Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad (Update) Bad again...

[Ramseybella]

I bought this 2012 with the Woody's wheels 18x21" configuration to me it was perfect for my size 6'3" great handling on the dirt decent on the road and looks cool.
Now that I have had this setup for 15800 miles I had to replace the rear rim, (Wood's sent me a new one) Why you ask? :
Well it developed small cracks around the spoke nipple seats about over a dozen to be exact and was getting a little iffy to ride.
After receiving the new rim (and it is a custom drilled by Woody's at the precise angle to the hub so you just can't buy a rim and do it up).
Looking over the holes drilled me and my mechanic noticed the inside of the indentations for the location the spoke nipples to seat into they have been dremeled wider and deeper to accommodate the base of the larger stainless spoke nipples conclusion, they have carved out way to much aluminum for the seat leaving it a bit thin on material for all the torque the spokes are going to place upon them.
In short no doubt these will crack again no more rowdy dirt riding for me I will have to ride like a GS 1200 weekend rider now. :'(
One more thing to mention that leaves me to believe Woody's should stop offering this Mod on the Tenere is the rear wheel 18" rim is to large in diameter along with a 140/80-18 tire it has rubbed the aluminum in the crotch of my swing arm to a paper thin spot, not a big spot but is will break through eventually.
How did this happen you ask?
When the tire heats up it expands not much space between the rubber and the swing arm to begin with so a new tire touches it when it heats up and swells. ::010::

I have been praising this set up for some time and a few guys have done this Mod it was a great idea but now I say no way is it worth the cost, I am looking for some OEM rims and front Hub and rotors. HELP!!! ::003::

PIX on ADVrider forum>> http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=977565

NOTE!! Please disregard the comment on ADV that Excel is building a thicker rim, it's the same rim no different than what I took off..
Not out to beat up Woody's Wheels works and the work they do just want to let folks know what my experience has been.

 

[scott123007]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Bad..

Good idea going back to 17" tubeless OEM, but JMHO, I'd keep the 21" front.

 

[Ramseybella]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Bad..

Good idea going back to 17" tubeless OEM, but JMHO, I'd keep the 21" front.

17 rear and 21 front?
Sounds like I will be riding a chopper then..

 

[True Grip]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

If you like the 21 front I'd put a 17 on the rear and try it. Can't hurt. My guess is it will be hard to tell a difference.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

17" and a dogbone lift...

 

[Ramseybella]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

17" and a dogbone lift...

:-\

 

[Anders79_SWE]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

I also want to get a set of 18/21 wheels but I am getting a worried now, has anyone else got the sam problem with busted rims and whell rubbing against the swing arm?

 

[Ramseybella]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

I also want to get a set of 18/21 wheels but I am getting a worried now, has anyone else got the same problem with busted rims and wheel rubbing against the swing arm?

I have posted this first on the ADVrider Forum it quickly fell into the black hole of back pages, it may have had one reply "Bummer".. :-\.
I know JaimeV had this set up on his Tenere for a short time I was hoping he could back me up on the swing arm rubbing, I know he had issues with his front forks hitting the skid plate so he pulled the rims..
Wasp had this set up as well but he fell into the black hole as well..
I can say this was a disappointment it worked so well with this bike, I have no knobby's on it at this time that is the culprit the Duel sport tire are lower profile.
But the Knobs is what made this set up shine.. :-[

 

[Zepfan]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

What mods to accommodate taller rims? Running 21's is a bunch of work isn't it? How's the handling?

I have Woody's Excell rims stock size front and back.
Had some sealing issues and I hit a monster Mexican Pot Hole and severely dented my front and less on the rear. GLAD I WAS RUNNING EXCELL or the STOCK would have folded.
Sent front in to repair. Woody's found crack. Replaced rim and didn't charge for lacing ! These guy's care about customer service ! A RARE QUALITY.
Rear needs to go in next for small dent repair and rim seal failed. ( air leaking around nipples, 10 psi / day )

Woody's #1. The bummer is the shipping and WAITING part.

 

[Ramseybella]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

What mods to accommodate taller rims? Running 21's is a bunch of work isn't it? How's the handling?

I have Woody's Excell rims stock size front and back.
Had some sealing issues and I hit a monster Mexican Pot Hole and severely dented my front and less on the rear. GLAD I WAS RUNNING EXCELL or the STOCK would have folded.
Sent front in to repair. Woody's found crack. Replaced rim and didn't charge for lacing ! These guy's care about customer service ! A RARE QUALITY.
Rear needs to go in next for small dent repair and rim seal failed. ( air leaking around nipples, 10 psi / day )

Woody's #1. The bummer is the shipping and WAITING part.

I like the configuration it's a little different at highway speeds but not a problem your not GP racing with them. In the dirt with knobby's the Tenere grips like a Cougar.
Yes the 21" does rub on the crotch of the swing arm especially with off road rubber or K60's as they seem to have a higher profile, I am planning on patching the whole once it happens.

My rims have tubes new rim so far shows no cracks but I have been running PIRELLI SCORPION MT 90/AT's for the street so no more Yahooing off road but my experience with Pirelli tires in the past they tend to get a little greasy feeling near the end of life, not many choice for Dual sport tires at 18"x21".
Stay away from 18" on this bike, I like the 17" with a dog bone extender idea but right now it's all about $$$$$$ or if it will open a whole new can of worms.

 

[Bushyar15]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

Wow, I'm glad I saw your post. I was putting a Woody's Wheel mod on my wish list… reckon' I'll just leave my stockers alone!

 

[Ramseybella]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad UPDATE..

Update!!

So having had rim #2 start to get cracks with no knobby tire and no aggressive riding, I had a long conversation with Woody.
HE has had other issues with this configuration on other big Dual bikes and has informed me he will fix the issue dropping down to 17" rim stainless spokes and a 150 tubeless K-60 all for free.
This guy has the old school motto "if my work is screwed up I will fix it no questions". ::008::

The 18" Excel cannot handle this configuration it rubs on the swing arm and causes torque on the rim and spokes.
In short it destroys the rim! :'(

 

[dcstrom]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

17" and a dogbone lift...

I have the Wasp 1" raising links if you want them Ramseybella...

 

[Ramseybella]

Re: Woody's Wheels Works Good and Real Bad..

I have the Wasp 1" raising links if you want them Ramseybella...

Cool let's see how this fits together I will give update.
Thank you my friend.. ::003::

 

[Ramseybella]

Well after ten months the 17" wheel has developed 10 cracks in the same location as the first two 18" did.
Contacted Woody's and as a true gent he is free shipping back to him and just replace the rim with the stock Yamaha rim.
I am bumming on this as the Excel looked like a winner, not the case.
Not that the Yam rim is any better but I don't do any hell raising with this bike surely the Excel should have worked.
Any of you guys have advice on what spokes I should have him install while he has it on the bench.
I will now have a black rim and a 21" aluminum on the front Ugg? :'(
I seem to be the only guy who has this issue out of the small handful who has installed this mod.

 

[Ramseybella]

Shipping the rim off Friday, had to burn off the 705 Shinko!
Having Woody spoon on a 805 Shinko, lets hope this will be it.. ::003::

 

[Ramseybella]

New wheel back with ST stock on rear with a Shinko 805, sort of crazy looking black and bare aluminum.
Woody is the man as well as Chris, I wish the rim well.
If you don't see anymore of me on this post means the issue has been laid to rest. ::002::

To you Woody and Chris at Woody's Wheels Works!! ::003::