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Spoked rim sealing for running tubeless

chuck hahn

chuck hahn

Forum LongTimer
Past Site Supporter
Asked the question in another thread . Have seen a few tutorials about sealing the spokes with different industrial sealer and even tank liner kits so you can do away with tubes.

Wondering if anyone here has done it or personally knows someone that has done this. Interested in some feedback.
 
I haven't tried it, nor would I. Too risky.
 
Some guys with dirt bikes have been doing it forever, I have heard about it but haven't tried it.
 
Dont see the point, wouldn't even risk it. I cant see how you can guarantee a good reliable seal, plus glooping up the nipples in the rim with "whatever" would be a nightmare when it comes to tightening spokes or retruing the rim.
 
If RTV is good enough for jet engines it's good enough for dirt bike wheels.
 
Arr Tee Vee.... A little dab will do ya.

I used it on my Woody's Wheel Works Super lite front wheel on my race bike with no problems. Also on my Kosman spoked WM6 rear wheel.
 
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I don't think you can buy inner tubes for cars in UK anymore and I believe the classic/vintage car people have a way of sealing their spoked wheels, but only heard this.
 
Pretty sure engines don't use RTV as thread lock Tom. RTV is quite common in aerospace to seal out water though.

I suspect some sort of sealing material, like RTV, could be used to seal the spoke nipples and run tubeless. Tubeless rims typically have the extra bead to help keep the tire on the rim in case of deflation, which you won't have by converting tube type wheels. Guess I just don't recognize a whole lot of value in going tubeless on some old wheels.
 
You are mistaken Ed. Not as thread locker, they just put a blob over the head of the screw or bolt.
 
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tkent02 said:
You are mistaken Ed. Not as thread locker, they just put a blob over the head of the screw or bolt.
Click to expand...

What am I mistaken about Tom? RTV as threadlock?

Here is a MIL-SPEC about thread locking agents...http://everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-S/MIL-S-46163A_16063/
Don't see any references to RTV in this document.

A blob of RTV over a screw head is to eliminate corrosion. Standard practice in the aerospace industry where corrosion is critical and/or on all the electrical bonding (grounding) points.

Where I work we use this stuff we generically denote "proseal". It's a two part polysulfide material that's used to seal water tanks and electrical bonding points. This stuff is ungodly expensive and comes in prepackaged 2-pack containers; there is a mixing plunger that you have to stroke back and forth something like 50 times to mix the stuff up. Something like this would be ideal to seal those spoke nipples. Don't think you guys will like the price though.
 
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These were engine bolts and nuts, small ones, a hundred or so of them around the engine, in the GE shop in where they rebuild the CF-6 engines. It was not in the threads, but over the heads of the bolts. Was not a corrosion thing, not even completely covering the nuts, the guy assembling the engine said it keeps them from coming out. All of the engines I looked at had this RTV on these same nuts.
 
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I am computer challenged or I would post a link. A guy seals a KTM adventure bike on you tube. he claims to have run over 100,000 miles on sealed up spoked wheels with no issues. Its a time consuming process but uses commonly found sealants. My thoughts were same as posted. How do you maintain spokes? And you are still limited to older style rubber unless you lace up 17" rims. I found plenty of nice tires in 18" & 19" sizes and by running a tube your only dropping one speed rating which is really no problem for street use. On the other hand new radials are very light and would look saweeet on spoked wheels.
 
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Nessism said:
I haven't tried it, nor would I. Too risky.
Click to expand...

derwood said:
To me it seems pointless,
Why would you need to do away with the tubes?
Click to expand...

Agemax said:
Dont see the point, wouldn't even risk it. I cant see how you can guarantee a good reliable seal, plus glooping up the nipples in the rim with "whatever" would be a nightmare when it comes to tightening spokes or retruing the rim.
Click to expand...

Someday someone will invent tubeless spoked wheels. Designed from the outset to be that way. Until then, I agree with the gents above. Why risk it? What's the upside?
 
Rob S. said:
Someday someone will invent tubeless spoked wheels. Designed from the outset to be that way. Until then, I agree with the gents above. Why risk it? What's the upside?
Click to expand...

I think BMW already have where the spokes are on the outside of the rim.
 
Yes BMW has them already.


Rob S......the thing with our GSs, Goldwings, or whatever spoked rim bike that someone would take on a long trip is that if its tubed and you get a flat thats the end of the road till a new tube can be had, tire broke down, etc etc etc..

Now if you had the fore thought to have 12 V mini compressor and a plug kit in the travel tool kit, you can plug it and air it up in just a few minutes and proceed to a stop over for a new tire or whatever course of action you wish to take. And if the town you get to doesnt have a motorcycle shop you can have the local car guy just patch the tire from the inside and be good to go.

Seems its a practical thing to think about doing. I like that sealing tape idea.
 
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