1982 Thick web wheel on Mirage.

mar

mar

Hero member
Location
California USA
Should the thick web wheel run a tube or should it be tubeless?
I seem to recall that when new they did not have tubes. However when one gets old these little details become elusive.

Thanks

 
Some people have modified thin web, thick web and RGS wheels to tubeless.
I have seen some very dodgy conversions involving crumbling rubber 'seals' hacked from a sheet of rubber.
The area for the tubeless valve needs to be flattened to allow the rubber to have a good seal.
In addition the wheel rim on wheels designed for tubeless tyres have a different profile as well.

Although several forum members have made this conversion I personally would not do it as it has the potential for rapid deflation if not done properly.
I would also suspect any insurance companies involved in a claim would take a dim view if it came to light.
 
You can buy a tubeless valve with a nice rubber seal for not a lot - ?3.99:

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http://www.mandp.co.uk/index.php/default/economy-chrome-plated-t-l-valve-4256.html

I did buy one, but to be honest I have never felt the need to do the conversion to tubeless - no punctures in years and every time the tyre is changed the tube is renewed.
 
You would still need to machine a flat for the seal to rest on.
Plus it does not address the rim profile not being designed for a tubeless bead.
 
I ran my RGS's for years with just the tubeless valve - worked fine and the first time you get a puncture and can sort at the side of the road in 10 minutes you know why you did it. As I'm refurbing the bikes I have now and put a flat in the rims because I have the time.

The Laverda wheels are not designed to run tubeless correct - but the tyres stick to the rims like glue (which you find when you try and change a tyre) - never for instance had a tyre come away from the rim when the tyre has punctured...and infact had an experience whereby when running the RGA with tubes the tube split but the air was confined to the tyre and I couldn't work out why the wheel was out of balance (big knot of tube inside the tyre).

If I was going to ride any distance from my home then I'd go tubelss for sure.....imagine being in France on a Sunday heading back for the ferry and...

Respect to Grant and co just sharing my experience/opinion.

Nick :-)
 
I run tubeless in both my triples, but went the GSXR wheel route.
Several folk have switched to tubeless on Laverda rims, but despite other folks' positive experiences it would be a step too far for me.
 
I am with Grant, I would not do it as the Laverda rim does not have the correct profile for tubeless rubber.

I would like tubeless tyres, very much so in fact, not because of the puncture repair, but because of the lower un sprung weight,the snall changes that I have made in this direction truly inprove the riding experience (320mm stainless discs) it wont happen for tubeless, unless I change rims.
CLEM
 
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