Motorcycle Rims w/Bearings ?

[donafams]

I have a Honda VTX 1800 with cast aluminim rims and want to powder coat without removing the bearings. Is this going to be ok? Im thinking about the heat with the steel bearings and aluminum rim..

[FigureLLC]

i think that's not ok, bc the heat is going to kill the grease in the bearings. i think some others on here have said they've tried it and it smoked badly, and they have to replace the bearings anyway. aftermarket bearings are typically pretty cheap. I paid I think about $20 a pair for my BMW bearings (maybe it was $10), and nothing's cheap on that thing.

[Harleydad]

I wouldn't do it. There the lube leaking factor and steel and aluminum expand and contract at different rates, they may just fall out as your curing.

[FigureLLC]

Originally Posted by Harleydad

I wouldn't do it. There the lube leaking factor and steel and aluminum expand and contract at different rates, they may just fall out as your curing.

the manual for the bmw recommended sticking the rim in the oven to remove them. perfect, i thought. those bad boys still wouldn't budge. had to negotiate em out with a hammer.

[CarWiz]

Yeah, cooking grease in your oven is a no-no. Bearings or not, the oil vapors will fill your oven and ruin a job. And maybe a couple of jobs after that.