RX3 Rear Wheel Rebuild with Warp9 Rim

[SpudRider]

I have changed the rear tire 3 times on my Zongshen RX3. The first time I got a flat, and seized the opportunity to switch from the stock rear tire to the Shinko 244 tire in size 5.10-17. Because of the very wide, 3.00-17 rim, and the sharp edges of the steel rim, I never had a more difficult time removing a tire from a motorcycle wheel. Also, even with the sprocket carrier removed, the rear wheel was very heavy.

The second time I got another flat, and the Shinko rear tire was even more difficult to remove from the steel wheel than the stock CST tire. Here is a photograph of the stock rear wheel, with the tire removed.



Since removing the tire from the wide steel rim was so difficult at home, I knew it would be even more difficult to remove the tire during a roadside repair. Therefore, I decided to rebuild the rear wheel with a Warp9 alloy rim, size 2.50-17. The narrower rim facilitates removing the tire, and the alloy rim has a more rounded edge, which doesn't dig into the tire bead. In addition, the smaller, alloy rim is lighter in weight, and the size 2.50-17 rim also allows mounting a smaller, 4.60-17 tire. The smaller tire lowers the seat height about 1/2-inch, and also weighs less than the larger, 5.10-17 tire.

[SpudRider]

Here is a photograph of the rebuilt rear wheel with the Warp9 rim, juxtaposed with the wider steel rim.

[SpudRider]

Here are photographs of both sides of the Warp9 wheel before I mounted the tire.

[SpudRider]

Here are photographs of both sides of the Warp9 wheel after I remounted the Shinko 244, size 5.10-17, rear tire.





The size 5.10-17 tire is great for bearing the heaviest loads. However, I always prefer to travel light. Therefore, as soon as this rear tire wears out, I plan to replace it with a Shinko 244 tire in size 4.60-17. Unlike the wider stock rim, the narrower, 2.50-17 rim will safely accommodate the smaller tire, which is designed for a size 2.15-17 rim. Nevertheless, the size 2.50-17 rim also allows me to revert back to the wider, 5.10-17 tire, if I ever decide to burden the bike with much heavier loads.

[Adjuster]

Wow I am guessing replacing both the front and rear steel wheels with aluminum should give you a pretty good performance increase. Do you have plans to do the front?


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[Adjuster]

I am also curious what is your preferred method for getting your tires on and off without buggering up your nice new rims.


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[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Adjuster

Wow I am guessing replacing both the front and rear steel wheels with aluminum should give you a pretty good performance increase. Do you have plans to do the front?


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I can lace a Warp9 rim to the front wheel for only $85.50, if I use a 10 percent off coupon at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...rm=warp9%20rim



I might do it, but I'm not in any rush. There is definitely less benefit, and less incentive, to replace the front rim compared to the rear rim.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Adjuster

I am also curious what is your preferred method for getting your tires on and off without buggering up your nice new rims.


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I use the Jay Clarke method of changing tires, as shown in the following thread, and I never have any problems.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...498#post175498

However, I would truly hate to perform a roadside repair of the rear tire mounted on the wide steel rim I just replaced.

[Adjuster]

Spud just curious again do you balance your new rim and tire?



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[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Adjuster

Spud just curious again do you balance your new rim and tire?

No, I don't balance knobby tires mounted on dirt bikes, dual sport bikes, or adventure bikes. I have never felt the need to do so, since my bikes don't perform like sport bikes, and I don't notice any adverse effects from not balancing the tires. Also, knobby tires always wear a little unevenly, so I don't think the balance would last for long. I think the most important maintenance tasks for off road wheels is keeping the spokes tight, and the wheel true.

[Weldangrind]

Excellent idea, Spud.

While you had the wheel off, did you examine the cush drive? Any signs of cracking or wear?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Excellent idea, Spud.

While you had the wheel off, did you examine the cush drive? Any signs of cracking or wear?

Thank you, Weld.

Yes, I always examine the entire wheel every time I change a tire, or do any other wheel maintenance. The Zongshen hub is built extremely strong, and I think it's almost impossible it would ever crack. I did not notice any signs of unusual wear. These Zongshen bikes are built tough to last for the long haul.

I just wish they didn't bathe the brake rotor bolts in loctite, and install them with an impact driver at the factory.

[SpudRider]

All my motorcycles are off road bikes, with knobby tires. I have installed rim locks on both wheels for my other bikes, and I will probably do the same with my Zongshen RX3. Putting a rim lock on the front wheel prevents the front tire from leaving the rim if you get a flat tire while riding the pavement. Putting a rim lock on either wheel prevents the flat tire from ripping the valve stem from the inner tube.

An added benefit of the size 2.50-17 rim is the availability of rim locks to fit the rim.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...erm=rim%20lock
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...erm=rim%20lock

It might exist, but I have never seen a rim lock which fits a rim larger than 2.50 inches wide.

[Huck369]

Nice Job Spud, I'd like to switch to aluminum rims, I have a 19" for the front off another bike I need to get spokes to lace it onto the RX-3 Hub..

[rjmorel]

Spud you didn't happen to weigh both sets of rims to see how much weight you took off did you? I put on the 5.10x17 also and noticed it does rob some power, especially on long up hill grades. But it is nice in the rougher stuff for protecting the rim and tube when impacting sharp rock ledges etc. rj