How big of a difference?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 395
From: Alameda, CA
How big of a difference?
I have Carbon Fiber rims, and the front leaks so bad that i go from 40 to 15 PSI in 48 hours... but its not the bead, tire, valve or anything else EASY to check.
How big of a difference would it be if I put a steel wheel up front for the time being and kept the rear CF on.
I have a feeling it would ride really weird but than again I dont know for sure.
Any feedback is helpful!
Adam
How big of a difference would it be if I put a steel wheel up front for the time being and kept the rear CF on.
I have a feeling it would ride really weird but than again I dont know for sure.
Any feedback is helpful!
Adam
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
if you are worried about being 'out of balance', I wouldn't be concerned. the front end should just revert back to a slightly heavier feel from the heavier wheel but the difference in weight distribution shouldn't be a problem. I lot of us have put a lighter front wheel, or front end swap and lighter wheel comes with it, and no real noticeable issue being out of synch front to rear.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 395
From: Alameda, CA
they are Dymag, and they said if I ship them to England they will fix them, problem is I ride everyday to and from work. So until I find replacement rims I cant do that. Plus shipping from Hawaii to England isnt cheap... even for Carbon Fiber.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 387
Maybe dismount tire and spray with epoxy paint around "inside"of rim, and remount. Should seal any air leak without damage or too much weight gain. Check to see if solvent used in paint is cool with CF resin first.....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 395
From: Alameda, CA
Problem is... I checked the entire rim, stem to lip for air bubbles. and at 45 psi i didnt see ANY.
I wish I could find the leak, as I would totally do that. weight gain isnt a big deal for me, as i dont race with these rims.
I wish I could find the leak, as I would totally do that. weight gain isnt a big deal for me, as i dont race with these rims.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,864
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Don't forget that a CBRF3 wheel is dimensionally the same, you might have an easier time finding one of those (and probably cheaper).
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 395
From: Alameda, CA
Ya I had a list of the wheels that would fit both with and without mods. But the problem is the only place I found rims the would fit (and STILL need mods) the guy wants $500 for them... WITHOUT tires. I was like... uh ya ill let you know.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,864
From: Fort Wayne, IN
There are a couple on eBay right now for less than $100. There's even a couple of 900RR fronts going cheap - if you are brave enough. I guess it would be ok for the short term.
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World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Being that I change my own tires (Duh...NoMar...) I'm pretty good at finding leaks. Try mixing up a batch of dish detergent and water. Don't get it sudsy. Add the detergent to the water. Use a paintbrush to brush the mixture on the entire wheel, concentrating on the bead seating area, the valve core, and where the valve goes through the wheel. Go slowly. You'll find it. Press the tire up to 45psi first.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 524
You've checked the rim for leaks, but how about the tire ?
By the rate of leakage it sounds like a staple hole to me, especially since you've triple-checked the rim.
I can't imagine the rim springing a leak from one day to the next without any evidence of damage, the tire on the other hand.......................
Check the tire the same way and you might be surprised at what you find.
Kai Ju
By the rate of leakage it sounds like a staple hole to me, especially since you've triple-checked the rim.
I can't imagine the rim springing a leak from one day to the next without any evidence of damage, the tire on the other hand.......................
Check the tire the same way and you might be surprised at what you find.
Kai Ju
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
Just an idea if the soapy water doesn't get it. You could pull the wheel and stand it up in the bathtub with 7 or 8 inches of water. That's below the hub but with a good third of the wheel submerged at a time. And might be easy to see if bubbles from the tire, the valve, the bead or a porous wheel. You could do the same thing with the wheel on the bike if you jacked it and let it down into the proper size/shape container.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 395
From: Alameda, CA
Ya the leak was with the old tires, and same with the new ones too. So I know its not the tires.
And ya I will try the water thing too, problem is i can only do it at work since i live on a hill but maybe ill pull it on the sidewalk lol.
And ya I will try the water thing too, problem is i can only do it at work since i live on a hill but maybe ill pull it on the sidewalk lol.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
Good luck however you decide to go at it. I'd be reluctant to ride around too much on what might be a defective carbon fiber wheel.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
Saw one on ebay for $140 in Ohio. UPS ground there to you would be about $45. You can always sell it when the cf one is sorted out. Don't know that you're gonna be able to do much better than that.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
The link address is longer than my address bar, but if you key "Honda VTR front wheel" into ebay search, you'll find it down the page.
It's a place called Pinwheel Cycle Parts in Navarre, Ohio.
It's a place called Pinwheel Cycle Parts in Navarre, Ohio.
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