Unusual discovery while cleaning the front wheel

GaryV

Joined
Sep 28, 2015
Messages
10
Location
Sisters, Oregon
Bike
2004 ST1300A
While washing the ST13 yesterday (it did need it), I saw something unusual coming from one of the drain holes in the front wheel casting.

VZM.IMG_20160620_112349.jpg

I looked closer and started poking into it and picking at it. There was something there. It seemed a little greasy and maybe had some hair on it. It finally came to me what it was. I plugged the other drain holes with duct tape and 2 of the other 3 larges holes in the center. I rotated the wheel so the suspicious matter was near the top. I put a small vacuum hose into the remaining hub hole and compressed air into the gooey hole.

My suspicions were confirmed. Look closely at the hub.

VZM.IMG_20160620_113437.jpgVZM.IMG_20160620_113522.jpg
 
Really, lead weights work better for balancing the front wheel!!:shock::shock::shock:
 
I thought pet mice were supposed to run in those wire cages, why did you put it in your ST wheel ?

About a week ago I noticed something odd when I opened my second garage door that I don't use often. The previous time it shut, it happened to crush a mouse between two of the rollup panels. Old enough that it was mostly decayed, but still a bit of a stench left so it wasn't pleasant cleaning the remaining guts off of the door.
 
:rofl1: I was disgusted but couldn't look away! Without the assist your ST will be a little slower now.
 
Yeah, that's not right. Those are supposed to be in the space between the throttle bodies chewing on your injector wires. :sm1:

--Mark
 
WHY are there drain holes in the front wheel in the first place??

They are there so water doesn't collect, but mice do
 
Guess you will have to balance your front wheel now. Only this time put the weights (mice) on the outside of the wheel.
 
Bush said:
WHY are there drain holes in the front wheel in the first place??
Click to expand...

They're for mouse drainage. :sm1: :D

One of the changes they made between the 1100* and 1300 was a switch to wheels with hollow spokes. They're essentially a box, which is a much lighter structure that gives lots of strength. Light is important because it means less un-sprung weight, and less un-sprung weight makes the suspension more effective. (Doesn't hurt that it shaves some weight off the whole bike, either.) Strong is good because like the tires, the wheels get subjected to a lot more abuse because the ST is so heavy.

When you cast a hollow part, there has to be a medium inside that prevents the molten metal from flowing into places where you don't want it. Usually it's sand mixed with something that holds it together. There has to be a way for the sand to be kept in place while the metal is being poured around it, which is usually accomplished with holes that link it to other parts of the mold. Once the cast is complete, the sand is removed by blasting it out of the hollow part with water. The drainage holes help with that process, but they're really there to get rid of water and other stuff that gets in while you're riding. If it's left to accumulate, it will add weight to the wheels and if it doesn't accumulate evenly, the wheel balance will be thrown off.

--Mark


*I'm pretty sure the 1100's wheels are solid; there aren't any drain holes and you can see little nubs where the sprues were.
 
Blrfl said:
*I'm pretty sure the 1100's wheels are solid; there aren't any drain holes and you can see little nubs where the sprues were.
Click to expand...

Yes, they are solid, without drain holes anyway, and that was the reason for my question. Thanks for the answer.
 
gee, some may call that "appetizer", other's "lunch" ??

all in the eyes (or stomach) of the beholder !

is that "medium" or "well done" ??



thank you,
-elliot
 
I've seen "stuff" draining from those holes in the wheel of my ST before too. Always figured it was brake dust or road grime. Never crossed my mind there might have been (be?) a critter in there.... shudder...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom