Anyone running tubes in there cast wheels?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 197
Likes: 92
From: Tehachapi, Ca.
Anyone running tubes in there cast wheels?
My rear tire has a very slow leak. About 10lbs over a week or so. I've checked the tire and there are no issues. I was thinking a bad valve stem or possibly rim corrosion at the bead. I talked to my local Indy and he said the early cast wheels had some minor issues with being just porus enough to cause the situation I am experiencing. Has anyone else here had to add a tube to there cast wheel? Thanks, Todd
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
I had my 1990 FLHS wheels professionally refinished, which cured that problem for me. The whole wheel was repainted, including the well inside the tyre. Otherwise a tube is fine. Replace your rubber valve stem, which is another possible source of a leak, I even had a valve leak once, a yet further possibility.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
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From: NW AR
I remember one time, years ago, when I was hanging out at the Indy. "Dis Guy," somewhat well-to-do (not scooter trash), brought his bike in for a tire change. The wrench, Gypsy, had his cast wheel on the floor. He didn't have the right tubeless valve stem for the wheel. Without asking, and while the guy looked on in horror, he pulls out his huge electric drill with a way too big bit in it and drills out the cast wheel valve stem hole so the tube stem would fit. "There." The look on the guy's face was just priceless. RIP, Gypsy.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I remember one time, years ago, when I was hanging out at the Indy. "Dis Guy," somewhat well-to-do (not scooter trash), brought his bike in for a tire change. The wrench, Gypsy, had his cast wheel on the floor. He didn't have the right tubeless valve stem for the wheel. Without asking, and while the guy looked on in horror, he pulls out his huge electric drill with a way too big bit in it and drills out the cast wheel valve stem hole so the tube stem would fit. "There." The look on the guy's face was just priceless. RIP, Gypsy.
The whole reason I went to cast wheels was to get rid of the tube!!!!
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Just occurred to me I have a bike I've owned for umpteen years. It has cast wheels yet recommends tubes and I always have used them. Particularly on early bikes that had cast wheels, using tubes was common. Early tubeless bike tyres weren't very reliable.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Yes, I've heard of cast wheels leaking before. Had it happen on my track car in the early 1980's.
Instead of a tube ( that weighs more, is outa balance & retains heat from the tire carcass) what we did was remove the tire, spray a sealant on the whole rim surface thus sealing the "hole."
When the tire is inflated, the sealant is forced into the hole/crack/crevass thus sealing the air pathway.
Instead of a tube ( that weighs more, is outa balance & retains heat from the tire carcass) what we did was remove the tire, spray a sealant on the whole rim surface thus sealing the "hole."
When the tire is inflated, the sealant is forced into the hole/crack/crevass thus sealing the air pathway.