Stelvio wheel losing air

[sidmonsters]

So--my 2013 Stelvio NTX at 7,000m service needed new tires, and I mentioned to mechanic that the rear was losing air, maybe 2-3lbs/week for a few weeks.  He returned the bike to me with new tires and said that he was noticing a slow leak in the rear so they "just threw a tube in."  Good enough, but now putting another set of tires on--Shinko 705's, FWIW--and the front is fine, but the back is no bueno.  I put it in a tank and with 45lbs in it somewhere close to half of the (tight and true) spokes are bubbling air.  I really want to be tubeless on this bike, and before I go with the marine adhesive and all the rest on the spoke nipples, thought I would throw it out to the collective think tank...anybody else had this experience or words of wisdom?  (And I did take off the front and put in in the tank, and not a fizzer did I find).
More Guzzi mystique I just gotta suck up?
Steve

[usedtobefast]

Backing up to your "mechanic" that just threw a tube in, he should have fixed it, but oh well.

So if you want to fix it the Moto Guzzi way ... find out which spokes are leaking ... get some new nipple o-rings (more than you think you need) ... pull the tire, pull the leaking nipples, check the area they seat in (no sharp edges, no rust, etc), put in a new o-ring, some put some kind of silicone lube on, nipple back on, spoke torqued properly ... do to all leaking spokes ... tire back on ... back in tank to check for leaks.

Whew. 

[jacksonracingcomau]

wot he said
but I think Guzzi buy wheels already buit (Alpina?) so not really a Guzzi mystic , more a “ nearly “ moment
Oddest part is  20 odd years ago they fitted tubeless rims that were

[yogidozer]

And then find a new "mechanic" 

[sidmonsters]

I had the same thought...Actually, I liked and trusted the mechanic.  It was the mechanic supervisor who called the shots and wouldn't listen to anybody who made me crazy.  Ultimately, that problem solved itself when that MG dealership sold and dropped the brand. Sigh.  So, here I sits, a 53 year-old man considering the purchase and installation of nipple rings    Try to scrub that mental image from your brains!
Thanks for the help, gentlemen
Steve

[bodine99]

So--my 2013 Stelvio NTX at 7,000m service needed new tires, and I mentioned to mechanic that the rear was losing air, maybe 2-3lbs/week for a few weeks.  He returned the bike to me with new tires and said that he was noticing a slow leak in the rear so they "just threw a tube in."  Good enough, but now putting another set of tires on--Shinko 705's, FWIW--and the front is fine, but the back is no bueno.  I put it in a tank and with 45lbs in it somewhere close to half of the (tight and true) spokes are bubbling air.  I really want to be tubeless on this bike, and before I go with the marine adhesive and all the rest on the spoke nipples, thought I would throw it out to the collective think tank...anybody else had this experience or words of wisdom?  (And I did take off the front and put in in the tank, and not a fizzer did I find).
More Guzzi mystique I just gotta suck up?
Steve
Might try some Ride On Balancer & Sealer 1st.

[Lannis]

My 2009 Stelvio (50K miles) has only had 3 spoke O-rings replaced.    Right now, there are no detectable leaks, and the tires stay at pressure between weekly checks.    I bought a handful of spoke kits (nipple, clip, O-ring) a few years back, and whenever a tire is ready to change, I evaluate whether any need to be replaced.

So far only 3, and that was a few years ago.   Pretty good system, I think.   Me personal, I wouldn't spend the money on new cast wheels or anything ... geez, that's a lot of money (GC)!

Lannis

[pyoungbl]

I had a slow leak on a Stelvio wheel.  Like OP's wheel, mine was leaking at the nipple.  I contacted the folks who import those wheels into the US and got the correct o-rings.  They also recommended a special o-ring lubricant so the o-ring does not get pinched when installing it.  Problem solved.  I'd stay away from anything like Ride On because it will make a real mess of the wheel and probably not solve the leak.  After all, the Ride On is designed to coat the tire and seal leaks in the tire.  Ride On will be thrown away from the rim. 

[Dilliw]

My 2009 Stelvio (50K miles) has only had 3 spoke O-rings replaced.    Right now, there are no detectable leaks, and the tires stay at pressure between weekly checks.    I bought a handful of spoke kits (nipple, clip, O-ring) a few years back, and whenever a tire is ready to change, I evaluate whether any need to be replaced.

So far only 3, and that was a few years ago.   Pretty good system, I think.   Me personal, I wouldn't spend the money on new cast wheels or anything ... geez, that's a lot of money (GC)!

Lannis

I've only had one.  I followed Wayne's advice and backed off the nipple and then re-seat the o-ring.  That got me from "many bubbles" to just a couple and equated to about 2psi per week of pressure loss.  On the next tire change Chuck (from another thread here) replaced the tire, replaced the o-ring and put a new retainer; now it I have no more leaks.

[guzzimatic]

Of all the ways to make tubeless spoked wheels,Guzzi chose the one where you have 80 chances for leaks...good thing Guzzi riders don't keep their bikes for decades,and hundreds of thousands of miles,oh wait...

[Kiwi_Roy]

Of all the ways to make tubeless spoked wheels,Guzzi chose the one where you have 80 chances for leaks...good thing Guzzi riders don't keep their bikes for decades,and hundreds of thousands of miles,oh wait...

Still better than a tube though IMHO
I like the idea of checking for leaks before swapping tires

I would be tempted to use a thin layer of silicone over the nipples as a backup for "O" rings.

Some of the tubeless wheels Guzzi used in the past didn't have this issue e.g. 98EV

I think Guzzi just like to push the limits, I'm ok with that 

[Markcarovilli]

remember - Guzzi does not make the wheels.....

the o-rings should last but will need attention just because. When I bought my Stelvio from ChuckH, I had a choice for the spoked or alloys - easy choice was the non-spoked.

Mark

[Dilliw]

remember - Guzzi does not make the wheels.....

the o-rings should last but will need attention just because. When I bought my Stelvio from ChuckH, I had a choice for the spoked or alloys - easy choice was the non-spoked.

Mark

Mine was due to hitting a rather nasty pothole at speed.  The next morning....

The Griso has to be less susceptible than the Stelvio based on its usage, but it's easy enough to monitor and easy enough to address if there's a problem.  Some soapy water and a zip tie to mark em until you change the tire.

[sidmonsters]

After I had zip-tied 10 or so spokes in the first submerged half of the tire I quit and figgered I had my own self a generalized problem...

[Kiwi_Roy]

After I had zip-tied 10 or so spokes in the first submerged half of the tire I quit and figgered I had my own self a generalized problem...

You do seem to have an unusual problem
Is it possible the spokes are loose?
I wonder if they would re-seat if you turned them back and forth a little
Possible aggressive cleaning solution?
Are you out of warranty?

Purchase a replacement 2nd hand wheel?

[HarveyMushman]

So--my 2013 Stelvio NTX at 7,000m service needed new tires, and I mentioned to mechanic that the rear was losing air, maybe 2-3lbs/week for a few weeks.  He returned the bike to me with new tires and said that he was noticing a slow leak in the rear so they "just threw a tube in."  Good enough, but now putting another set of tires on--Shinko 705's, FWIW--and the front is fine, but the back is no bueno.  I put it in a tank and with 45lbs in it somewhere close to half of the (tight and true) spokes are bubbling air.  I really want to be tubeless on this bike, and before I go with the marine adhesive and all the rest on the spoke nipples, thought I would throw it out to the collective think tank...anybody else had this experience or words of wisdom?  (And I did take off the front and put in in the tank, and not a fizzer did I find).
More Guzzi mystique I just gotta suck up?
Steve

I have a '13 too.  Make sure the spokes are tight.  Give each a tap with a wrench or screwdriver.  If any sound dull or flat give them a 1/4 or 1/2 turn.  This fixed the slow leak in my rear wheel. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

I have a '13 too.  Make sure the spokes are tight.  Give each a tap with a wrench or screwdriver.  If any sound dull or flat give them a 1/4 or 1/2 turn.  This fixed the slow leak in my rear wheel.

Might I suggest try them all before you tighten any otherwise you may get them uneven, then tighten each one 1/4 turn and try again.
I know nothing about building wheels but I think if you are not careful you may get it out of true.

Hopefully an expert will comment.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Might I suggest try them all before you tighten any otherwise you may get them uneven, then tighten each one 1/4 turn and try again.
I know nothing about building wheels but I think if you are not careful you may get it out of true.

Hopefully an expert will comment.

I'll guarantee you may get it out of true if you're not careful. *I've never built a motorcycle wheel* but I've certainly trued a bunch of bicycle wheels. I had a setup with two dial indicators, one for roundness, and the other for side to side runout on a truing stand. You might be surprised how much uneven spoke tension affects that stuff.

[Lannis]

I've only had one.  I followed Wayne's advice and backed off the nipple and then re-seat the o-ring.  That got me from "many bubbles" to just a couple and equated to about 2psi per week of pressure loss.  On the next tire change Chuck (from another thread here) replaced the tire, replaced the o-ring and put a new retainer; now it I have no more leaks.

Long term test - Checked the Stelvio tires at the end of January.    Checked them again today, and zero measurable difference in pressure.   The o-rings have been there since 2009 (except for 3 which I replaced at a tire change 3 years ago) and are apparently still working well.

The Alpina wheel system with as many potential points of leakage as there are spokes sounds like it might be dodgy, but it works great.   I hear people questioning it for the long term, but I have no fears for it.

Lannis

[sidmonsters]

Glad it's holding for you.  Funny that on the Advrider forum everybody about expects their Alpina wheels to leak eventually, yet most Stelvio owners here have been happy.  I just went with the marine adhesive and tape and all good so far!  And the front has never lost any pressure...
Steve