Really bad luck lately, was out on the backroads this morning on my ZX-6R and a block of something fell off a truck up ahead and I couldn't avoid it. Both rims front and rear were dented pretty bad. Take a look, do I need to change out the axles, what else? I ordered two new OEM wheels and tires so far, $1760...ouch!

Front Wheel

Rear Wheel

* Last updated by: Kruz on 10/10/2014 @ 7:10 PM *

The rims could be salvaged. Throw them on ebay, describe the bumps with a few pics and off they go. Minor hit a good wheel man could press that right back with the right jig and all that. It's not bent enough to lose seal, pop off the rim, etc. I could rubber hammer that back with the tire still on.

Axle wise, most likely the shocks, tire, rim took up any bend that would have transferred into the axle. Yeah, one of those days. Took a nail on a fairly new tire and caught it being on the rack wiring up more spaghetti... and so it goes.

Ok Hub, if I'm reading you right, don't sweat further damage up the chain, neck, steering stem, forks, axle, triple clamps? Bolt up the new rims and tires and go?
Maybe I worry too much.

No loss of air pressure so far in either tire, rode it home about 50 miles, seemed pretty normal.

$1760...ouch!

Bolt up the new rims and tires and go?

Next is to unload the front fork axle, the pinch bolts, run the nut out just so much or if this is the threaded collar in the one fork, move to the axle side, watch for any wobble as you turn the axle out one full turn out, then turn it one full turn in. See any wheel sway at the top [of the tire] moving from one fork the the other?

With wheel off and you can swing the front end left to right, move the forks in the middle of the swing.
a. It sort of dropped into the dimple like a ball in a pinball machine hole.
b. Which now it rocks back and forth as it settles into that dimple: you let the bars go.
c. Or it does not and drops to the one side or the other and no dimple is present.

Really bad luck lately,

I was on the busa a couple weeks back and following a car, she pulled to the left of her lane...I should have known something was up...she should have hit the brake if she wanted to give me a warning. She ran over some kind of large crumpled sheet metal laying on the road and went I right over it too. Good thing it did not fly up after the car ran it over or I might have ate it. No damage.

1. Make this misfortune a little bit less bleak. Cancel the OEM order before they ship it. ..or send it back if the restock fee is not too bad. LOL I think you'll like these a little better as long as you don't go running over any more cinder blocks. Save the old wheels long enough to weigh them for comparison.

http://www.biohazardcycles.com/servlet/the-6340/CARROZZERIA-V-dsh-TRACK-VTRACK-WHEEL/Detail

2. You can pick up a dial gauge and magnetic base at Harbor Freught for under $30. Make a set of V blocks out of wood if you can't find a cheap set around town. You don't need anything fancy for V blocks. Steps 28-31 check your 6r S for specs.

http://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=FD2A4FD7-1372-66AE-3BACEDB7D6E3004F

3. Call realtor tomorrow and go look at some houses. Don't be crazy. This isn't going to happen again. If it does, you sell the bikes a few months after you move into your new home. Don't tie yourself down to your old place over this freak accident.

Damn that shows how tough a tire bead is. I can't believe it. The tire has to be the toughest part of the bike.

Sorry couldn't take your call later last night. On phone and putting kiddies to bed. call ya tomorrow early AM.

Honestly, I would even be willing to try and keep the rubber. Fix the wheels (replace or have straightened), check the axles for bends; and remount the tires. You'll know it if there is a shifted belt. no vibes, no shimmy, no wonky steering, same turn in both ways = good to go.

be happy you did the right thing and stayed on your bike

I guess my concern here Hub was those wheels both took an asymmetrical hit, as you can see only the left side of each wheel was dented, right side untouched, so a twisting moment on the front end.

I second that, forgot to mention in my post. GLAD to hear you stayed upright! nice save.

... you can see only the left side of each wheel was dented, right side untouched, so a twisting moment on the front end.

Notice your contact point on the tire is not across the width of the tire. Your whole bike deflected to that tipping point say. So as fast as that was, you most likely began to correct away from the impact. That deflection of the steering moved that off the center of the patch.

Again, when that wheel comes up, it's sending energy to both those forks 'equally' is my guess and things being equal in nature, that fork acts as one fork as the axle locks them both together as one. Just to clear all those parts, roll the axle or the floor or bench to see any movement. No movement, then all the energy went into the fork springs and the rims.

Yep, I think we'll be fine with new wheels and tires, 1Bad just called for first dibs on the old stuff and I told him to come get 'em. That old coot will make $$$$ off those wheels....bet on it.. Lol!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 10/11/2014 @ 8:16 PM *

Again, when that wheel comes up, it's sending energy to both those forks 'equally' is my guess and things being equal in nature, that fork acts as one fork as the axle locks them both together as one.

Same thing I was thinking.

Carrozzeria is the pioneer of forged aluminum wheels for motorcycles and the Carrozzeria V Track Forged Aluminum Wheels are lighter, stronger, more durable and longer lasting than any other motorcycle wheels available on the market.

Even though magnesium or carbon fiber wheels are lighter, when you think of your safety and durability, none of them even come close to Carrozzeria forged aluminum motorcycle wheels. Just ask any professional about the benefits of forged aluminum.

Carrozzeria forged aluminum motorcycle wheels are 20 - 40% lighter than stock depending on model. Reducing weight on a motorcycle will always make it accelerate, corner and brake better, but some weight reductions are much more valuable then others. Motorcycle weight can be classified in two ways: sprung or unsprung and rotating or non-rotating. Wheel weight is both unsprung and rotating, which is the most significant weight to remove.

Please Note: Rear wheels use Kawasaki bolt pattern sprockets:

http://store.58cycle.com/product_p/carro%20alum%20zx6r%2007.htm

^^same goes for the Carros I have for the 14. You can stay with the OEM sprocket and rear rotor and use OEM bolts and nuts. Front has a 6 hole pattern with smaller bolts (do not use OEM torque spec ...smaller bolt shank, aluminum threads....snap or stretch/strip hazard--rather stupid design IMHO--my only complaint). I believe it is the same pattern and bolt as used on a CBR. You'd need new front rotors. Carrazzeria 13" rotors are VERY light. They have no spec for warp but one of mine was out of spec when brand new by Kawasaki standards. No problem with handling. YES problem with harder braking....got a loud groan for quite some time. Not so bad now. They claim you should use organic compound pads because the scintered material is alloyed into the rotor. I had used scintered pads....probably took a long time bed in which was part of the groaning problem.

58 cycle had a great deal on CZ rims and rotors when I bought. Cheapest buy. There was a way to get extra $$ off but you need to call to ask about the discount code.

Carrazzeria. Quicker than diarrhea!

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/11/2014 @ 9:11 PM *

Thanks Rook, I'll check on canceling the order and picking up a set of the Rias, would be a nice upgrade to the 6R.

1Fat just called for first dibs on the old stuff and I told him to come get 'em.

If he's buying fooked rims he can have my front wheel for $50. It's not nearly bent as yours but bent enough to make a new tire egg shaped and twisted.

I think I'm going the CF route.

Motorcycles are too much of a money pit.

"I think I'm going the CF route".....Got a set right here for ya!PERFECT...gotta say...they're the EASIEST rims to work with...included are the rim protectors;)...only about 1K on the new rear sprocket...Vortex Aluminum...and ceramic bearings..installed.

I was a bit skeptical about aluminum sprockets...not any more.They really last very well with normal riding.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/12/2014 @ 8:11 PM *

NO ONE BOUGHT THOSE OFF YOU! WTF? Grab 'em , grab 'em

If I wasn't already making payments on my Ohlins.....if only....extended to the max as it is. damn.

Motorcycles are too much of a money pit.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/12/2014 @ 7:51 PM *

If he's buying fooked rims he can have my front wheel for $50. It's not nearly bent as yours but bent enough to make a new tire egg shaped and twisted.
I think I'm going the CF route.

What did you hit Hagrid? Next time that happens, call me and I'll come up there with my CSI kit....lol!

Hiya Kruz;)Glad ya survived that hit.Sheesh...that's a big one for sure;)

had a similar incident on my blackbird many years ago, an alloy wheel specialist sorted it no probs, wasnt even that expensive as far as i can remember! that bike on those rims have just returned from greece and has clocked well in excess of 100,000miles!
glad u are ok buddy!

jafo

Hello Jafo, thanks for weighing in with your experience, it sounds like your guy did a great job repairing those rims.

Hiya Kruz;)Glad ya survived that hit.Sheesh...that's a big one for sure;)

Thanks Grn, I was lucky not to go down. I'm looking at having a new home built out in the country side north of the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex, great riding up there and lots of twisty back roads only minutes away. That was my first ride up there and it kind of shook me up to have this happen out there. My kids are telling me this is a sign not to build up there and time to quit riding motorcycles. This has got me rethinking everything I'm afraid.

There's ALWAYS something to try and get in the way of our dreams...you know.I wouldn't necessarily consider hitting something in the road as a sign or anything...hell...it fell off a truck...that's all.If there's a message in THAT...it might be...STOP TAILGATINGLOL!!!!!!!Build yer house..keep riding...it's YOUR dream and YOUR life...sa'll cool...

Whenever I get behind a truck hauling ANYTHING...I pass as soon as I can....or a car for that matter...Had em pull over to the shoulder before to let me go by...nice of em...BUT...the shoulder often has the road debris right there.Had big azz rocks fly up and right by me a time or two.If they'd of hit me...it wouldn't have been pretty(at 70 mph).Stay safe...