Be Aware of the Impact of Wheel Rim Repair: It Can Make Them More Prone to Denting Again
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The pressing method is often a quick solution when a motorcycle rim is dented after hitting a pothole. However, behind the restored appearance, there are consequences that vehicle owners need to understand.
Repairing with the pressing technique, especially those involving heat, can impact the rim’s durability in the long term.
Iwan Setiawan, owner of BJ Press Motor, a specialist in motorcycle rim and fork repair in Tanah Baru, Beji, Depok, believes that the durability of the rim after being pressed is not always as good as new.
According to Iwan, exposure to heat during the repair process can change the material and structure of the rim.
“Yes, it makes it softer because the material becomes more malleable. At most, if the crack is in the middle, applying metal adhesive is safe. Patching with metal adhesive is safer,” said Iwan.
A similar view was expressed by Wahyu Budhi, Training Analyst at PT Wahana Makmur Sejati, an official Honda motorcycle dealer in the Jakarta-Tangerang area.
He explained that the pressing process, especially those using heat, can potentially change the metal structure.
This means that even though the rim looks normal visually, its durability can decrease. This risk will be felt when the motorcycle hits a damaged road again. Rims that have undergone structural changes are more prone to denting again.
“After pressing, check if the rotation is still stable. An unbalanced rim can cause the motorcycle to vibrate and the tires to wear unevenly,” he said.
Motorcycle owners need to consider the level of damage, the method used, and the quality of the workmanship.
In some cases, especially if the damage is severe or in the outer area of the rim, replacing the unit with a new one may be a safer option to maintain comfort and driving safety.
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