General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tubeless Spoke Wheel Repair

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #11  
Old 01-02-2020, 10:49 AM
RK4ME's Avatar
RK4ME
RK4ME is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: west Michigan
Posts: 8,806
Received 2,318 Likes on 1,445 Posts
Default

The best tubeless spoked wheels have the spokes anchored at the outer edge of the rim like BMW does with their GS bikes.
Before you attempt to re-seal your wheels, you should have them trued by a competent shop that can build/lace a wheel. Maybe they can seal it too.
 
  #12  
Old 01-02-2020, 11:31 AM
Pothole914's Avatar
Pothole914
Pothole914 is offline
Grand HDF Member

Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Monticello, Florida
Posts: 3,738
Received 3,694 Likes on 1,470 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by coolbreeze3646
As this is your first post to the forum, welcome.

Go to your local Home Depot or Automotive Parts store and get you some good black RTV in a tube, put a smear of it over the torn area, let it cure for 24 hours. Put it back together and all should be well.

https://www.permatex.com/products/ad...esive-sealant/


Please do NOT do this. Coolbreeze, if you are not familiar with the process, please don't give out this kind of information. You will get someone killed. Silicone is NOT an acceptable repair for this type of rim. The entire rubber strip must be removed and completely replaced by a competent shop. Tires on our motorcycles are not to be experimented with. We only have 2, lose one and bad stuff can happen.
 
  #13  
Old 01-02-2020, 02:03 PM
larsfum's Avatar
larsfum
larsfum is offline
Stellar HDF Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: On a Lake, not far from the Gulf
Posts: 2,578
Received 458 Likes on 323 Posts
Default

On a tubelesss spoked wheel like the OP has there is a vulcanized rubber strip that is sealed onto the inside of the rim. This is completely different than a rubber rim strip which is used when replacing the tube in a tubed tire. Also the pressure involved inside of a tire makes RTV silicone a poor choice for a cure. A rubber inner tube patch "may" work, providing you clean, prep the area properly, and the adhesive seals completely around that patch, adhering to the vulcanized strip. If I were the OP I would give a rubber patch a try. I don't think that you would have a catastrophic failure if it were to not hold. You might get stranded on the side of the road. Then the fix would be to add a tube to it.
 
  #14  
Old 01-02-2020, 02:45 PM
RHPAW's Avatar
RHPAW
RHPAW is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Driftless Area
Posts: 20,996
Received 15,005 Likes on 6,669 Posts
Default

I used to replace the "rubberband" on a spoked rim whenever I put on a new tire.
The original intent was to keep the spoke caps from wearing directly against the tube.
Regardless of tube or not, a new band won't hurt.
Dealer has them. Get the right size. Don't try to repair it. It's your life.
 
  #15  
Old 01-02-2020, 05:29 PM
Pothole914's Avatar
Pothole914
Pothole914 is offline
Grand HDF Member

Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Monticello, Florida
Posts: 3,738
Received 3,694 Likes on 1,470 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RHPAW
I used to replace the "rubberband" on a spoked rim whenever I put on a new tire.
The original intent was to keep the spoke caps from wearing directly against the tube.
Regardless of tube or not, a new band won't hurt.
Dealer has them. Get the right size. Don't try to repair it. It's your life.
This is NOT the "rubberband" you are referring to. It is a vulcanized process to SEAL the spoke nipples.
 
  #16  
Old 01-02-2020, 09:02 PM
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
RANGER73 is online now
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Beyond Fucital
Posts: 14,950
Received 6,287 Likes on 3,171 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Pothole914
This is NOT the "rubberband" you are referring to. It is a vulcanized process to SEAL the spoke nipples.
Doesn't matter, leave it there and put a band and a tube. Done deal.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jdog35
Dyna Glide Models
7
02-11-2014 12:55 AM
low_wgn
Sportster Models
4
10-31-2009 02:11 PM
Steelhorsecowboy
Wheels/Tires
6
07-03-2009 11:26 AM
L_Brown
Softail Models
5
11-19-2008 09:10 AM
DanDeuce
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
1
01-19-2006 02:03 PM



Quick Reply: Tubeless Spoke Wheel Repair



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:43 AM.