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Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 10:01
by Kata
Just had a couple of advisories on my MOT saying that the rear wheel has a slightly distorted bead rim either side. Weird as it wasn't on the last mot they did a couple hundred miles before and I've not hit any potholes but anyway....
Just been to platinum wheels and their equipment to test/repair won't work on bike wheels.
Any where that can fix this?
I could probably buy a second hand wheel but might end up with same issue!
Re: Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 11:03
by Jug
Are you sure it's the wheel and not just the tyre?
Should be easy to rig up something to check it while it's still on the bike, just needs a securely mounted pointer from the swing arm.
Re: Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 12:21
by Kata
Pretty confident it's the wheel, assuming they actually tested it in the MOT and didn't just try to drum up business. I can't actually see any change in the line on the side of the tyre and the wheel. Phil fitted it.
As for rigging a pointer, I'll have to think about that. Cheers.
Re: Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 12:43
by Robbo87
Re: Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 13:03
by Jug
A couple of years ago I spoke to Motoliner (Maidstone).
They told me that if the rim is straight enough so that you can't obviously see the problem then their wheel straightener won't be able to fix it.
As for testing it - tooth pick, sharp pencil, anything pointy really and fix that on the swing arm with something. Could use Plasticine, maybe even hot melt glue. Just line it up with the rim so it's almost touching and then spin the rim.
That will quickly show you what (if anything) is 'out of true' and in which direction.
Re: Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 18:39
by Tvrv37
So long as the wheel is balanced, which it is I cannot see it would be a problem. To check beed allingnment you would really need to take the wheels off. The bike has intergalactic miles on it so would be surprised if they are completely true given the amount of pot holes it would have hit over it's 20 some years.
Re: Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 20:36
by Kata
Jug wrote: ↑May 9th, '26, 13:03
A couple of years ago I spoke to Motoliner (Maidstone).
They told me that if the rim is straight enough so that you can't obviously see the problem then their wheel straightener won't be able to fix it.
As for testing it - tooth pick, sharp pencil, anything pointy really and fix that on the swing arm with something. Could use Plasticine, maybe even hot melt glue. Just line it up with the rim so it's almost touching and then spin the rim.
That will quickly show you what (if anything) is 'out of true' and in which direction.
Thanks Jug. I've already sent a message to Motorliner but it sounds like they won't be able to do anything.
Forgotten about hot glue. I think my engineering skill is up to that. Ta.
Re: Wheel rim bead out of alignment
Posted: May 9th, '26, 20:38
by Kata
Tvrv37 wrote: ↑May 9th, '26, 18:39
So long as the wheel is balanced, which it is I cannot see it would be a problem. To check beed allingnment you would really need to take the wheels off. The bike has intergalactic miles on it so would be surprised if they are completely true given the amount of pot holes it would have hit over it's 20 some years.
The wheel is off so will find a pivot and see if I can detect anything. Didn't even realise it was an MOT thing until this time around.