Author Topic: Converting a spoked wheel to tubeless  (Read 2536 times)

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Richard230

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on: May 17, 2018, 10:31:00 pm
Here is a link to a video that someone might find interesting.  While I plan to stick to my tubes, I know that other motorcycle owners who have standard spoked wheels would like to convert them to hold air so that a tubeless tire can be mounted on a wheel with spokes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPzoqi_4X7o&feature=youtu.be&t=1&utm_source=CyclePump+Press+-+May+17+2018&utm_campaign=CyclePump+Press+May+8+2018&utm_medium=email
2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM Duke 390, 2002 Yamaha FZ1


scottroberts

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Reply #1 on: March 26, 2020, 02:39:07 pm
This is interesting. Has anyone tried this? Or is this whole idea a step in the wrong direction?
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Stanley

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Reply #2 on: March 26, 2020, 06:22:40 pm
Patching a tube is less hassle.
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Boxerman

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Reply #3 on: March 26, 2020, 06:27:38 pm
I thought tubeless rims were a different shape to grip the tyre bead?

Frank


Richard230

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Reply #4 on: March 27, 2020, 12:24:46 am
I thought tubeless rims were a different shape to grip the tyre bead?

Frank

They are.   ;)
2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM Duke 390, 2002 Yamaha FZ1


olhogrider

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Reply #5 on: March 28, 2020, 09:41:26 pm
I bought the Japanese kit to convert my wheels. Looks simple enough, just slop some tape and glue onto the inside of the rim. Then I watched the video. I have to sand and file each spoke nipple inside the rim so it doesn't poke a hole in the tape??? That alone will take a day per rim. The guy who was riding around the country promoting the INT650 had this done in Ft. Worth but one of them never really sealed. He had a slow leak the whole time.

I have swapped tires a few times on the Interceptor. It's not fun but it isn't very hard to do. I'll just stick with tubes for now. BMW puts the spokes outside the rims. I did see another bike with a lip that the spokes went through, creating a tubeless wheel. Of course that wizardry will double the cost of the bike!