Wheel Workshop: Refreshing your dirt bike wheels
One of the major points that lets down the look of an older bike is ugly and battered wheels. And it’s not just the outside that looks bad, chances are that the rims have started to corrode with years of sitting damp alongside mousses or tubes. Add in dodgy spokes and it’s time for a serious upgrade.
But rather than just go with off-the-shelf replacement, getting the stock wheels refurbished may be a cheaper option. The knackered old wheels from our man Julian’s 2001 KTM EXC250 were sent off to Central Wheel Components in the UK, where they transformed the tired old hoops into things of great beauty once again. And because they retained the OEM hubs, it was a straight fit back into the bike. A substantial saving of around a third over total replacement and an individual factory fresh look – plus you can use all the same spacers, bearings and dust seals – perfect.
Now if you are outside the UK, then sending them to downtown Birmingham might not prove economical, but the images show just how good an option a refurb can be over new.
THE ORIGINAL KTM WHEELS WERE TOTALLY CORRODED AND READY FOR THE SKIP
THE SPOKES GET THE BOLT-CROPPER TREATMENT
ALL SNIPPED AND THE HUB IS READY TO REMOVE
ALL THAT IS LEFT OF THE ORIGINAL WHEELS
WITH THE OLD SPOKES GONE THE HUBS ARE READY FOR CLEANING
STRAIGHT INTO THE SANDBLASTER TO REMOVE ANY TRACES OF THE OEM FINISH
AFTER THE SAND HAS WORKED ITS MAGIC, THE HUBS ARE BACK TO BASE METAL
WITH BOTH HUBS DONE, THE SURFACES ARE PREPPED FOR POWDER COATING
INTO THE SPRAY BOOTH AND READY TO GO
THE START OF THE POWDER COATING PROCESS TO APPLY SOME DEEP KTM ORANGE
MORE POWDER AND THE COLOUR IS GETTING DEEPER
AFTER POWDER COATING IT’S OFF TO THE OVEN FOR A SLOW BAKE
THE FINISHED HUBS NOW LOOK SUPER FRESH AND FACTORY TRICK
NO POWDER ON THE CHAINWHEEL OR BEARING SURFACES – THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT
MATCHED TO BLACK SM PRO RIMS, THE WHEELS ARE NOW READY TO BUILD
THE SPOKES GO IN AND THE WHEEL STARTS TO REGAIN LIFE
BACK WHEEL IS NOW FINISHED AND READY FOR BALANCING, BEARINGS, SEALS AND DISCS
ON TO THE FRONT AND THE PROCESS BEGINS AGAIN
BOTH WHEELS ARE METICULOUSLY BALANCED AND MADE TO RUN TRUE
WITH THE BALANCING COMPLETE, IT’S ON WITH NEW WAVY DISCS
NOW THE BUILD IS COMPLETE, IT’S TIME FOR FRESH RUBBER
THE FINISHED ARTICLE – LOOKING ABSOLUTELY STUNNING
BLACK RIMS, ORANGE HUBS – FACTORY FRESH
