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Tubeless Rim Feature

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 2:00 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

Over the years, people have asked if they can run Spree, Elite and Metropolitan rims without tubes.
It just so happens I found a shiny-new Met rim on fEeBaY for a $30 discount over the Honda price, and snagged it.
While I had it out, I snapped this:
MetTubelessFlange.jpg
MetTubelessFlange.jpg (126.64 KiB) Viewed 12289 times
Y'see, those little ridges alongside where the tire seats are designed to hold the bead in place in case of deflation.

Without them, if the tire goes flat, the beads will take a walk to the deeper part of the rim near the center, and all sorts of interesting things start happening to the steering. Can you get an Elite or Spree tire to seat and hold air? Probably. My advice is Don't. BTW Met rims in the 2002-2009 vintage, and probably other years, are straight-up bolt-on for Aero, SE, and SA50 scooters.

If anyone has an Elite or Spree rim, snap a pic for comparison.

Re: Tubeless Rim Feature

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 7:44 pm
by Meatball
True dat, Wheelman! While you may get it to hold air, its just not safe. As the wheel spins faster, the force makes the rubber get skinnier on its rim. If you spin the tire fast enough the bead will pop off the shelf (that has no ridge) and will immediately deflate. This happens at an instant with no time to react and typically at high travel speeds.

If its the rear rim that goes, you have a slim chance being able to stop without laying it down and skipping down the road in a fetal position. If its the FRONT rim that goes....kiss yerass goodbye. Too bad you dont get to pick.

Re: Tubeless Rim Feature

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 11:15 am
by dr_rock
Are these the same wheels that the Aero 80 and 125's run? The wheels say Tubeless Tire on them.

Re: Tubeless Rim Feature

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 12:59 pm
by motormike
dr_rock wrote: Tue Sep 04, 2018 11:15 am Are these the same wheels that the Aero 80 and 125's run? The wheels say Tubeless Tire on them.
No, Aero 80 & 125 wheels are two-piece component style wheels with an alloy hub and steel wheel.

Re: Tubeless Rim Feature

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 2:13 pm
by dr_rock
Okay thank you. Was worried about reading your post regarding safety.