Powder coating wheels
 

I'm having both wheels on my 749 powder coated black by a local company. :D

They want the bare wheels, and I've been told that for the best job, the bearings are gonna have to come out.

I've got both wheels, discs and sprocket off, but how do I get the bearings out? Is there anything else I need to consider for the powder coating to turn out well?

I don't know if the 999/749 has the same type of spacer tube as the ST, but if it has it will look a bit like a tube with fins around it to keep it centred in the hub. This means that you can't wriggle it into an offset position to get a drift behind the wheel bearing.

But...the spacer will have a slot in one end and you should be able to get a long screwdriver or something like that in from the opposite end, angle the blade through the slot and gently tap the first bearing out from behind. Once you've got the first one out, simply remove the spacer and you'll have plenty of the inner face of the second bearing available to tap that one out as well. We're not talking brute force here, the bearing is just an interference fit into the housing so it shouldn't need a club hammer.

If all else fails, you may need to take a cold chisel to the outer race of the bearing and crack it out. It's case hardened so it's quite brittle when you've got through the case hardening...but for gawds sake be careful, it's easy for the chisel to slip and gouge up the bearing seat.

Jools you are a legend. :D Thanks mate.

The parts manual shows the same type of spacer tube (with fins), and I can see the slot, so I'll try to tap the bearing out. There are also what the parts manual refers to as vibration dampers (5 of them) in the wheel, I guess they are bushes I can tap out too?

Whilst on the subject of powder coating, do you reckon I should get the sprocket carrier coated at the same time? It'll mean the removal of more bearings and bushes! :o

They won't tap out :(

Any other suggestions please?

We powder coat alloy mtb frames but the only way we can get powder to stick well is to chemical etch first. this process actually eats metal away and we've got to allow for this in the cnc machine parts that hold headset and pivot bearings. The powder will get heated to about 180 degrees in the oven. Check how powder coater will prepare, some use a bead blast which can work ok and doesn't eat metal but it doesn't key as well. Make sure your powder coater knows what they are doing !!

You have to have them pressed out with a bearing press!

Also,once removed you will have to replace them with new ones so it gets a bit expensive.

I had mine painted with 2pack paint.The paint is less brittle than powder coat so when you replace tyres etc it wont chip.

Also saved me the hassle/expense of removing all those bloody bearings:D

So I can have the wheels painted at my regular painters? Is the finish more/less durable?

Im confused now :puzzled: I thought powder coating the wheels was the way to go :puzzled:

you can have them any way you choose there are quite a few different views on this across the board.
I recently had my frame and swing arm powder coated, but had my wheels painted (manly due to the fact that they are Magnesium and I didn't trust the powder coater to apply special materials to make it stick)
and Dymag wanted ridicules amount of money to do the job ?
sounds like you have already attacked the bearing any way so why not press on and do as you wanted to in the first place.
if you still want to powder them you will need to have them blasted first

The company was going to grit blast them first, but I'm unsure as which approach to use now. Do I definitely have to use new bearings once they're out?

I can probably get them painted for the same/cheaper, but I'm just wondering about the finish and how susceptible to chips and stuff either way :puzzled: ?

I have always had my wheels painted and i have never had any issues.

You would defo need to replace the bearing after they are pressed out, even if you thought you might get away with it...it is defo not something to risk!!

I chose the paint option purely because the finish is spot on, and the ease of it.
For any other bits and bobs (subframe etc...) i have powder coated for the same reason.

2 pack paint is softer, hence chips and fractures are unlikely whereas powdercoat is very brittle, thats why you see lots of little chip marks around the rim when the tyres have been changes a few times.

ok so as mentioned different strokes for different folks.
I believe powder to be a tougher coat than ordinary paint, IMO it would appear to be a much more durable finish.
spray paint is fine but could hardly be called tough just look at the front of most cars along the grill.
powder coat is the choice of most wheel manufacturers including dymag.
but prise from them as mentioned is not good, but most people will vouch for the quality of there finish.
to be honest which ever you go for will be fine. there are plenty of people with both types on the board. and each will say that what they have had done is best.

here is some discussion from a while back about which is best (or more appropriate)
http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/xm...2771#pid108193


[Edited on 5-5-2005 by keefer]

Different strokes for different folks indeed! After reading the other thread, I'm even more undecided :lol:

Its the replacement of the bearings thats pushing me away from powder coating, I dont even know how much replacement bearings are! A sleepless night ahead for me :(:lol:

Just to add to the confusion :D

I had my swing arm blasted and painted black. The frame was blasted and painted red, the wheels were rubbed down and painted red. The finish is great and now 18 months old.

Cheaper than powder coating and less hassle. May not be as durable as powder coat but ok so far. If I've still got the bike in a year or two and it's starting to look scaby I'll just have the parts painted again.

Not to worry, thats whats great about the board!

I'm gonna find out what the price different will be for spraying versus powder coating (with the associated costs of bearings etc), then make a decision :puzzled:

powder coat and shot blast on a frame and swing arm cost me £70

I'm getting a subframe and both wheels done for £60!! I thought it was a good deal, and they've got a good reputation around here.

there you go then I don't think you can get paint work that cheep,
unless you get it out of a halfords tin ;)

go powder. cos been there and done that and wish I went powder the first time round. and yes I had to put in new bearings which cost me £28 for the pair.

Been thinking about it during the day, gonna go with powder coating. Only wanna do them once, hopefully it'll be done right and I won't have to worry about them again!

I'll think of new bearings as a bonus?!!:o

[Edited on 5-5-2005 by khu996]

My apologies for picking up an old thread but that's what the search button is for.

I am about to remove my wheel bearings prior to powder coating.
On the speedo drive side there is a loose ring which engages with the speedo drive. How does this come out before I remove the bearings?

With a good pull?

Bearings out, wheels with powder coaters. I have to admit that I let a garage remove the bearings as I was struggling.
I have been looking at the bearings that were removed and they look and feel fine so not going to bother to replace.

Colin - did you tell him you wanted to reuse the bearings? Been a while since I changed mine but if he knocked them out by hitting the inner races they are probably ruined.

Glenn,
He used a press to get them out. There are no signs of any damage and they rotate smoothly with no play.

Depends where he made contact. You might not be able to feel the damge. Might be worth just checking that he pressed them out via the outer race.

for me I wouldnt re-use the wheel bearings on a sports bike and I would buy them from a bearing stockist not a m/c shop. I tell them what the application is and the bearing ref which is usually etched in the outer race face.

I get mine from http://www.ashleypower.co.uk/ but thats only because we use them at work and they deliver to the office.

Yesterday at the dirt bike show at Stoneleigh Park I saw a company specialising in sprucing up wheels http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/ I know they are only going to exhibit their best products but they looked fantastic.

NEW bearings fitted to the front wheel. I used the bearings in the freezer trick and I have to say they went in with very little effort.

I was not happy with the standard of the paint finish on the rear wheel and the powder coaters have agreed to strip it and re-paint it and I pick it up next Saturday.