Topic: Tubeless kit for spoke wheels

[Stev-o]

There was some discussion in Ed's project thread so thought it deserves it's own.
Have you wanted to go tubeless for whatever reason? With this kit you can do just that. His friend in Japan makes them...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tubeless-kit-spoke-rims-Supermoto-DUCATI-etc-Part-Number-FR355-OUTEX-/300882697072?hash=item460e019b70&item=300882697072&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[brandEn]

I am interested in this kit. I wanna get in contact with that guy and see what's up. 

[754]

Get a rim where the nips sit belowflush..then get it  VERY CLEAN. Then use high grade silicone....  Been done for years..

[Powderman]

I powder coat a lot of 3 pc. car wheels and they are just sealed with Black RTV. I would put it on just thick enough so you can't  see the nipple ends through the smooth layer. Do this for $20 less. I just went back and realized you would save $20 off the shipping, holy crap they want $140 for 2 rubber bands and some RTV? Oh wait, you get a $120 Outex sticker, well worth it then.

[Retro Rocket]

Silicon or Sikaflex is a pain in the butt to get off when you have to remove it,  I work with silicone or Sikaflex almost daily, it wouldn't cost me a cent for industrial grade Sikaflex.......This kit is a much cleaner fix. I much prefer this kit .  Thanks for reposting this Steve, it took me ages to find the thread it was in ....

[Powderman]

I had to laugh at one of the questions asked: If it rains or you wash the bike can water get inside the tire? . Ya, it squeezes by the air rushing out of the spokes.
Still think the cost is excessive, they are profiting about $100 per kit.

[Mister Gumby]

I attempted to go tubeless on my rims and although I was able to seal the spokes with clear silicone ($12 a tube from Home Depot and some cleaning) the issue I ran across with mine was the bead surface. Turns out that on my 350f that the bead is knurled to help tire from spinning on the rim, much like bead locks on rock crawlers. Doesn't seal for sh@t, even when applying generous amounts sealer. I haven't seen the bead of other sohc4s so I can't speak for those but I figured I'd offer my $.02

[brandEn]

So then can you show us where to get the materials for a DIY kit ? Looks like some sort of tape is being used not any RTV or silicone.

[Powderman]

Here's sealing tape for mountain bike wheels, $18 a roll, does the same job.
http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Caffe+Latex+Tubeless+Tape&vendorCode=EFFETOMP&major=1&minor=44

Gumby, you got the sealant too close to the bead. It's not necessary to get so close that you have bead sealing issues.

Keep in mind once you have air in the tire there will always be pressure pushing against the tape to keep it sealed.

[Retro Rocket]

Here's sealing tape for mountain bike wheels, $18 a roll, does the same job.
http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Caffe+Latex+Tubeless+Tape&vendorCode=EFFETOMP&major=1&minor=44

Gumby, you got the sealant too close to the bead. It's not necessary to get so close that you have bead sealing issues.

Keep in mind once you have air in the tire there will always be pressure pushing against the tape to keep it sealed.

If you watched the video about the seal kit you would know that , for 1 there are 2 layers of different tape, the first is double sided, there are also small circular "dots" to cover spoke ends. The tape in the link you provided is not wide enough either...  Remember also mountain bikes don't do 100MPH, so something that may work on a mountain bike would be all but useless on a motorcycle.... I wouldn't take the risk...

[Retro Rocket]

What happens when you decide to adjust a couple of spokes Dumb idea going tubeless, dumb-arse product if you ask me.

rt

You would adjust them, Too many comments with no research, race proven product guys....

[70CB750]

Tubeless tires are not built to have tubes in them, there is a friction and the tube should be replaced every time you change the tire.

Tubeless tire can be plugged without taking it off the wheel, sure,  tube can be glued,  but on the side of the road I will take the tubeless without tube any time.

The blow out on tubeless tire is more graduate, less chance of losing all the air fast - less chance of wipe out; worth a lot in my book.

[Powderman]

Here's sealing tape for mountain bike wheels, $18 a roll, does the same job.
http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Caffe+Latex+Tubeless+Tape&vendorCode=EFFETOMP&major=1&minor=44

Gumby, you got the sealant too close to the bead. It's not necessary to get so close that you have bead sealing issues.

Keep in mind once you have air in the tire there will always be pressure pushing against the tape to keep it sealed.

If you watched the video about the seal kit you would know that , for 1 there are 2 layers of different tape, the first is double sided, there are also small circular "dots" to cover spoke ends. The tape in the link you provided is not wide enough either...  Remember also mountain bikes don't do 100MPH, so something that may work on a mountain bike would be all but useless on a motorcycle.... I wouldn't take the risk...

The video shows him starting with the first layer of double sided tape. I don't see any spoke dots being used at all. Speed doesn't matter at all as long as the sealing tape is against the holes the faster you go the more centrifugal force will push the tape into the spoke holes creating a seal. Is 2 layers of tape better? Maybe. Why not use 3 or 4 or more? Maybe you have deep pockets and don't mind wasting $100 at a pop. I for one, suspect everything that someone says that is trying to sell me something. I'm not saying this is a bad product, only that it is over priced by about $100. Using a regular RTV sealant can be a little more work when having to do a repair, but really how often does a repair need to be made. Chances are once this procedure is done it will last the lifetime of the wheel. One spoke can be cut out if needed and then a dab of sealant back in the hole and you are good to go.

[754]

The only big problem here is Liability.. If you are doing it for hire or sale.. For yourself..no problem.
 First question anyone with doubt should ask.. What does the air do to the sealer.. Simple answer.. Pushes it tighter around the nipple.... If it isnt extruding out ..its good.
 DISCLAIMER....anything I suggest here, usecat your own risk..

[Retro Rocket]

Tubeless tires are not built to have tubes in them, there is a friction and the tube should be replaced every time you change the tire.

Tubeless tire can be plugged without taking it off the wheel, sure,  tube can be glued,  but on the side of the road I will take the tubeless without tube any time.

The blow out on tubeless tire is more graduate, less chance of losing all the air fast - less chance of wipe out; worth a lot in my book.

Agree  100%

[Retro Rocket]

Here's sealing tape for mountain bike wheels, $18 a roll, does the same job.
http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Caffe+Latex+Tubeless+Tape&vendorCode=EFFETOMP&major=1&minor=44

Gumby, you got the sealant too close to the bead. It's not necessary to get so close that you have bead sealing issues.

Keep in mind once you have air in the tire there will always be pressure pushing against the tape to keep it sealed.

If you watched the video about the seal kit you would know that , for 1 there are 2 layers of different tape, the first is double sided, there are also small circular "dots" to cover spoke ends. The tape in the link you provided is not wide enough either...  Remember also mountain bikes don't do 100MPH, so something that may work on a mountain bike would be all but useless on a motorcycle.... I wouldn't take the risk...

The video shows him starting with the first layer of double sided tape. I don't see any spoke dots being used at all. Speed doesn't matter at all as long as the sealing tape is against the holes the faster you go the more centrifugal force will push the tape into the spoke holes creating a seal.

Here's the first post about this kit, you can see the dots are already on at the start of the video, the op also shows the dots.
Centrifugal force? Being on the outside of the rim they would want to tear clear of the wheel, not be pushed on..?  The air pressure would be the only thing applying pressure to the tape, or RTV in your case.  centrifugal force has nothing to do with this at all....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=116578.msg1351631#msg1351631

[BobbyR]

I would like nothing better than to go tubeless. It has been mentioned many times are wheels really don't support tubeless tire beads very well. It is not about holding air, it is about keeping the tire on the rim.

[70CB750]

I would like nothing better than to go tubeless. It has been mentioned many times are wheels really don't support tubeless tire beads very well. It is not about holding air, it is about keeping the tire on the rim.

Didn't you have flat front not so long ago?

I was hoping those F Comstar wheels I have are tubeless, but aparently they have tubes installed.

[ekpent]

Sounds like trying to invent the wheel in a way. Thinks that's why the aftermarket Guys came into the picture back in the day.Interesting discusion on this though.For most of us regular folks I think its probably better to just keep are little tubies ??

[CrazyRocketMan]

 I think its a cool idea. Race proven says a lot to me. I'll probably try it.

I'm so sick of tubes I was thinking of stuffing some of these in my tires. 

[754]

As long as the rim are grooved for tubeless type, it should be ok.

[CrazyRocketMan]

754,

Was looking at some flanged Morads from central wheel in the UK. WM3 and WM5

Probably not grooved eh?

[754]

 I dont know, some stick them in a big lathe and cut a groove about a mm deep..
 A buddybran Morris mags, back in the day.. He figured out that if he ran Goodyear AT tube type, without the tube, they held air.. Top em up every month..liled it so much that when I got a deal on them thru my shop..he order 6 or more of them.... Still running them..

[Retro Rocket]

I would like nothing better than to go tubeless. It has been mentioned many times are wheels really don't support tubeless tire beads very well. It is not about holding air, it is about keeping the tire on the rim.

Bobby, the guy selling these races with them , that would be the ultimate test....

[Retro Rocket]

http://japan.webike.net/products/9659733.html