Argh. Pothole injured my rim. Opinions?

[bird0915]

So...last night I managed to hit a nasty, nasty pothole. Since they are so abundant in NYC, I thought I had been doing a good job of avoiding them, but, unfortunately, not last night. This was no normal pothole either. The street had 3 large square shaped holes cut out of it with steel square metal pieces in the centers.

Why are these in the street? I dunno.

But I think the metal center piece bent my rim on my rear wheel, which is now causing the rear break to hit the rim with every revolution, and the wheel catches. Yikes.

I am not opposed to doing some of my own repairs (and have already done some as well as repairs on my VW when I had it) but am not so sure about this one. I already called around to a couple of places, and it sounds like it is going to be expensive.

I found the part on these sites:
http://www.kentkawparts.com/pages/oempa ... %7c%7e0027

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/buddy125rearwheel

In the opinion of the more experienced and mechanically inclined members, am I getting too big for britches in thinking I can do something like this? Any potential problems you guys can foresee me running into? I am also wondering about the color. My rim is the red color seen on the Pamplona. I am assuming I would have to get this painted to match?

I would really love to save the money and hassle of taking it somewhere, but I also know I could be causing myself more headaches by trying to do it myself.

Just wondering what you guys think...

[Thadsgood]

So all you need to do is replace the rim? That's not a big problem. Just order a new rim from Scooterworks or somewhere else. The tire replacement is a bit of work, for sure, but it's not surgery. Make sure when you order the rim that it also comes with the bearings in it.

[MYSCTR]

The rear wheel for the Buddy 125/150 does not have any bearings to remove – yet you will need to unbolt the brake drum. No big deal. The wheel is steel, the brake drum is cast and both should be the same burgundy color of your Pamplona.

You can (sometimes) repair the wheel or have it done as long as the wheel is true and the tire seals properly (minor dents).

You can get it powdercoated black or another color yet matching the Buddy color may be a challenge. Have to talk to you local powdercoater and see what they can do.

Scooterworks has both the front and rear Pamplona color wheels in stock as they tried to sell me the set not too long ago.

If you choose to change the front (or to powdercoat to match the rear) you will have to use an aftermarket bearing puller to get the bearings out. It is tricky as there is a sleeve spacer in between and not much to grab yet it works well if you have patience and maybe a little experience. Putting them back in can be done by hand (at home) yet better to pay your shop to do it as they must be seated properly if you have any reservations.

You can see more under the gallery where I described changing my International wheels to a chrome finish.

Lastly, you can always take your wheels (off the bike) and tires and valve stems to a tire shop and have them put them on for a smaller fee (since they are off the bike). A motorcycle shop would be preferred or your local scooter dealer who should give you a break for taking them off.

[Sparky]

I had that happen the first month of owning my (late) Kermit. If the rim isn't completely dished in, any competent scooter shop should be able to whack the bent area back into shape with a rubber mallet. It'll be roughly the cost of a rear tire change in terms of labour.

The repair has lasted for four years without any leaks, so it'll hold.

[bird0915]

Thanks for all your help, guys! I will see what I can do. I may try the mallet job just to get it moving enough to get to my place (it's at a friend's) and then go from there.

Appreciate the help.

[rsrider]

I would take a picture of the pothole and your wheel, and send it to the road maintenance dept. of your burg and ask them about reimbursement for a new wheels and tire.

[bird0915]

I would take a picture of the pothole and your wheel, and send it to the road maintenance dept. of your burg and ask them about reimbursement for a new wheels and tire.

That's an excellent idea. Not sure they will care one bit in Manhattan, but it's worth a try. Either way, I was planning to try and report it since it is a hazard. I drove that route twice that day, and the first time (during the day time) a car swerved into my lane to try and avoid those same potholes. The second time (at night) I just didn't see them until it was too late, and I didn't want to swerve too heavily since I had a passenger on the back.

Those potholes (which actually look like they are cut-out square holes in the asphalt and are not naturally occurring) are bad news bears.

[SuperFlyBuddy]

Since it sounds like the hazard was man made they should take responsibility for the damage unless they had signage saying slow down, construction ahead or something of the like. If they did have signs posted I think you're SOL because they made an effort to warn you of the hazard.

[metty]

I have a set of rims if that would be any help to you. Thanks, Metty