I built this on a VM-22

[AMCjeepCJ]

Check out my new wheel on my new machine!! This is the greatest thing out there for wheels without spending a fortune!!

[Switcher]

AMCjeepCJ

Thats Cool!

How big is the wheel? How long to machine?



.

[One of Many]

Originally Posted by AMCjeepCJ Check out my new wheel on my new machine!! This is the greatest thing out there for wheels without spending a fortune!!

I have often wondered about the strength of some of the new wheels on the road that do look cool, but at the same time vulnerable in use.

Do you put these through testing, impact and fatigue? Any certifications to the DOT? It does seem like a high liability product.

I recall in the mid 70's one of the mag rim OEM's had cracking problems which they pulled from the market.

That sure is nice Bling! LOL!

DC

[AMCjeepCJ]

I explained the details on another forum but the basic answer is no. I do not do any testing, reason being, I'm not the company selling these, I only build designs to their specs and they are responsible for all testing, etc. I do make suggestions on the machinability of the designs but all FEA testing, fatigue testing, etc. is done in Louisiana. As far as I know, up until now there aren't any DOT guidelines for bikes BUT there definitely should be!! BTW, I think they use Algor design check or something.

Also, you can't see from this picture but the wheel actually has not one sharp corner anywhere except the bolt holes. Every surface is both radiused and has 3 degrees of draft making it a little thicker in the centers without sacrificing the barely there look. This wheel I know for sure is the 'destructo one', lol, but it was still fun to build.

I should know the cut time but I run them at night while I'm sleeping so I don't really care or pay attention to it. Just as long as it's done in the moynin'~

PS,

This was the machine finish, it hasn't been polished or deburred yet. It's a 300 (18x10.5)

[unterhaus]

Is that the one where you were engraving "call 1-800-887-9988" on it?

I work in fatigue of aluminum, and I've always wondered about the custom wheels when they show them on "American Chopper" -- I have seen aircraft wheels that failed in fatigue.

That's really amazing that you get that finish off of the machine, very nice work.

[AMCjeepCJ]

My concern is exactly what you're saying. It''s easy to make a cool looking wheel but how is that thing going to hold up 3-5-15 years down the road?! It scares me bad to be honest with you. Go to www.stripclubchoppers.com and check out the wheels there. I'd bet you anything those are going to fail and fail badly. they built two sets I heard and for static display that is fine BUT the idiots sold a set and it looks like they're trying to sell more. I'm all for some sort of standardization in this industry. Sure it'll cost more but I don't want anybody hurt, pretty wheels aren't worth a life or even a broken arm...

[timlkallam]

Your right that pole girl wheel looks like it will fail.
http://www.limboland.net/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=PTS

[bender68]

You machine these from a forging, right? Not billet.....I'm about to embark on machining custom one off's for local builders. I've read most of your posts. Very informative. Oh, very nice work on that wheel too!

[posix]

well, it's not the wheels I'm concerned about, when they break you just crash (and possibly die, going to heaven and having all those virgins and stuff for all eternity). it's this thing http://www.limboland.net/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=PTS
that will be painful. when this snaps, it's bye bye thigh and hello meatmince. just like those "diy lightened flywheels". ugh...gives me shivers just thinking about it...

[AMCjeepCJ]

Yep yep, I made it out of a forging, not a solid hunk of aluminum! Shop around before you buy your blanks, a lot of the guys who sell them buy them from the same place... The three best are in Florida and Cali... I went to Cinci and talked to another vendor from Cali that IMO is superior to the other two if you're going to make your own hubs, otherwise locate the dude in Florida with the hubs already in the blank, (limited sizes available though.)

PS
I talked to the guys from the strip club choppers booth at Cinci and checked out the wheel really close, it looks dangerous but not nearly as bad as the picture... My money says it will still blow out in a few years but not as quick as I originally thought... (Watch out for pot holes with those babies though

[AMCjeepCJ]

Bender, where in Tulsa?? I used to work for 'Team Oil Tool's near Mingo and 41st maybe?! Are you going to build wheels for the guys near the BA expressway by the QT station, I think it's 145th right?? They were never open when I stopped by, lol, then again I always rode up on a CR250R, maybe they just locked the doors!!

Do you have a milltronics?? If you have any questions bro, you can get ahold of me, I don't know if you've built a lot of wheels or not but in case you haven't, I might be able to help you out a lil' bit as far as, well, I dunno, if you have a question ask, lol, chances are I might have questions for you!!

Good luck on your projects, post a pic of the wheels you build, I love to see em'...

PS
If you go to Daytona Next week, stop in at Eric Warren Designs and Choppers Inc. on Main street, I'll be setup with those guys~

[Mcgyver]

AMC, looks very nice. share others concerns on them, but think you’re right, not as bad as pole girl (there is something about the complete over-the-top-ness of pole girl wheels that cracks me up). There is certain dark humor in thinking of someone gaining their Darwin club membership because they rode on wheels made to look like strippers on the pole. a feeling of inevitability

Not meaning to sound like a granny, but if the law suits start, everyone gets hit. Presumably there’s a way calculate if its safe?