Cracked Aluminum Rim.

[jradnich]

I have 2 74 MX250 front wheels. The aluminum rim on both appear to be cracked. On both rims the "crack" is located opposite of the valve stem hole, it extends from one side to the center of the rim. It's visable on the smooth outer surface of the rim but and barely visable on the inside. It runs in  a straight line to the center. I'm wondering if I'm looking at a crack or the seam where the aluminum was joined.
Both wheels are marked Takasago and they're H pattern rims.
Has anybody else seen this?

[teazer]

Not very often that we see a cracked rim.  Is it the weld where the hoop was welded together from the extrusion? Ans teh next question is that really a crack or just an indication of where the weld is?

[pdxjim]

That's the seam.

[jradnich]

Thanks for both responses. That's what I thought, but I wanted to get a second opinion. Makes me feel better about using the wheel.