These guys do it now since Kosman stopped. About $775.00 per wheel. Need to call them then fill out the motorcycle weld up form.
http://www.custommetalspinning.com/default.asp

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The widened wheel issue carried and still carries with it many mixed thoughts, suspicions, beliefs, verbalizations depending on the person. Some think the widened wheel is fine, and others (including myself) believe the risk of running a modified/widened wheel is far too high. Personally, I view the decision regarding the risk involved as a no-brainer. If the wheel fails, one is likely to find their life in jeopardy, or lose it altogether. I would much rather spend the extra coin to buy a solid, one mold replica M109R 10" wheel, and be able to ride with peace of mind, knowing my rear wheel is not likely to crack or fail while I'm riding. Moreover, no matter how much money one may attempt to save...those savings will never ever become more valuable than life itself. Another thing to consider is...if you have a family, do you want to risk all of that to save a few bucks? I wouldn't for sure!!!

You can and will always likely make more money, but once your life is spent, you can never replenish it. Now, the question to ask yourself is...what do you value more?

Sincerely,

 

The widened wheel issue carried and still carries with it many mixed thoughts, suspicions, beliefs, verbalizations and depending on the person, even emotions. Some think the widened wheel is fine, and others (including myself) believe the risk of running a modified/widened wheel is far too high. Personally, I view the decision regarding the risk involved as a no-brainer. If the wheel fails, one is likely to find their life in jeopardy, or lose it altogether. I would much rather spend the extra coin to buy a solid, one mold replica M109R 10" wheel, and be able to ride with peace of mind, knowing my rear wheel is not likely to crack or fail while I'm riding. Moreover, no matter how much money one may attempt to save...those savings will never ever become more valuable than life itself. Another thing to consider is...if you have a family, do you want to risk all of that to save a few bucks? I wouldn't for sure!!!

You can and will always likely make more money, but once your life is spent, you can never replenish it. Now, the question to ask yourself is...what do you value more?

Sincerely,

Wow, brother you really need to quit beating around the bush and say what you really mean. Jk..agree100%

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I felt really compelled to respond in the manner I did, because I wouldn't like to hear or read of anyone getting hurt, or losing their life for any reason...especially over trying to save a few dollars.

Life is and will always be more important than money, simply because you can live life and have a quality life without a lot of money, but you can never have or obtain any amount of money without life itself.

I hope this helps the OP and others to always think safety.😄👍🏾👍👌🏾👌😎

 

Totally agree!!! :bigthumbsup:

 

So you want to move to a 280 and get a wider wheel ... the cost is huge !!! So what is the difference in putting a 260 on a stock wheel (with not added cost for a wheel) vs a 280 on a wider wheel (buy a wider wheel and the suspension to accommodate it). I put a 260 Metz on and the difference is incredible. You may want to spend the money on the extras for a wider tire on something else on the bike.

 

Couldn't Have said it better!!! :bigthumbsup:

 

Guess I am in the minority here. I see nothing wrong with having a wheel widened. If the weld is descent, it is not a safety issue. And a shop that widens wheels, will have a good welder guaranteed. I know many that have widened wheels on race cars. I have never heard of one failing either btw.
if u can find a wide oem look rim cheaper than widening, then even better.
used to be about $150-200 per rim, on a car...but that was 25 years ago.
troy

 

There's no way to buy an OEM style solid molded wheel for less than what it cost to widen a wheel. MC wheels are simply expensive. However, there's no way a welded wheel can be expected to be as safe as a solid molded wheel. A solid mold is always stronger than a like item of its kind that has been welded. I value my life more than trying to save a few dollars, and taking a big risk of running a welded wheel on a vehicle that only has two wheels...and I think most people/riders feel the same way. Although still dangerous, the risk and potential disaster is not nearly as high on a car, because you have three other wheels and tires supporting. With a bike, you only have the front wheel left if the rear wheel malfunctions, and that could be catastrophic for sure. The key to your statement above is "if the weld is decent." In my opinion, you won't know how decent the weld is until or unless it fails. I just wouldn't be willing to use myself as a laboratory experiment, or play Russian Roulette with my life, trying to save a few dollars, by going with a welded wheel. One would be better off just leaving the bike stock. Often times, being or going cheaper, results in a higher cost in the long run. I realize we all look at life differently, but I just don't believe there's any material item on the face of the earth is worth paying for with your life. There's some things I just won't do...and riding a motorcycle with welded wheels on it is one of them.

 

I am not poo pooing OEM parts but a new rim is still a re-pop not Suzuki and may be made at different standards. Think if all the non OEM stuff we put on our bikes and trust. IMHO it is really no different and as always is a matter of choice and what is an acceptable risk. Not saying one opinion or another is right or wrong but as always buyer beware.. Yes??

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My point is the OEM wheels and aftermarket wheels are still one solid mold, which is expected to be much safer than a welded wheel. I certainly understand your point, as most of us have tons of aftermarket parts on our bikes. But, some things like wheels are a much higher risk than aftermarket clutch and brake cables, air intakes, seats, grips and turn signals...etc.

Personally, I would never have a welded wheel, recommend or even tell anyone where to get a wheel welded, even if I knew of a great welder.

 

I understand ur opinion here, but disagree still. Not sure u quite understand how a weld works maybe. It actually fuses the metal by melting it together....very easy to see if it is a bad joint.
if u r ultimately concerned with safety, u would never throw a leg over. Just saying.
Again, i have NEVER heard of a widened rim ever failing. I am not saying that I am cheap and trying to save a buck at my life's expense. I just honestly believe it is just as safe as a forged or cast rim and would have no problem doing so. And I just may, if I could find somewhere locally, or reasonable.
to each, his own I guess.
you, don't do it. Me, if I can find a good shop!
troy

 

I certainly understand how a weld works Bro. I worked in a manufacturing plant for 7.5 years, where welding took place every day, building aerial lift units valued from $400k to $2 million each, custom built for and supplied to the biggest telecom companies in the world. I also know that a weld can have small air pockets within the weld that are not easily visible to eye. I have worked with some of the best welders the industry has to offer, and I know a weld is never consistently as strong as a solid mold. That is my point. As well, most who desire a widened wheel, do so because it's cheaper than buying new aftermarket solid molded wheels. How many of them do you think would actually be qualified to properly inspect welds for quality and accuracy? Not many, I'm sure. So, they are taking risks with their lives, because it's cheaper, and someone else told them the welds were perfectly safe, and of good quality. Also, just because you have never heard of a widened wheel failing doesn't mean that it hasn't happened. As a matter of fact, it happened to a couple a members of this forum, several years ago. It was a major topic on this forum for quite a while, but I'm sure it was long before you became a member. We all have our opinions about things. Nevertheless, I believe you often get what you pay for. Life is too precious to put a dollar amount on it. Like I said earlier, I would never ride on a welded wheel. Nor would I ever recommend it to anyone. Now, if you or anyone else wants to take a chance like that, there's obviously nothing I can do to stop you. But, I will never promote using a welded wheel. It's too much of a risk, and I would hate for someone get hurt over something I suggested.

If you ever decide to go with a welded wheel on your bike...good luck with that Bro, and God bless.

 

Riding on a welded wheel is basically commensurate to running a larger rear tire in reverse on the front or even a car tire on the rear. We might see it daily but it does involve additional risks that I am not willing to take. Good Luck!


WARNING: MY OPINION MAY OFFEND YOU!!!

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Reviving old thread
I like te widened Rim
So ,as they say , .......do as I say ,don't do as I do
I am willing to try it, if it ever breaks , I'll let you Know.
.
Of course you need the Tools..
average welding speed = 4 inches / minutes .
.
I'll let the pictures do the step by step.

 

Lots of "meat" to work with....
welded interior of the rim ,then looked at apparent side , and I could see the weld
went all the way thru, machine 2 small grooves to receive welds on apparent side
and "return" on lathe just for looks.
.
it is just a " résumé " of the project .
.
this is the old fashioned way to widen
Kosman would use 2 rims , to have only one weld
.
I am using method with a shim , 1/4 by 1 inch
machined to give me what I want,
.
*** I added 5/8 on hub side , and 7/8 on rotor.***
---------------------------------------------------------
I will be the guinea pig ...
When some widened rims broke 5/6 years ago
they were welded near the exterior of the rim
it was found to be better to cut and weld
near the center , to be stronger .

I don't fear the Rim exploding in an instant
at worst there would be a crack and tire would go down
just like a flat tire.
just my opinion , don't have to agree, I'll keep testing .

 

I would ride mine with widened rims and not lose one moments sleep over it. My Lightning has the two front stock rims narrowed from 9.5 to 7 inches. I will soon have tow more stock rims widened from 9. to 11.5. Weldcraft Wheels does them, and they do an exceptional job of it as well. I am doing my Lightning wheels this way because I want fats and skinnies while retaining the look of the factory rims. Kosman did them for years and years, don't recall ever hearing of anyone suffering a failure from them.