Being we are in our annual two weeks of Spring in Houston, I took Scarlet
out for a run this morning. After lunch I went out to take care of a few
minor things in the garage and found Scarlet with a flat tire.
When Scarlet was restored her 72 spoke painted wire wheels were replaced
with a set of Dayton Chrome 72 spoke wire wheels. I have always run them
with tubes. They have rubber inserts inside the rim to keep the spokes from
making holes in the tubes and they have been checked for loose spokes, but
in spite of this I have at least a half dozen flat tires a year. I run
Dunlop SP20 165/15 tires on her and I drive Scarlet about 5K miles per year.
Much of that drving is at 50 - 65 MPH on freeway or interstate.
I have been told that I can run these wheels without tubes if I will use a
silicone sealant at the base of the spokes on the inside of the rim. It is
getting harder and harder in my area to get someone to repair of replace
inner tubes. I have replaced the last two myself. I can think of numerous
other things I would rather do with my time. Has anyone out there converted
a set of wire wheels from being tube to tubeless? Or does anyone have any
ideas on this subject?
I just returned from Pep Boys with a large tube of Permatex Silicone Sealant
(Everything else is held together with Permatex, why not the wheels?).
Steve Bauserman
67 4/4 Series V Competition
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