hit a huge rock on the highway

[johnnys11]

Hey guys so its about my second seeking riding my 04 gs500 and on the way to work I ran over a huge rock on the parkway. As I'm switching lanes to exit I hit it and didn't have time to maneuver around it. Long story short I'm lucky I was able to maintain control. But now my front rim has a huge dent and I have to get it towed. Just wondering where I can get a front wheel for a good price orrr if it possible to straighten it out somehow?

[Badot]

Post a want ad in the "For Sale / For Trade / Wanted / Hot Deals". Should be a lot of them floating around between members. If not, ebay.

Don't try to bend it back, every time it bends it weakens and you don't want to lose a chunk of wheel instead of bending one again if there's a next time.

[johnnys11]

ok thanks will do that. does anyone know what other front wheels will fit on tbe gs500f? or the size

[Big Rich]

Early Katana wheels fit - look around on eBay. They look identical to the GS500 wheels, but don't have the plastic dust cap covering the rotor holes on the left side.

[AnonRider]

I see them all day on Ebay for 60 including a tire. I would link you but I'm on a phone atm.

[johnnys11]

From what year will they fit?

[adidasguy]

GS500 wheels are the same for all years except for color.
89-96 = white
97-00 = gray
01-02 = silver
04+ = black

Knowing that, you can change your wheel colors. I put 89-96 white rims on my '089 and she looks much better.

Pinwall cycle on ebay is a good seller for GS500 parts.

[gsJack]

My 97 wheels are a metallic gray but my 02 wheels are an ugly black not silver.

[johnnys11]

Ok I just ordered a wheel from a 93 its white but I'm going to paint it black. Another question I have is that I didn't pop my tire, just bent the rim really bad. Should I replace the tire as well due the impact? Or is it fine.

[Badot]

Not a tire expert here, someone else should probably chime in before you take this for fact, but I would say clean the tire off real good to get rid of any residue then see if you can find where the rock hit it. Don't forget to flex it around a little while you do so. Unless you can find damage on it aside from a little scuffing, it should be good to go.

[robfriedenberger]

uhh well a tire guy would say replace it you just never know.....what i would do on the other hand is a different story all together.

If and only if it passes a visual inspection, after a good cleaning.
I'd mount the tire, take it slow the next 250 miles or so and increase speed as you go, I doubt you did any damage but you could of stretched it or broke a belt internally. If there is an issue you'll feel it around 35MPH, I may have experienced this once before 

[The Buddha]

The tire is prolly fine. Unless you see it pinched or cut.
Cool.
Buddha.

[BockinBboy]

I'd check the bead line for any pinches or knicks that may keep it from sealing or cause it to leak.  I had a tubeless bicycle tire from which had a bent and broken rim - after replacing the rim, the tire itself wouldn't hold air for more than a day because of the tiniest knick on the edge of the bead.  From this experience, I probably wouldn't chance it on a motorcycle front tire even though my head says its probably fine.  Loosing pressure would be a really bad deal on motorcycle's front tire.

You could do as rob suggested if you don't think like me - I would just add to that procedure, checking the pressure often.

Also, just because this is still the internet - I'd ask a tire guy face to face to donate his knowledge to you on the matter

- Bboy

[johnnys11]

I guess the safe way would be to get a new tire. the tire on it is the Bridgestone bt45 so ill replace it with that tire.

next question Is where do you guys get your tires for the best price??

[gsJack]

It varies quite a bit from time to time because different retailers get different wholesale prices from tire makers based on volume, etc.  But AMT is best I've looked at lately and always amongst the leaders.

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

Superstore is good too.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/123/MNGR/Motorcycle-Tires.aspx?SITEID=Google_SiteLinks1_motorcycle_superstore&WT.mc_ID=10001&WT.srch=1&esvt=GOUSE340207156&esvadt=999999-0-3977500-1&esvid=333785&gclid=CIG4x46xhbYCFZFaMgodsWcA3w

Others will have their preferences too.  Keep in mind if find a wheel on ebay or other source they frequently come with tires on them.

[robfriedenberger]

I highly recommend bikebandit they 2day shipped my tires for free and since they had a distro near my I had it with in a day!


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[johnnys11]

thanks, seems like americanmototire has the best deal. but damn this stupid rock is hurting my pocket lol