...

John

Use blue painters masking tape it won't do that...

GSXR-Freak · 05-21-2005, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freakshow999

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSXR-Freak

You might just want to suck it up and deal with it... It sounds rude, but the new Zuk rims are coated with crap paint.

It is very common... On a new GSXR I did the tires on, when using masking tape to hold on the temp wheel wieghts, the MASKING tape pulled off the paint...

John

Use blue painters masking tape it won't do that...

Uhmmmm It did it... I always use Blue Painters Masking tape... It was just a crap job on the rims...

The dealer fixed it since they know me, and how well I take care of the parts I work on.

John

05-20-2005, 03:45 PM	#1
FoolishMortal Spammer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 24 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 0 (10)	Tire change, wheel damage, and disappointment...help? Two weeks ago, I finally ran through the stock tires that came on the SV and went to get some new tires mounted. The shop here in Oceanside mounted the tires and lubed the chain for me. I went riding a couple of times. It was good. I clean the wheels when I lube the chain, and I do that every 400 to 500 miles. I haven't washed the bike since the move because I can't do it at the apartment (water is expensive here) and I couldn't get it to my parents' house. In preparation for a short ride last night, I cleaned/lubed the chain and started to clean the rear rim. I was shocked and dismayed to find that there are some huge gouges in the lip, an area that looks pinched, and even what appear to be small stress fractures/cracking! This is all on the left side of the rear wheel, so it's hidden from casual observation by chainfling and the bike's angle as it sits on the sidestand. I know that it's been two weeks since the tires were mounted, but I'm calling the shop, since I'm convinced that they did the damage when mounting the tires. This is the first time that tires were mounted (other than stock from the factory), so it couldn't have been another shop that screwed up, and the damage is on the inside of the lip - it's not as though I ran over a monster rock and did it myself. I would have known if I had hit a rock that size anyway. The wheels were pristine when I took the bike in two weeks ago, and now they are not. One shop has worked on the wheels. I've ridden 500 miles and had the bike in the garage the rest of the time. Do I seem to be off-base, or is it indeed possible, even likely, that the tire-changing process (either manual or with a machine) could have done the damage I've described? I shouldn't have to take a picture of my wheels before every tire change to cover myself... If the shop won't fess up (and they probably won't), I'll probaby replace the rim so that I feel safe about its integrity. Other than another SV1000s rim, what's a direct bolt-on? Will it take an SV650, GSX-r, TLR, TLS, or other rim without messing around with axles and spacers? Thanks. __________________ It's not what you pass, it's how you pass...

05-20-2005, 03:53 PM	#2
SPEED Administrator Tournaments Won: 2 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: So Cali Bikes: '07 Honda CBR600RR, Cag Pocket bike Age: 44 Posts: 11,163 iTrader: (5) Rep Power: 17 (42)	May be best to check on the SV boards for the most accurate info. When I had my Aprilia Mille R with the OZ wheels, I would always make some kind of comment on how good they look, and that I'd apreciate it if that didn't change any during the tire changing process. If you go to a busy shop, chances are that they will damage your wheels somehow....at least cosmetically. Check out Lee's Cycle down that way, or Buymoto. :thumbup __________________ Live to ride another day!" SIGN UP HERE --> "Zoomsplat" -Wingers" SPORTBIKES WEST.COM User Maintenance General Forum Usage Reading and Posting Messages

05-20-2005, 06:15 PM	#3
GSXR-Freak Squid Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Clarita Posts: 236 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 6 (10)	You might just want to suck it up and deal with it... It sounds rude, but the new Zuk rims are coated with crap paint. It is very common... On a new GSXR I did the tires on, when using masking tape to hold on the temp wheel wieghts, the MASKING tape pulled off the paint... John __________________ Almost Illegal Racing gear - http://www.cafeshops.com/airacing The list: 99 GSXR750, yosh full race pipe, PCII, TRE, Tail light int., 180 rear tire, Almost Illegal Racing suspention, +3 rear sprocket, flush mount turn siganls, cut fender, 51,000+ miles!!! 89 Hawk 650GT Jetted (by me)

05-20-2005, 08:16 PM	#5
FoolishMortal Spammer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 24 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 0 (10)	You guys might be right on both counts: paint and powdercoating. I took the bike over to the shop and spoke with the service manager, who was very reasonable. He showed me how the tire-changing machine works and how he doesn't think that it could have done the damage to my wheel. However, after the demonstration, he said, "All that aside, how can we make this right for you - what do you want?" The perfect response. Looking at the marks with him in the full sunlight, they aren't as bad as I thought. True, one groove is very long, but it seems to be mostly paint (I didn't know the silver wheels were painted) and clearcoat that was scraped rather than raw metal as I initially believed. There are certainly a few nicks in the metal, but not the horrifying gouges that I originally thought. Our compromise: Since I was going to powdercoat the wheels anyway, he'll pull the rear, dismount the tire and sand out the damage until the wheel is smooth again, as well as pulling the rotor and bearings, reassemble/remount the tire - basically, deal with the rear wheel for powdercoating on his time/dime. I can't prove that the shop did the damage, although that makes the most sense, and he doesn't think they did, but he wants a happy customer. I'm not exactly happy, but I'm not livid anymore, so I guess that will work. __________________ It's not what you pass, it's how you pass...

05-20-2005, 08:21 PM	#6
SPEED Administrator Tournaments Won: 2 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: So Cali Bikes: '07 Honda CBR600RR, Cag Pocket bike Age: 44 Posts: 11,163 iTrader: (5) Rep Power: 17 (42)	Sounds like a decent compromise to me :thumbup __________________ Live to ride another day!" SIGN UP HERE --> "Zoomsplat" -Wingers" SPORTBIKES WEST.COM User Maintenance General Forum Usage Reading and Posting Messages

05-20-2005, 08:41 PM	#7
G-force Junkie Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 65 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 6 (10)	Sounds like a good deal to me. One thing if you rims are perfect condition, whenever you bring your wheels in for tires...have the head honcho look at them when you drop them off. Point out they are perfect and need to stay that way. Jobs like changing tires often get left to the "new guy" or shop monkey...if they know your are picky, they will take the extra 30 seconds to not scratch them.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode