3M sealing tape on spoked wheels

[limeex2]

I'm trying to cut the weight down even further on my GS1100E. It has spoked wheels, wider D.I.D. rims ect. Removing the tubes would remove almost 5 lbs of unsprung weight. I haven't taken them apart to weigh a tube, so I'm going by advertised shipping weight. Even if both of them weigh 3 lbs, thats a lot of unsprung weight for only $15. Has anyone here used the 3m brand sealing tape? Its on YouTube and has many good motorcycle reviews on Amazon, but I would rather hear from you guys. I work for 3M and I have seen some crazy good tapes come through our dept. Here's a link. https://www.amazon.com/3M-Extreme-Se...13291013&psc=1 here's the video. Its a little long, but you get the idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGyeA12terU

[Steve]

You are wanting to seal the nipples on the inside of the rim so you can ditch the tubes?

Let me just ask, ... are all of your roads glass-smooth, with absolutely NO chance of any potholes?

I would not expect it to happen very often, but I suspect that the rim can/will flex a bit when hitting a bump. That bump could be a pothole, a curb, debris on the road, whatever. Is it possible that the rim might flex far enough for the spoke to push through the sealing tape? On the other hand, when hitting anything that hard, a sudden loss of air pressure might the the lowest of your concerns.

That is one reason I like my cast wheels. Undoubtedly heavier than spoked wheels, even with their tubes, but I have never let that bother me. Maybe if I experienced the difference, I might have a different opinion, but I don't think I would rely on tape for an air seal.

.

[storm 64]

Yes, I used the 3-M tape on my spoked wheels. It is 3-M 4412N Sealing Tape. No problems at all with it sealing the spoke nipples. However you must check your rim where the rim is welded together. It must be smooth so the tire will seal against the rim okay. I had to file and sand to blend it in. I have 12,000 miles on the wheels with no problems. ��
There's a thead on here somewhere talking all about it... found it, go to Rim Size Recommendations April 2017

[GregT]

The only way I've ever seen to run conventional wire spoke wheels tubeless - relatively safely - was on an E type jaguar being raced.
The well of the rim had been filled with an RTV - covering the spoke ends - which had been machined round and flat after curing.

Even in normal riding wire spoke wheels on an 1100 will flex. Your call....

[limeex2]

Yes, I used the 3-M tape on my spoked wheels. It is 3-M 4412N Sealing Tape. No problems at all with it sealing the spoke nipples. However you must check your rim where the rim is welded together. It must be smooth so the tire will seal against the rim okay. I had to file and sand to blend it in. I have 12,000 miles on the wheels with no problems. ��
There's a thead on here somewhere talking all about it... found it, go to Rim Size Recommendations April 2017

There are 2 versions of the tape. 4412N and 4411N. The 4412N is 2" wide and the 4411N is 1.5". Hard to tell if there are other differences. The Adventure Touring guys have been going off road with 2 versions of silicon seal and have good results. I believe this is better yet and will still allow for spoke adjustments if ness, but with HD spokes I have found very little, if at all spoke tightening needs.

Thanks for the link. My rims are true vintage, aka old. My only worry is the finish on the bead area of the rim. I dont recall if it was smooth or ribbed. Deal breaker?

[mmattockx]

The Adventure Touring guys have been going off road with 2 versions of silicon seal and have good results.

The super motard guys have been using tape to seal spoked rims for at least a decade that I know of. It will work fine on your GS.


Mark

[gsrick]

Have you looked at Flex Seal products? https://www.flexsealproducts.com/sho...saAkcAEALw_wcB

[limeex2]

Yes, but I tend to shy away from copy cat stuff when what I am using MUST work. I work for 3M and have seen first hand what they can make when they choose to. Others are using this with success and it works. I'll try this week to pop off the tire and inspect the rim sealing area to see if it is smooth or ribbed, its been a year since I had them built up and I can't recall that detail. If they are ribbed in their design, I'm thinking I will probably have to keep running tubes.

[Baatfam]

No tubes...layer of RTV over the nipples, covered with a couple layers of duct tape. I raced it for 5-6 years like that.
The guys I bought it from, raced it like that for a decade or two.

[limeex2]

No tubes...layer of RTV over the nipples, covered with a couple layers of duct tape. I raced it for 5-6 years like that.
The guys I bought it from, raced it like that for a decade or two.

I think I may have that set of leathers... Dainise?

[Baatfam]

I think I may have that set of leathers... Dainise?

China...$500....

[Nessism]

Bicycle guys are going tubeless on spoke rims w/tape. Most use "sealant" to take care of any possible small leak but not sure if this is pertinent to motorcycles.

[Gumpster]

What about that flex seal spray on tv? The stuff used to seal a screen door in the bottom of a boat.... I will likely stick with tubes or get some mag wheels if I want to go tubeless. Too much at stake. I was riding a couple of years ago and picked up a nail. Tire was flat in seconds and no chance of using a plug to get home with a tube. Luckily, someone stopped, had a trailer with them and got me home. He was a fellow rider but didn't know him. Another reason I will always stop and help a fellow rider.

[Cipher]

Someone here needs to weigh a tube.

A shipping weight may just be a category not an actual measured weight

[limeex2]

Someone here needs to weigh a tube.

A shipping weight may just be a category not an actual measured weight

Good idea. I'll weigh a 18" tube tonight at work along with a bunch of different 530 chains I have. I'll post various other weights I have come up with also.