Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ken farr on May 04, 2025, 04:57:12 PM

Title: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: ken farr on May 04, 2025, 04:57:12 PM
Hello All:

   I have a B1100 Breva with cast wheels.  They are factory black finish, can this be stripped off ?  If so, what are the pros/cons of then going with painted spokes and polished "rims" ?

Thank you in advance:

kjf
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: bmc5733946 on May 04, 2025, 07:12:12 PM
I just had a pair of Breva 750 rims powder coated. The owner of that shop said never again. It was the second pair of Guzzi wheels he powder coated for me. He had trouble cooking the oil out of them. That seems to be a standard for Guzzi cast wheels. It seems the alloy has oil included in the metal when cast. The other set were older SP five spoke wheels that he had the same problem with. Nothing to do with your situation but maybe someone else could use the info. I really could have just painted them and will next time.

Brian
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: blackcat on May 05, 2025, 06:18:20 AM
"It seems the alloy has oil included in the metal when cast."

Wow, never heard of this but I know nothing about casting metal.
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: scra99tch on May 05, 2025, 06:56:31 AM
Also interested to hear what others say.  My 1980 SP1000 is a little worse for wear and the finish is peeling off.  Are factory rims Magnesium or Aluminum?
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: AJ Huff on May 05, 2025, 07:16:53 AM
"It seems the alloy has oil included in the metal when cast."

Wow, never heard of this but I know nothing about casting metal.

No such thing. And I've poured a lot of aluminum.

-AJ
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: SIR REAL ED on May 05, 2025, 07:30:03 AM
"It seems the alloy has oil included in the metal when cast."

Wow, never heard of this but I know nothing about casting metal.

Flung off chain lube maybe?
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: Dirk_S on May 05, 2025, 07:43:54 AM
Tells ya what to do—get 2 gallons of oven cleaner, a couple beers, and go to town on that powder coat while rocking to Pavarotti’s cover of “Free Bird”. Deterioration to the aluminum from the oven cleaner won’t matter because you’re painting over it.

<jokes> </jokes>
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on May 05, 2025, 08:24:13 AM
Also interested to hear what others say.  My 1980 SP1000 is a little worse for wear and the finish is peeling off.  Are factory rims Magnesium or Aluminum?

Not magnesium.

FWIW: Mark @ Moto Guzzi Classics uses "SEM 39283 Lite Titanium Bumper Coater Aerosol" to paint Guzzi cast alloys. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HB0LHO
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: bmc5733946 on May 05, 2025, 08:28:03 PM
I know little about cast aluminum or any other casting processes and was repeating what the technician told me. It does seem a bit ridiculous to me now. I just know he had problems. Definitely not from a chain driven bike. One big block Guzzi and one small block Guzzi. I just know that in the future I will be painting wheels to change their color.

Brian
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: SIR REAL ED on May 06, 2025, 06:40:36 AM
I know little about cast aluminum or any other casting processes and was repeating what the technician told me. It does seem a bit ridiculous to me now. I just know he had problems. Definitely not from a chain driven bike. One big block Guzzi and one small block Guzzi. I just know that in the future I will be painting wheels to change their color.

Brian

Very strange indeed.  I have had Suzuki cast wheels powder coated with no problems whatsoever.

Personally, I would consult another powder coating shop rather than put much stock in what you were told.

While powder coating is very durable, the plus side of paint is it is very easy to touch up.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Cast wheel refinishing
Post by: paulbricey on May 06, 2025, 12:36:39 PM
My V65 Florida wheels were badly corroded (& tyres had to be cut off them) after 20 years stored in the rain. I stripped the paint (lots of corrosion under the paint) & instead of powder coating I decided to just have them Vapour blasted before fitting new bearings & tyres. They are easy to keep clean, no paint to flake or ding, don't seem to corrode (3 years so far) & I actually prefer the 'naked' metal look.


(https://i.ibb.co/mrkPZJqq/V65-wheels.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mrkPZJqq)