Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

went over both rims entirely and found 1 crack on 1 side up front. can I re-tire and use this rim. yes, I may moto some with it. but I am 55 years old so dont plan any big air.[attachment=1]crack1.JPG

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1980 cr250

My rear D.I.D. and my spare rear D.I.D. both have worse cracks than that and have never given me any problems. I treat them like crap and they keep on turning. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

thats good to know......unfortunatly, I have found other problems recently.........missing 1 spoke, 2 others bent,a few more loose,(all right side) rim is well out of true and almost all old spokes frozen, LARGE flat spot at crack which is on both sides and now that I have tire off, I see that crack is at factory seam. fairly sure this rim is not worth $$'s for new spokes, trueing etc and hopes that it will stay together.............maybe save hub and rest is destin for pop can factory.................

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1980 cr250

always at the seam.

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80 CR250Ra
80 CR250Ra
78 CR250R
80 CR80
82 Bultaco Sherpa 340
78 Bultaco Pursang 250 MK12
76 Bultaco Frontera 370 MK10
76 Bultaco Alpina 250
73 Bultaco Lobito 125 MK6
76 Suzuki RM125A
90 Kawasaki KX250

is it prone to flat spotting there as well?

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1980 cr250

Unless you are a restroration guy, your best bet is often just to buy a second used wheel. I got my spare for $40. It too had a crack, but it was straight and had all its spokes.

thanks mitch I am going down that road....I have an 81 xr500 wheel arriving early next week. looks as if it will work. same axle and hub#'s, different seal to occomodate 81's axle mounted speedo mini gear box. got it for $55.00 shipped. wont be out much if I cant get it to work.

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1980 cr250

the 81 xr500 wheel, does not fit. still on the look out for an 80 rim...........new update: I have found a correct wheel with new tire.

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1980 cr250

Those DIDs can be repaired to look and perform like new.

All that's needed is to TIG weld the crack on both sides, then grind and sand it smooth.
To bring back the original look and protection, send the RIM to TCR for clear anodizing.
That process will duplicate the original clear satin finish. If you're going for the OE look,
finish up the job with a repro DID rim decal. For the later 80s look, Gold anodization can
be swapped for the clear. That's the process Honda used on their works bikes.

I have done this to dozens of these rims without a problem.

dogger

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1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

nice to know, thanks. this is going to be a rider, here is a little before and after so far.

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1980 cr250