Who Straightens Bent Borranis or Akronts?

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xbacksideslider

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I made the mistake of looking in my mirror for my friends and not watching the road . . . . with this result - see pic below.

I obtained a new, imitation/Chinese rim in 2.5 x 19 at a great price but I have second thoughts. I really do want to keep/repair my bent 2.15 x 19 Borrani; it matches my rear rim and it's lighter than the Chinese knock off.

I've found several places that straighten cast MC wheels using automotive rim repair tooling. Those machines don't work for wire wheels because they hold the wheel, and apply fulcrum force, across the wheel bearings/axle and on through the robust cast spokes. Can't do that with wire spokes.

I have also communicated with some other places, including Buchannan's here in SoCal, and they all are tentative to pessimistic about being able to straighten this rim. They do allow that if they can't do it, then they can sell me a new authentic re-pop Borrani rim/rebuild . . . .

I have heard of straightening valenced (or flanged) aluminum rims by making hard wood patterns in the shape of the wheel's arc and then using the two patterns to straighten the wheel by press/heavy hammer.

Instead of me making patterns, maybe someone else already has some, or even does it commercially?
 

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You’ll know youve made the wrong decision when it fractures at 100 km/h (62 mph).
 
I believe that once you've damaged aluminium that badly that straightening it will only end in tears.
As lazyeye and tyborg said, scrap it and get a good new one.
Cheers
Rob
 
That rim is hurting I think any fixing will still leave it as a gimp. You need to remove the tire and the spokes to get a true assessment of the damage.
Cheers,
Thomas
 
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Absolutely not worth the risk. Alloy doesnt like to be "rebent" in my experience.
New rim is just money.
 
i have straightened rims that have had a slight dink but your rim is too far gone don't risk it mate
 
My first impression was to add my name to the list of "let's not".

(In the photo it is hard to tell if it is just the flange that is bent or if the wheel is no longer round)

But I find it interesting that somebody straightens cast wheels. What alloys are we talking about in the cast wheel compared to your Borrani?

It might be comparing apples to oranges and all that but I would contact Kent White at Tinman Technologies. They are really about alloy auto bodies and aircraft but I've never had a communication with him that didn't reveal interesting stuff.

https://www.tinmantech.com/education/ask-a-metalworking-expert/
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll inquire of Woodys and see what they say. If they are pessimistic then it Buchanan's as they are nearby
 
May not be worth the expense by the time you have dismantled the wheel, straighten out the rim by some skilled dude with juices use of the mallet –and heat! -How much is your life worth?:(
 
You still running Super Venom tires on your bike?:eek: They got to be over ten years old.

No, that tire is not too old, yet. The AM 18 Super Venoms are still made, albeit for racing, and are imprinted "non-DOT for off road use only." They're for sale on ebay right now. Expensive but up front it has given long mileage and, being softer, it works great. Yes, it has lost something to heat cycling/drying out but there's still some mileage in it and in terms of traction, it may remain the equal of a new DOT legal Roadrider; the pictured tire dates to 2015. I installed it for a track day in late 2015 along with a hard compound non-dot AM18 for the rear. Loved the tires so much that I bought another non-DOT for the rear. Now it's dead too. At least 2:1.

Woody's Wheel Works did a great job; I wanted to keep my period correct Borrani, instead of a re-pop. Rode the bike and the straightened wheel during the recent SoCal Norton club's Hansen Dam ride.

I'll post a picture.
 
xback,
Looking forward to seeing the picture of the repair. What did it cost for Woody's repair?
Cheers,
Thomas
 
I seem to remember Borrani rims being softer than Akronts. That is better IMHO. I don't think you'll have any problem with the repair holding good.
 
I made the mistake of looking in my mirror for my friends and not watching the road . . . . with this result - see pic below.

Instead of me making patterns, maybe someone else already has some, or even does it commercially?

so its been 3 months; have you made any progress on this repair?
 
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