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'83 1000 SP alloy rim tubless conversion

Rafael

Rafael

GT Reference
Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
1,096
Location
San Leandro, CA
Hi Y'all

Has any body converted their old alloy rims to tubeless. My tire installer thinks that the new front tire (Avon Roadrider) is not seating because of the tube. I have a vague recollection that the conversion is more than just adding a valve stem. I prefer to leave it with the tube, but if going tubeless is will help seat the bead, then I'll do the conversion. Any tips on seating the a difficult tire bead?

thanks, Rafael
 
I am the 2nd owner of my 83 SP the previous owner went tubeless over 20 years ago and the only thing he changed was the valve stems,front and rear and never a problem in twenty years.
 
Rafael wrote:
Hi Y'all

Has any body converted their old alloy rims to tubeless. My tire installer thinks that the new front tire (Avon Roadrider) is not seating because of the tube. I have a vague recollection that the conversion is more than just adding a valve stem. I prefer to leave it with the tube, but if going tubeless is will help seat the bead, then I'll do the conversion. Any tips on seating the a difficult tire bead?

thanks, Rafael
Click to expand...

Tubes usually make it easier to seat the bead. Is the tire guy using soap and water as a lubricant or a specific tire lubricant. I've been using a tire mounting paste from NAPA auto parts with good success.

The problem with the old style mags is that there isn't a lip to hold the bead of the tire if pressure drops. I wouldn't advise converting to tubeless, keep using a tube.
 
I have a T3 that I converted to tubeless approx 110,000 miles ago, using the old style mags same as what you have on your SP. In fact my front came from an SP. Did the same thing with 2 sets of rims on my old V65SP. My tubeless T3 often, though not always takes more effort to get properly seated than on my newer Guzzis with true tubeless rims. John is also correct that the old mag wheels are not designed the same as newer ones, which are designed to keep the bead up on the rim in case of flats. Therefore should you get a flat with converted rims, it is somewhat more likely for the tire bead to come off the rim in to the center of the tire, theoretically making it more likely to crash. The tire companies recommend against going tubeless on these old rims for that reason. That said, I have never had a problem, including a couple of flat tires when the tire did stay in place. However, with a heavier rider and/or passenger, that might be more likely to happen. Also true that in general tubeless tires tend to loose their air more slowly when punctured & are much easier to repair, not having to take the tire off the wheel to plug, if only for a temp fix to get you home. So there is a risk in going tubeless, but unclear how much of one.

If you do want to convert, there is more to it than just using tubeless valve stems. The inside of the rim on the old mags is curved, not the flat surface that most if not all tubeless valve stems require to form a proper airtight seal. The solution is to have a good machinist machine a spot face on the inside of the rim around the valve stem hole, taking out as little metal as possible & chamfering the edge to avoid weakening the wheel. I'm happy with mine, & made the conversion because a flat tire caused by a pinched tire tube caused a crash that almost cost my wife a leg, so I will not ride on tubes ever again. So, it can be done, but there are risks, & I doubt that the reason given by your tire changer is a valid one. As the saying goes, "you pays your money & takes your choice."
 
Thanks-John thanks-Bob for your advice.

I'm sticking with inner tubes. After much fuss, 8-10 attempts to seat the beads, by using all the usual techniques. I concluded that the powder coating must have increased the rim diameter. So I sanded the flat part of the inside of the rim about .5mm. It didn't seat right away so we pumped it up to 120 lbs, it seated on the 3rd try. I mounted a new tire on the rear last month, it's powder coated as well, it seated after being left against a hot metal garage door for 1/2 hour. The shop did try to seat tire without the tube; that failed as well. Or maybe the gremlin stopped paying attention for a moment. Any powder coating stories out there?

Thanks Rafael
 
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