Tubeless Wheel Conversion??

[torgo]

Ok,  I was cruising around on the KLR.net forum and ran into this:

http://www.vtxcafe.com/showthread.php?t=50643&highlight=sealing+rims

Has anyone converted your spoke rims to tubless?

[agspecialties]

not sure if i would do that. It nice that when you have a flat, you can pull over and fix it with a patch or a tube. With this if you blow a tire, you sort of up shit creek maybe. Not sure if a tube would fit in there for you. I guess you can carry one of those plug kits.
I like running tubes. I run tubes in my GS just for that reason. I know that i can fix a tube. A couple of years ago, a buddy of mine went up to Alaska on his BMW. We had this same disussion. Well, he had a flat with tubless tires. Waited on the road for 8 hours for a tow truck. Got back to a tire station, couldn't fix it. Had to wait 3 days for a tire.

[loingrader]

I hate tubes.  Catch a nail on the highway and a tubed tire is flat almost instantly.  Not good.  Tubeless could take a day or more to go flat and a plug takes seconds to put in vs many minutes w special tools and a way to support the bike w one tire to replace a tube.    Tire changes much easier without tubes and no pinch flats w tubeless tires.

But to each his own!   

I have yet to see a foolproof long term fix on the conversion from tubes to tubeless.  Seems like most sealants start leaking before too long.

[Osnabrock]

I've heard of a few people putting this set up on their dual sport bikes, even a one person I've heard of installed it on his bike for the Mexican 1000.  I've heard that even when you get a flat, the tire will be more likely to stay on the rim.  If you ride too long on a flat with a tube, your valve stem goes and then you're in real tough shape. 
On a dual sport bike it sounds like a good idea.

[Bogus Jim]

It might be sacrilegious to put tubeless tires on a KLR. I don't think tubeless tires were even invented when the KLR was introduced. 

[Dratharr]

I have the Tubliss system installed in my 450 KTM that I ride up in the hills all the time. I did have one instance where I couldn't get the tire patched with a string patch last summer. It was over by Nemo, when a sharp rock about 2" long went right through my tire leaving a big gash that was way too big to plug. I carry a spare tube with me for just those kind's of occasions. The big advantage is way less rotational weight so the bike handles much better, and for normal flats a string patch will work just fine. Also in most areas I can run lower pressures, but in the Black Hills with all the sharp rocks I have learned to run at least 13PSI front and back. But it overall is a great system, I have been running them for 2 years now. But I wouldn't recommend it for a pure dual sport set up, I don't think it would be ideal for street usage, plus by the time you put enough weight on the rim to balance the system out the weight savings would be negated.

[Bogus Jim]

I carry a spare tube with me for just those kind's of occasions.

I think that is a good idea, whether you run tubes, tubeless, or Tubliss. I used to just carry a patch kit but last fall I sliced the rear tire pretty bad. Amazingly the tube still held air and I was able to limp home, but, that convinced me that a patch kit is not enough. (if you ride in the rocks)

[greatbuffalo]

There's someone that makes a split tube for just those occasions so you don't have to remove the wheel. Not sure I'd ride forever on one but I think it would get you back. I tried to find a link but failed.
The tube is just like usual but its like they have cut it and sealed the cut ends. Don't remember where I saw this. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[Dratharr]

I carry a spare tube with me for just those kind's of occasions.

I think that is a good idea, whether you run tubes, tubeless, or Tubliss. I used to just carry a patch kit but last fall I sliced the rear tire pretty bad. Amazingly the tube still held air and I was able to limp home, but, that convinced me that a patch kit is not enough. (if you ride in the rocks)

That is for sure, MSR makes a really nice ultrathin tube that takes up very little space in a fanny pack, or fender pack. I have never had a problem riding in other areas with rocks slicing tires, but I had it happen twice in one trip last summer. I spent more time running into Rapid to buy new tires then I did riding that trip. FWIW I really like the Tubliss system it really transforms how my bike handles in the rough, some of the literature says it takes up to 3 lbs. of weight off of the wheel when compared to a HD tube. That weight is rotational weight so it is amplified exponentially, the front of the bike just feels a lot lighter and the bike steers better. Slavens Racing has some good videos on his website explaining the benefits, and the installation instructions. I am just watching the snow fall here in Western Nebraska, I cant wait for spring to get here, I am thinking a trip to Moab will be in order early this spring!