Warped Wheel Advice?

[Fallout]

So the brakes on my new bike have been atrocious for a while. Basically binary brakes, on or off. I'd pull the lever, then it would stick and the brakes were hardly slowing me down, then I'd give it a good tug and would fly over the handle bars and skid down the road on my nadgers (almost).

I've ordered a calliper seals kit and am going to rebuild them anyway, but after a suggestion from Brock the Badger today, I did the ol' pen test when I got home. Put the bike on the paddock stand, whipped the callipers off and held a pen against the disk so it wouldn't move. Span the wheel and the pen rubbed, then was clear, rubbed then was clear. "Bum face!", I thought. Warped disk. Checked the other one, and it was exactly the same. Then decided to check the wheel, and it's more warped than Gary Glitter.

So it looks like I'm going to have to buy a new front wheel. I guess I'm after advice for what else I need to consider. Apparently I have a new front wheel bearing, which is probably the previous owners attempt to rectify the problem. Is it worth replacing the axle too? Anything else I need to consider if my front wheel is warped?

Btw, FECK! :smt072 :rolleyes:

[Thunderace]

Spindle is probs fine mate but worth a check, IMO buy it all new, then at least your not gonna be forever chasing problems, plus if you don't replace it all, one dodgy component could damage any new parts fitted!

Have a butchers at this!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GSXR750-GSXR-750-J-SLINGSHOT-FORKS-WHEEL-YOKES-COMPLETE-FRONT-END-SUIT-PROJECT-/221084453462?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3379a90a56

[Fallout]

There is a squeak when I spin the wheel though. Callipers and hugger off, so nothing is rubbing. Wheel spins ok and doesn't make any noticeable grinding noises or anything, but when it comes to a halt it stops with a squeak. To me that suggests either the spindle or bearing isn't 100%.

[DJ123]

Firstly i'd take it to a garage and see what they say. On the tyre balancing machine is should indicate the buckled wheel and how warped it is.
Is it badly buckled, or slightly out?

[Thunderace]

Could be any number of things, but after buying a wheel and discs, bearings and a spindle will seem very cheap! Try a reputable scrap dealer, unless you really wan't brand new bits!

btw I've put the right link in that last post.

[Fallout]

Buckled enough. I would say at least a few MM of side to side movement, and then a significant buckle downwards (3 or 4 mm) where the impact probably was. New wheels £350-£400, so I won't be buying new. Could take it to a garage and see if they have to say.

[Thunderace]

Bring it over and I'll take a ganders, ruined a few front ends in my time( I'm from Norfolk, potholes are 90% of the road surface up there mate)!;)

Have you checked that link, there will be a spindle in there and a wheel £150.

[Fallout]

Will probably get the new spindle and bearing too then, but it's going to have to be 2nd hand. Would rather take the punt on something not perfect then spend £500 on wheel, spindle, bearing etc. brand new. Will probably be able to keep the brake disks. Won't know till I've put them on a new wheel to see if they're actually straight.

May get some short term insurance on the SV and keep it for a bit until this is sorted.

[Fallout]

Could do Nath, but it's not fun to ride with the brakes trying to kill me. They were getting worse too.

[Thunderace]

Fair one, I would pop round to have a look but running short of fuel funds at the mo'!

[Thunderace]

Will probably get the new spindle and bearing too then, but it's going to have to be 2nd hand. Would rather take the punt on something not perfect then spend £500 on wheel, spindle, bearing etc. brand new. Will probably be able to keep the brake disks. Won't know till I've put them on a new wheel to see if they're actually straight.

May get some short term insurance on the SV and keep it for a bit until this is sorted.

Do it!!!!!!!!!!!:smt040

[Spank86]

find a pot hole, get the mrs to ring up the council and report it, ride into pot hole, ring council to complain and sue.

[SoulKiss]

Take them down to Maidstone and get Motoliner to have a look at it all.

They will tell you if they are bent and will repair if they can.

Cost me £85 to get the front wheel and bars straightened for the Zed after me chucking it down the road and using it as a pin-ball with a traffic island and the pavement.

[Fallout]

Bit of a trek for me SoulKiss but good shout anyway. Once i've confirmed it's the wheel that's the problem, I'll see if I can find someone closer who may be able to straighten it. I can get a replacement wheel for £120 second hand though, so keeping that as an option.

@Ad - I would be tempted to try that if I thought it'd work, especially since they already owe me for a car windscreen!

[SoulKiss]

You have no guarantees with a 2nd hand wheel (if eBay sourced)

Its not that far, hit the M25 then M20 and its just off the motorway

[Dabteacake]

just need big knackers to do motorway speeds with dicky brakes lol