RX3 Rear Wheel Rebuild with Warp9 Rim

[3banger]

detours, I've built up a Warp 9 for a rear on my KTM and it not too difficult if willing to spend the time and be methodical. I would say it's certainly easier then building up a bicycle wheel. I have every intention in building up an 18" rear and 19" front for the Zong soon. I was hoping to have it done before the Baja ride but that just not going to happen in time.

I'll try to past some pics tomorrow.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by RedHawk47

Spud,
Have you removed a tire from your new aluminum rim? Was it "easy"? Easier than the steel rim?
The reason I ask is that the aluminum rim looks like it has an extra rib a quarter inch or so inside the flange. I think I've read that the rib is for tubeless tires to hold them on better in low pressure situations.

No, I haven't changed the rear tire since I laced the new rim. However, the rear tire is almost worn, so I will be changing it sometime this spring. I am confident removing the rear tire from the rim will be easier, since the new rim is much narrower than the old rim.



The Warp9 rims do have a very small rib inside the flange, but I don't know the purpose of the rib. This rib is perhaps one millimeter high at most, and appears to be corrugated by the machine tooling as the rim is bent into shape.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by detours

Spudrider, I'd like to rebuild my wheel, but I'm trying to decide whether to do it myself or have it done professionally.

Is it something a total noob can do? or should I get a pro to do it? I'm especially worried about warping the rim and screwing up the dishing.

Originally Posted by 3banger

detours, I've built up a Warp 9 for a rear on my KTM and it not too difficult if willing to spend the time and be methodical. I would say it's certainly easier then building up a bicycle wheel. I have every intention in building up an 18" rear and 19" front for the Zong soon. I was hoping to have it done before the Baja ride but that just not going to happen in time.

I'll try to past some pics tomorrow.

Detours,

If you do some research on the internet, you can certainly teach yourself to lace and true a wheel. As 3banger states, you should take your time, be methodical, and make small adjustments. I also recommend you invest in a good truing stand.

If you don't feel like doing the job yourself, for whatever reasons, it is best if you can find a local shop to do the job. Having the job done locally will allow you to save a lot on shipping costs, instead of sending the hub to Buchanan's, or another wheel builder.

[kohburn]

how do you like those shinko 244 tires? an what kind of lifespan are you getting form them?

[RedHawk47]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Detours,

If you do some research on the internet, you can certainly teach yourself to lace and true a wheel. As 3banger states, you should take your time, be methodical, and make small adjustments. I also recommend you invest in a good truing stand.

If you don't feel like doing the job yourself, for whatever reasons, it is best if you can find a local shop to do the job. Having the job done locally will allow you to save a lot on shipping costs, instead of sending the hub to Buchanan's, or another wheel builder.

Woody's in Denver is a well respected wheel shop. Lots of info on their website also. http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by RedHawk47

Woody's in Denver is a well respected wheel shop. Lots of info on their website also. http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/

I have heard good things about Woody. I know he is on ADVRider, but I didn't realize he was in Denver. If one can afford him, he is certainly a good option.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by kohburn

how do you like those shinko 244 tires? an what kind of lifespan are you getting form them?

I love the Shinko 244 tires; they do a great job on the RX3. They also last a very long time. I have ridden a little over 13,000 miles on my Shinko, 244 rear tire, and it still has a few miles left in it.

My Kenda, K270 front tire lasted almost 13,000 miles before I replaced it with a a Shinko 244. The K270 would have lasted even longer if I had flipped it every 4,000 miles.

[detours]

Originally Posted by RedHawk47

Woody's in Denver is a well respected wheel shop. Lots of info on their website also. http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to check them out.

[ArExThree]

Hey Spud....need your feedback on this. I just laced up the 17" Warp 9 rear rim this afternoon. I am a bit concerned about the spoke length using the original RX3 spokes.
I have it trued up but most of the spokes have about 3/16" of thread showing above the nipple. This equates to about 6 or 7 threads on the spoke itself.
Can you tell me if this is about the same result that you had and if so....apparently you have not had any issues. Just concerned about not having more threads engaged in the nipple. Thanks for your feedback!

[rjmorel]

The rule of thumb for us machinists is that in steel anyway, once your threaded in more then the length of the diameter of the bolt, you will twist the bolt in 2 and not strip the threads. So on a 1/4" thread once you have more threads engaged then 1/4" it should break bolt in 2 and not strip the threads. Brass may be different ???? rj

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by ArExThree

Hey Spud....need your feedback on this. I just laced up the 17" Warp 9 rear rim this afternoon. I am a bit concerned about the spoke length using the original RX3 spokes.
I have it trued up but most of the spokes have about 3/16" of thread showing above the nipple. This equates to about 6 or 7 threads on the spoke itself.
Can you tell me if this is about the same result that you had and if so....apparently you have not had any issues. Just concerned about not having more threads engaged in the nipple. Thanks for your feedback!

Yes, I got the same results. I think I might order some custom spokes from Buchanans, which are a little bit longer. However, I have not had any problems with the stock spokes.

[ArExThree]

Okay, so I went ahead and contacted Buchanan's Spoke customer service to get the straight skinny. They said that if the threaded portion that is engaged is 1.5 times the diameter of the threads....maximum strength has been achieved.
So in the case of the RX3, the spokes are 4mm diameter....so any engagement more than 6mm should be sufficient. So Spud and I should be good to go as I probably have about 7 or 8mm of threaded engagement.

[SpudRider]

Yes, I haven't had any problems whatsoever. However, I still might splurge for some custom spokes from Buchanans. Their custom spokes are very strong, and will certainly outlast the life of the motorcycle.

[jezzrite]

Greetings SpudRider.

I'm switching my rear and front wheel to larger sizes. Rear 15 to 17in, and front 18 to 19in. I purchased the rims, but I don't know the length of the spokes. Did you, by any chance, measured the length of the rear spokes?

I'm unable to take the rear hub to the shop due to various logistic and physical location limitation. Really appreciate it if you have any information regarding the rear spokes length.

Thanks!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by jezzrite

Greetings SpudRider.

I'm switching my rear and front wheel to larger sizes. Rear 15 to 17in, and front 18 to 19in. I purchased the rims, but I don't know the length of the spokes. Did you, by any chance, measured the length of the rear spokes?...

I used the rear spokes which were laced to my original rim. You can purchase these spokes from CSC, in Azusa, California. The rear wheel uses outer, and inner spokes. Both spokes are about 148 mm in length.