Front wheel replacement

[thfrider]

Ok, I did something really stupid tonight.  I was removing my front wheel bearings and thought I was hitting the bearing when I was actually hitting my wheel.  Broke the race in two places.  Where's the best place to get a replacement wheel.  It's a 98 tourer.

[Harryc]

Ebay ...

[Cracker Jack]

When you say you "broke the race", does that mean you broke pieces out of the bottom of the bearing socket? That's what I would expect the way you describe what you were doing.

If that's the case, maybe the wheel is still useable. If the bearing is still tight in the socket, the remaining "bottom stop" will position the bearing correctly as far as depth is concerned. If any of the remaining part is bent down into the socket keeping the bearing from going all the way in, just remove that part with a dremel or something.

[thfrider]

Yes, that is correct.  I broke that lip that the bearing rests on in two places about 3/8" wide.  I'm worried that the integrity of the wheel may be compromised, but as you stated there is no pressure on that area and the rest of the wheel is really thick in that area.  I just don't want the wheel to come apart as I'm going down the road.

[h13man]

As long as the remaining lip isn't cracked you should be good as the actual side load is on the spacer not on any part of the wheel.

[old2soon]

Ok, I did something really stupid tonight.  I was removing my front wheel bearings and thought I was hitting the bearing when I was actually hitting my wheel.  Broke the race in two places.  Where's the best place to get a replacement wheel.  It's a 98 tourer.

I admit I AM computer illiterate and I'm not capable of what I'm asking you to do BUT can you maybe post pictures/photos of the damaged area. Both sides. Picture thousand words yada yada. RIDE SAFE.

[thfrider]

Not a computer guy, don't really know how to do that, but I'll try.

[Highbinder]

I've chipped a couple of wheels that way myself, basically that lip is to stop you from driving the new bearing in too far.. as long as you didn't crack the area that holds the bearing you are good to go...I never had a problem with either wheel due to chipping a piece off the stop.

[thfrider]

Ok, it's about 1/2" gaps on opposite sides and cracks about 1/4" beyond those.  If I cleaned it up I will have gaps about 3/4" to 1".  Not feeling really comfortable with that.

[h13man]

Well if you decide to replace it I'll take the old off your hands. Want refinish my wheels and I could use this one as experimental wheel.

[Tfrank59]

You may be able to reuse it but me personally I'd be pricing a replacement wheel for the reason you stated – don't want that thing to grenade on you going down the road.