Wheel restoration

[allber]

Been going over the new Valk and found that the paint is flaking badly on both wheels and the exposed metal is badly corroded.  Tried to clean it up a bit with steel wool, but not much luck.  Does anyone "restore" these wheels?  Or, would anyone know where I could find new aftermarket wheels?  I looked around at the internet stores but couldn't find anyone who makes/sells wheels for the Valk.
Also, thanks to everyone who suggested ClearView Shields for the replacement windshield.  It was delivered today, less than 72 hours after placing the order!

[SideCar]

Dave from Frisco can jump in re the powder coating he had done.

Hard6 in LA had some chrome wheel source, too.

[paul]

I would check around your area for a metal polishing shop,,they can make the stock wheels shine like chrome next time you do a tire change...?? Just a thought..good luck..

[Disco]

Hi Allber,

The fastest, easiest, fix would be to go chrome from Hard6.  http://www.ssmotorcycle.com/  This could be the least expensive fix, too, depending on what your time is worth, how much of the other processes you can and want do at home, your proximity to commercial polishers / platers / powdercoaters, how much frustration you can withstand, etc...

Another option would be to purchase a pair of used wheels (+/- $300.00), prepare them in your choice of finish, install new bearings, and then do a quick swap of rotors and tires.  Your bike would be down for only as long as it takes to swap out. 

Any fix of your wheels is going to require removal of all of the remaining clearcoat.  For the sake of completeness and safety to other pieces, off and out come the wheels / tires / rotors / valve stems / bearings and then grease removal (I did it with aerosol gunk and a self-service carwash).  It's not hard, but the project gets big rather quickly. 

This thread mentions using Easy-Off oven cleaner to remove the coating from rotors.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=1060.0  I don't know if it would work on the wheels, but would be cheap to try.  If it doesn't work, media blasting would both remove the clearcoat and leave a surface easier to polish.  Post-polish, you can maintain with polish and/or wax sealers, or you can go back with clearcoat.  Kinda like Honda.

If you go powdercoat, they will probably want to sandblast to provide a rougher surface for powder to grab onto.  The guys I used, Custom Powdercoating in Dallas (GM John is an old MC friend), did not recommend clear powdercoat over polished aluminum. 

When I got my 2000 in 2007, the uncoated wheels had been allowed to corrode and pit slightly.  They weren't terrible, but they were by far the worst cosmetics on my bike.  With the wheels still on the bike, I tried the Mother's Powerball + polish method, but that was not aggressive enough, was taking forever, and I couldn't reach the entire wheel (it did great on the rotors, though).  I switched to sand paper and got better results, but couldn't reach the entire wheel.  Out of frustration with the polishing process and the future need - even if minimal - to maintenance-polish aluminum or chrome, I chose a 2-step Sparkle Silver + Clear powdercoat.  They look like freshly sandblasted aluminum with a bit of sparkle in the sunlight and thick clear on top.  I sacrificed sheen for really easy to clean.  That wasn't necessary, but they are a little different. 

Come to think of it, they are almost the color of road film.     That must explain the tan Explorer in the driveway and why dirt-colored tan carpet is so popular... 

Hope this helps,

DFG

For additional info, this thread about aftermarket wheels was on the Tech Board last month.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,2486.0.html

Here are some videos about polishing.

Polishing Rims  How to Polish a Valkyrie Wheel 

[SideCar]

Man, that's a good, thorough post.  Dave's got me wanting to go work on my wheels.

[allber]

Hi Allber,

The fastest, easiest, fix would be to go chrome from Hard6.  http://www.ssmotorcycle.com/  This could be the least expensive fix, too, depending on what your time is worth, how much of the other processes you can and want do at home, your proximity to commercial polishers / platers / powdercoaters, how much frustration you can withstand, etc...

Another option would be to purchase a pair of used wheels (+/- $300.00), prepare them in your choice of finish, install new bearings, and then do a quick swap of rotors and tires.  Your bike would be down for only as long as it takes to swap out. 

Any fix of your wheels is going to require removal of all of the remaining clearcoat.  For the sake of completeness and safety to other pieces, off and out come the wheels / tires / rotors / valve stems / bearings and then grease removal (I did it with aerosol gunk and a self-service carwash).  It's not hard, but the project gets big rather quickly. 

This thread mentions using Easy-Off oven cleaner to remove the coating from rotors.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=1060.0  I don't know if it would work on the wheels, but would be cheap to try.  If it doesn't work, media blasting would both remove the clearcoat and leave a surface easier to polish.  Post-polish, you can maintain with polish and/or wax sealers, or you can go back with clearcoat.  Kinda like Honda.

If you go powdercoat, they will probably want to sandblast to provide a rougher surface for powder to grab onto.  The guys I used, Custom Powdercoating in Dallas (GM John is an old MC friend), did not recommend clear powdercoat over polished aluminum. 

When I got my 2000 in 2007, the uncoated wheels had been allowed to corrode and pit slightly.  They weren't terrible, but they were by far the worst cosmetics on my bike.  With the wheels still on the bike, I tried the Mother's Powerball + polish method, but that was not aggressive enough, was taking forever, and I couldn't reach the entire wheel (it did great on the rotors, though).  I switched to sand paper and got better results, but couldn't reach the entire wheel.  Out of frustration with the polishing process and the future need - even if minimal - to maintenance-polish aluminum or chrome, I chose a 2-step Sparkle Silver + Clear powdercoat.  They look like freshly sandblasted aluminum with a bit of sparkle in the sunlight and thick clear on top.  I sacrificed sheen for really easy to clean.  That wasn't necessary, but they are a little different. 

Come to think of it, they are almost the color of road film.     That must explain the tan Explorer in the driveway and why dirt-colored tan carpet is so popular... 

Hope this helps,

DFG

For additional info, this thread about aftermarket wheels was on the Tech Board last month.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,2486.0.html

Here are some videos about polishing.

Polishing Rims  How to Polish a Valkyrie Wheel[/url 

Now Dave, that's what I call a response!  Almost information overload for more or less "simple folk" like me.  But, I did what you said in the 1st paragraph.  I called  Hard6 and had a half-hour conversation with him about my new Valk.  Since I live only 120 miles from him, the plan is for me to ride down there, wife will follow in the car, and leave the bike with him long enough to remove, exchange re-install the wheel(s).  While there, he said he'd carefully inspect the bike and take care of any other defugalties.  Certainly seems like a knowledgable guy and very pleasant to talk to.  Thanks very much for the info!

[Six Guns]

J.P. (Hard6) is a stand up guy and will treat you right. I have a set of his chrome wheels and am very satisfied with them. He knows his way around a valkyrie and is an all around good guy. Tell him Six Guns said hello.           

[godfire]

Man, that's a good, thorough post.  Dave's got me wanting to go work on my wheels.

Hey Sidecar,
You can practice on mine, when do you want me to drop them off?
gf 

Great post Blood and Guts!