Changing tires and tubes

My wheels were cadmium plated on the inside. I would use a rust inhibiting paint on bare metal.
CORDially Mike

RTV over bare metal ?

THANKS !

The spokes are welded so I just put a dab of RTV over each spoke end. The inside of my wheel were prestine, no rust etc. If the inside of the wheels are rusty I would think twice about going tubless unless ALL the rust is removed. I would not try to go tubeless with removable spokes as they move around alot and might not stay sealed. This is just my opinion, no better than some one elses.
CORDially Mike

Mike -
how did you go about sealing the spokes?
And, what prep did you do to the rims (ex rtv over bare metal or ....) ?

Mike - I totally agree.

If you want to eliminate the flaps, sticker problems and talcum powder why not go tubless? I have been using Diamond Back radials tubless for over 25,000 miles with no problems.
CORDially Mike

Make sure you talcum powder (plain no frills J & J) the tubes and also the tire casings (new tubes and casing tend to not have enough talc and tube will not slide). No stickers can be on tubes or inside casings. Using duct tape for flaps is the equivelent of playing with your own death - especially on front wheels - this is not a motorcycle out on the race track for a limited duration and if tube comes into contact with anything sticky it is done for (that being said a 16" drop center Auburn wheel seems to be difficult to find a flap for - which they should not be given the number of 16" Ford drop center wires out on the road). I am told by Lucas Tire that 100% correct (not cheap substitute) film/movie gaffers tape will work for a flap. You can use your old flap over nothing. And, you can mail order 2' wide flaps via some of the motorcycle manufacturers.

My experiance is its not damaging the wheel that is the normal problem it is tire Companies not noing how to mount tubes. They pinch the tube and the tire goes flat shortly. The last wire wheels I had tires mounted on with tubes I took them to a tire Co. that also mount farm equipment tires. They are used to using tubes and I had no problem with pinched tubes or damaged rims.
CORDially Mike

Any good tire shop should be able handle your drop center wire wheels. You should try to find one that handles custom wheels, as they will be able to minimize scratching your wheels. I'd suggest having a wheel with you & talking with some local shops first to find one you are comfortable with. You can schedule a day when they are not too busy and can take a little extra time with your project.

Good luck.

Can any tire store change a tube and tire on a wire rim, or do we need to take them to specialty shops? I have been asking around and have not found a source yet. The rims have weights, so I can see they have been balanced before.

Thanks, Marcus