I'm forever blowing Bubbles..(oblique MJ reference..)

[Huzo]

I've noticed that the front wheel of the Norge needs 5-6 psi pressure top up every couple of weeks of late.
I had come to utterly rely on the integrity of the spoke nipples with regard to leaking of air and for 2 1/2 years and 100,000 k's they've been fine..
But.
Before stripping the tyre off and fitting a new Pilot 5, I thought to immerse the wheel in water and rotate it to check for bubbles..
OUCH !
2 slightly leaking spokes on the front and a very minor one on the back.
So it's off with the tyres, scrub the nipple heads and apply the super white goop to them and fit the 3m sticky tape to hopefully negate any further tendency to leak.
Point is.
I've read about blokes ruefully scratching their heads trying to decide if and where their spokes are leaking, (or not)..
Put the rim under water and it works just fine.

[yogidozer]

My friend Huzo, you set yourself up with that title 

[RinkRat II]

    Your a sick man Huzo, but I get it

                         



       Paul B

[jacksonracingcomau]

3m tape is the dog’s
on mine wothout o ring nipples passed west ham trick first go
doddle to do just clean it food std

[Guzzistajohn]

Can you blow bubbles??

Yes

Well, he's in town and he's looking for you.

[Paul Brooking]

I'm sure Mrs. Bubbles will appreciate the day off 

[Shorty]

   I guess MJ and bubbles mean different things to different people...   

[Dilliw]

I had one leak and Orwig suggested backing off the nipple and reseating the O-ring until no more bubbles.  That got most of it until the next tire change when I had the offending O-ring replaced.

Someone had posted an industrial equivalent to those tiny O-rings but I was never able to find them.  I just ordered a handful of OEMs from AF1 and all but one are still sitting here waiting for the next leak to occur.

[pat80flh]

Glad I wasn't the only one waiting for a reefer reference.

[Chuck in Indiana]

3m tape is the dog’s
on mine wothout o ring nipples passed west ham trick first go
doddle to do just clean it food std

So, Martin.. tell me about the 3M tape. I've going to make my G5 spoked wheels tubeless..

[Perazzimx14]

So, Martin.. tell me about the 3M tape. I've going to make my G5 spoked wheels tubeless..

Remove tire and tube. Clean the drops center with acetone once, twice, thrice. If extra crusty a light power brushing might be needed prior to the acetone treatment. Install new valve stem and lay in the 3M VHB tape pressing it into the drop center to make a good seal. Drill a small hole through the tape into the valve stem to allow air in/out. Remount tire and inflate.

If you use sticky 2 sided tape you can cover the sticky outer side with electrical tape. If you are worried about the electrical tape coming loose you can add a couple long zip ties (available at any home center for securing flex duct) to keep your mind at ease.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Doing some googling reveals roughly a brazillion 3M VHB tapes. Which one should I get?

[jacksonracingcomau]

j used extreme sealing tape 4412 and 4411
the 1 or 2 at end is thickness  thicker only available too wide for my front so doubled up on thinner
so cfor Chuck orig g5 wheels 4411 both
for op 4412 for both should be good but measure rim first obvoiusly wider is better if it fits
note backing on tape has to be removed before overlapping

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks!

[John Croucher]

Remove tire and tube. Clean the drops center with acetone once, twice, thrice. If extra crusty a light power brushing might be needed prior to the acetone treatment. Install new valve stem and lay in the 3M VHB tape pressing it into the drop center to make a good seal. Drill a small hole through the tape into the valve stem to allow air in/out. Remount tire and inflate.

If you use sticky 2 sided tape you can cover the sticky outer side with electrical tape. If you are worried about the electrical tape coming loose you can add a couple long zip ties (available at any home center for securing flex duct) to keep your mind at ease.

I used the 3M Marine sealant, White.  I washed the rim in soapy water,  blew the spoke nipples dry,  wash a  second time, blew the nipples dry.  Wiped the inside of the rim drop with denatured alcohol.  Put sealant on each nipple and smoothed out with acetone on finger tip, let dry for 48 hours.  Masked off the drop area of the rim that I did not want the sealant and applied second coat and smoothed with acetone on finger tip.  Let dry for 48 hours and then applied a 3 coat and wiped with acetone on finger tip and cleaned up with paper towel after removing the tape.  Use a NAPA tubeless motorcycle rim valve stem. 

I cleaned up the rim where the tire seats with a file, sandpaper and scotch brite pad.  I cleaned all the rubber mold flash of the tire seating area.  Wiped the tire bead with enough grease to make it moist.  Put the tire on the rim without any tools, inflated and installed wheel on the bike.  The Tubeless conversion holds air better than any motorcycle wheel I have ever owned. 

I put the axle through the wheel bearings and mounted one end in a vise so I could rotate the wheel as I applied the 3M sealant.  The acetone helped the flow and smoothing process and the clean up process. 

[John Croucher]

j used extreme sealing tape 4412 and 4411
the 1 or 2 at end is thickness  thicker only available too wide for my front so doubled up on thinner
so cfor Chuck orig g5 wheels 4411 both
for op 4412 for both should be good but measure rim first obvoiusly wider is better if it fits
note backing on tape has to be removed before overlapping

I tried the 3m tape and could not get it to work.  Had the tire on and of a couple of times.  I have tape for sale if you want to try.  Cheap.  The 3m marine sealant worked great. Takes longer and is a multi step process, but I don't have to worry about it coming off and wadding up in the rim at 70 mph.

[Huzo]

All good advice.
Thanks all...