Wheel rim advice

[Catz]

My first problem that i've come across on my A10.
Taking the rear wheel off for a new tyre and came across cracks in the rim at the base of 8 spokes, two of which have cracked all the way through. My feeling is that the others aren't far behind.
Had my tyre man say he'd never seen that before and an old friend with a couple of BSA's said the same but reckoned it could be fixed without the need for a new rim.
What do you knowledgeable lot reckon? Thanks in advance.
WP_20221004_09_47_47_Pro by XJR1200 TIGER, on Flickr
WP_20221004_09_50_05_Pro by XJR1200 TIGER, on Flickr

[JulianS]

That rim is scrap. Metal fatigue. A safety issue.

There have been a number of cases of cracked stainless rims, usually those in the lower price range.

Photo shows a cracked Radaelli stainless rim on my A10 in 2012, wheel rebuilt using a new rim, slightly thicker metal, from Devon Rim Company and no problems since.

[Spaceman]

I have literally dealt with dozens of classic bike rims and never seen a crack in any despite many of them being in very poor condition and at least 50 years old. The only cracked rims I've seen have been on modern alloy rims.

It's difficult to see why they might have cracked - it may have been due to the quality of the steel used; it may have been due to a problem with the way the wheel was built; or it may have been due to the way the bike was used. You can't safely ride with cracks in the rim and, without knowing what caused the cracking, using a repaired rim might carry a risk and I doubt if it would be cost effective.

[Mike Farmer]

 

Gotta say, Ive never seen anything like that either. If the spokes were causing it I figure they would break first. However it is almost certainly stress fracture. It could be impact fracture. The cause would probably be the same. Ive been trying to figure where you would have to impact the rim to cause it, cos you need to produce an outward force at the fracture point, so something like 90 deg around the rim. Defective rim, should have shown up earlier.

I dont think it would be an easy repair whichever. Unless you are prepared to braze it in postion which would mean brazing the spoke in place.

So---in truth no idea really

With my lfe sitting on those little bits of metal I would be very chary about a repair.

Best of etc. Please keep us upsides on this one.

Mike

[Catz]

Thanks for the replies lads. I value your experience and i know how safety critical it is and i'm going to get a new rim. Piddling about just isn't worth it.
I've been on the Devon Rim Company website and i'm lost there and also been on the Central Wheel Components website and what i need to know now is what size is the hub. I haven't got a clue.
Anyone? It a 1960 A10 with 19" wheels with 40 spokes.

[Spaceman]

Presumably, you are looking for a set of spokes as well as the rear rim? For CWC, you simply need to phone them and tell them what you need and what bike it is for before placing the order.

[Catz]

Can i use the spokes that are with the wheel? Looks like they are still in good nick.

[Spaceman]

It's probably not a good idea to reuse old spokes because you don't know how strong they are now having been under tension and subject to fatigue over, possibly, many many years of life. The other practical problem normally is that some of the threads may be too corroded to allow the nipples to be unscrewed without damaging them. Having said that, the nipples and spokes look to be in reasonable condition and may not be that old? Are they SS?

[Catz]

Yes they are SS. I appreciate where you're coming from and may well go with new spokes.

[Mike Farmer]

 

For the difference in the overall price I wouldnt bother with the old ones. Plenty of good wheel builders around.

Mike

[Catz]

Thanks, appreciated. I'll go with that.
The more i look into this bike the more gremlins i'm uncovering.  I've repaired a few Japs and this is my first Brit.

[chaz]

Thanks for the replies lads. I value your experience and i know how safety critical it is and i'm going to get a new rim. Piddling about just isn't worth it.
I've been on the Devon Rim Company website and i'm lost there and also been on the Central Wheel Components website and what i need to know now is what size is the hub. I haven't got a clue.
Anyone? It a 1960 A10 with 19" wheels with 40 spokes.

give DRC a phone call, they sorted out our special problems.

[bikerbob]

There was an article in the Star some years ago about stainleess rims cracking.

[Catz]

Good article. Looks like DRC could be ones to go with. Thanks to all of you who recommend DRC.
I'm still waiting for my membership pack and number before i can access The Star articles.

[EDDIE SIMPSON]

looking at the cracked rim in the photo i immediately thought of the metal being too thin and the article confirms that. radelli rims have had a poor reputation for years. nicknamed rust-ellis for another reason.