Is there any fixing a bent wheel?

[markmartin]

The wheel has been repaired and is back on the bike.  $100 for repair.  Aside from the slight bubbling of the powder coat where the wheel was heated, I wouldn't be able to tell where the damage was.

The front end still wobbles when I let go of the bars, but this may have been like this before I bent the wheel. I'm going the change the steering  stem bearings and see what that does.

[Capn Ron]

The front end still wobbles when I let go of the bars, but this may have been like this before I bent the wheel. I'm going the change the steering  stem bearings and see what that does.

Having everything proper in the front end is always a good idea and changing the headset bearings...and adjusting them correctly certainly won't hurt.

In my experience, a low-speed front end wobble...throttle-off slight deceleration...while lightening the grip on the bars is caused by a cupped front tire.  When I experienced it, it was after my full rebuild...I had already replaced headset and wheel bearings and adjusted them properly.  After I felt the wobble on my first test ride, I put on new tires and an RPM fork brace and headed across teh country without a wobble!   

Cap'n Ron. . .

[markmartin]

Thanks for mentioning that Ron.  I think that the wobble was there this spring with a new tire, but I can't remember really - I hit that road hazard pretty early in the year, maybe the wobble was only after that and maybe now I have bad wear on my tire because of the bent wheel. 

I've been meaning to replace the head bearings anyway, it's the only bearings on the bike that haven't been replaced with new. I  noticed some shuddering while braking down a very steep driveway earlier this year.... it's time, needed or not.   Finding the cause of the wobble will be a process of elimination.  If it were easier, I'd throw a new tire on and check out your theory because that could definitely be the only problem.

[rktmanfj]

If you hit the front hard enough to bend the wheel, you should probably loosen the triples and make sure everything is true and straight before retightening.

[movenon]

Thanks for mentioning that Ron.  I think that the wobble was there this spring with a new tire, but I can't remember really - I hit that road hazard pretty early in the year, maybe the wobble was only after that and maybe now I have bad wear on my tire because of the bent wheel. 

I've been meaning to replace the head bearings anyway, it's the only bearings on the bike that haven't been replaced with new. I  noticed some shuddering while braking down a very steep driveway earlier this year.... it's time, needed or not.   Finding the cause of the wobble will be a process of elimination.  If it were easier, I'd throw a new tire on and check out your theory because that could definitely be the only problem.

Got some of the same problems after my mods (before the lay down).. I was thinking it was because I raised the rear end up to much. Along with now having to fix the bike I am replacing the head bearings and doing as complete as I can inspection of the front end. No big problems found yet. Wondering if worn fork bushings can be a cause. Mine seem to be tight, but... I haven't pull them apart yet.
No answers, just scratching my head looking into the digital camp fire...   
George

[markmartin]

If you hit the front hard enough to bend the wheel, you should probably loosen the triples and make sure everything is true and straight before re tightening.

Thanks.  I loosened the top triples to adjust the stem nut but not the bottoms.  It'll check it out when I remove the forks to install new bearings.

I was thinking it was because I raised the rear end up to much.

I'm set up so the rear tire just barely touches on the center stand.  It's the same height and tire as last year and it didn't used to wobble.