I will be watching this thread. - Dan

 

I called the Wheel Shop in Phoenix Az. He didn't recommend it. Said you can't true the rims after sealing the spokes.

 

Untrue, the Outex uses small disks over each nipple before the sealing tape is applied allowing spokes to be adjusted. I plan on installing kits this winter. These kits originated for the dirt bike crowd eliminating flats due to pinched tubes and to reduce weight. They are now being used on street bikes.

 

Great idea. I hope it's practical and safe. I love the look of the wire spoked wheel. I have no problem cleaning the wheels and white walls, cuz I love the look. Very Classy. Much Respect, Enzo5000.

 

Here's another DIY install using silicone caulking and Gorilla Tape.

Making your spoked wheels tubeless with pictures

 

WAY too risky for my taste. I don't mind spoke wheels and even have them on my VTX, but would never trust my life or my passengers life to these types of modifications.

Not being mean, but seriously curious, What is wrong with a tube anyway?

 

When you get a flat on a tubed tire it deflates very rapidly because the air goes out at the puncture and all spoke nipples holes. That can be very dangerous. If a tubeless tire gets a puncture it deflates much more slowly because the leak point is at the puncture point and is much smaller.

 

Isn't the whole bead seating area designed differently on a rim made for tubeless tires?

 

I'm not sure about that, but it seems like they are the same because the tire still needs to lock onto the rim under pressure tube or tubeless.

That being said. Now I'm thinking that when I change tires I'm going to seal up the nipples with a tubeless kit or the DIY method and then still run with a tube. It may slow down rapid deflation if a puncture occurs.

 

I think that would yield the safest results

 

Read an article that sited an outfit doing a method that was considered advanced. Including some new material and heat treatment. It was an older article - 2007 I think.

I sent them an email to see if they still provide the service cause their website doesn't mention it: Wheel Works 714-530-6681 Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 8-3

 

Read an article that sited an outfit doing a method that was considered advanced. Including some new material and heat treatment. It was an older article - 2007 I think.

I sent them an email to see if they still provide the service cause their website doesn't mention it: Wheel Works 714-530-6681 Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 8-3

Looks promising. Let me know what you find out.

 

I don't have spokes but for those that do this would be interesting to see. I am sure other bikes are running tubeless on their spoked wheels.

 

the 09-11 Kings mountain indians where tubeless spokes. not sure about the 12-13's.
I've never had any issues with my darkhorse's tubeless spokes.
For the reasons mentioned above I prefer tubeless. I can carry a small plug kit on the bike.
I have a friend that we converted his spokes to tubeless. he's not had any issues for a few years now

 

From the OUTEX sales sheet:

Kit consists of the following;

①round, pre-cut nipple seals
②double sided sealing tape
③protective sheet
④slip tape
⑤air valves
⑥white cotton gloves
⑦OUT☆EX sticker and hologram sticke
r⑧instruction manual,

The materials selected for this kit have been proven to be highly durable with regards heat resistance (up to 140 degrees Celsius), weather resistance and adhesion.

Tape left over after initial installation can be used for repairs such as spoke replacement.

Installation of the tubeless kit requires some basic mechanical skills and knowledge.

 

Also, I'm planning on ordering an OUTEX Kit. What is the rim width on out Classic & Vintage sickles?

 

Also, I'planning on ordering an OUTES Kit. What is the rim width on out Classic & Vintage sickles?

Let us all know how it works out for you.

-

Live Free and Die Well
Texas Hill Country - Wimberley
2015 Indian Blue & Ivory Chieftain

 

From the OUTEX sales sheet:

Kit consists of the following;

①round, pre-cut nipple seals
②double sided sealing tape
③protective sheet
④slip tape
⑤air valves
⑥white cotton gloves
⑦OUT☆EX sticker and hologram sticke
r⑧instruction manual,

The materials selected for this kit have been proven to be highly durable with regards heat resistance (up to 140 degrees Celsius), weather resistance and adhesion.

Tape left over after initial installation can be used for repairs such as spoke replacement.

Installation of the tubeless kit requires some basic mechanical skills and knowledge.

Any others used this kit on their wire wheel Chiefs ,if so how has the installation been and the performance so far?.I am very keen to do this conversion if it's effective and reliable.Otherwise it's a big "save-up" for replacement cast wheels.I would hate to be left stranded by a puncture as getting the wheels off is not likely do-able at the side of the road and here in New Zealand we do big distances without Automobile Association close-by.What do kits cost and where are suppliers around Chicago region? Still lovin' my Chief.Doc.

 

that must be one hell of a tape! Old method was an epoxy mix and you put a tape dot over each nipple so they could be adjusted without tearing the epoxy. Earlier tires were different between tubeless and tubed beads but are now interchangable. Tubeless tires are easier to repair on the road, with a tube the wheel and tire are going to have to come off, no amount of stop leak is going to help a tube if it started to tear at the puncture site.

So we now know that this system DOES work on Harley spoked rims,I have been in touch with a dealer who sells kits but is not sure about the dimensions for the Indian rims,....???
I am guessing that as they are 16 inch they would be the same?
Has anyone out there in Indian Land done this modification yet please?

 

that must be one hell of a tape! Old method was an epoxy mix and you put a tape dot over each nipple so they could be adjusted without tearing the epoxy. Earlier tires were different between tubeless and tubed beads but are now interchangable. Tubeless tires are easier to repair on the road, with a tube the wheel and tire are going to have to come off, no amount of stop leak is going to help a tube if it started to tear at the puncture site.

 

looks like the wider the better, the more overlap and contact area onto the inside of the rim the less chance of a air leak, whats the supplier recommend?

 

i had a set of sealed 18"s wheels built by american wire wheel, 2 yrs no issues + even when i dinged the rim on a road offset under construction + beat the lip back with a shaped oak block of wood + 3 lb hammer they still held air!!! for months after until i traded for my hammer

 

Thanks for that info,now I want to see where I can order a couple of kits to import to New Zealand and "get 'er done" .Outex sounds like the go,My wife's family are close to Maddison Wi. so any leads as to stockists in that area? Doc,who has just had an amazing days ride on the Chief.Keep getting told my H.D. T-shirts and leather jacket seem out of place,just tell 'em I ran over a Harley rider and bagged his gear .

 

a general search will bring up lots of info on sealing wire wheels yourself both with kits + without. triumphrat.com specifically bonnevilles that are mostly wire wheeled bikes have lots of info. lots of benefits loosing the tubes weight + the said slower deflation when you pick up something. using aluminum for the rim itself saves weight + its noted the farther away from the center of a spinning wheel the more xtra weight hurts performance + handling. lighter aftermarket rims are nice but not cheap, + as always the cost factor comes into play, as each owner wants different things @ different price points!!

 

Thanks for the reply mate but there doesn't appear to be anything out there that's specific "Outex wise" to sealing up the rims. Been looking & asking people for nearly 2 years now & nothing.

 

Ride-wright in Orange County made might , works with Indians TPMS