R80GS Rims damaged yesterday!
 

Hello, yesterday on my way to Ulan Ude I ran into a big pothole, my back rim is damaged and I'm loosin air. Some people helped me and took it to a garage, when they "hammered" it so that it is sealed again, but I ask myself if this solution is just temprary or will last? Any of you have some same experience?

And the front tire went then 2 times off, like slip into the middle part of the rim, at 100km/h the first time, very scary... I can't see damage on the front rim, but I'm really concerned now, because I have mongolia and the stans ahead of me...

I will put some pictures today.

It sounds like you are running tubeless, I would suggest putting tubes in carrying on your trip.

Hi! I didn't know you can do this! You just put tubes in tubeless tires?
yes this should be a good solution, need to find tubes though....

No problem at all, I have run my GS with older tube type tyres when they were all I could get and always carry a pair of tubes just in case when touring.

Ok!! But I can simply go to a tube repair shop ans ask to put me 2 tubes inside the rims? Does it work with tubeless tires? Do I need to modify something to the rim?

Thanks for the feedback, I hope to be able to drive the last 800km to ulan bataar and then let me my spare rims shipped from home

Yes, ask any tire shop, they might have suitable tubes.
Yes, tubeless rims will work with tubes inside tubeless tires.
No, no modifications needed, except remove the valve stem from the rim.

Ok thanks for this information, this will help, I will go to see tomorrow in a tyre repair shop if they have tubes!

Here is the picture of my back rim!

Keep the speed down!

A tube in a tubeless tire is -not- good, but works ok at lower speeds.

My local shop was amazed that I managed to get tubeless tires to seal on tube-rims (cast rims) - that's how I learnt about the down-side of tubes inside tubless tires at higher speeds (130-160km something and up; 180 and up is a no no! R80 GS... you'll be happy just to reach 170km/h I guess...).

My personal experiens is since around 1989 with tubes in tubless tires = never had any problems with it; then my bikes top speeds have all been less than 160km/h.

Should you start running for some time at higher speeds... you do risk to get a tire explosion, and that could be a bit too exciting.
Reference:
http://hem.passagen.se/kabomab/

It will help both tyre and tube life if you liberally dust the tube and inside of the tyre with talc ( baby powder) when fitting. Also good practice when fitting tubes to tubed wheels/tyres.

Never occured to me that anyone might not use talc when fitting tires. Good point!
I use talc liberally/generously when fitting any tires (bicycle, bike, wheelcart, etc) - makes future tire/tube change far easier :)

To get the tires to set on the rims I use either, Yes! (Fairy)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_(brand)
or preferably "Grönsåpa" (tried to find a translation/English equvalent but failed; soft soap):
http://www.grumme.nu/stad/produkter.asp
Såpa - Wikipedia
(Content: aqua, potassium tallate, potassium carbonate, sodium sulfate, parfume, color)
I know one should use a special grease, but soft soap is a functional option.

Your rim does not look bad at all on the picture. I have seen rims much more damaged than that. Maybe you can sand a bit the inside flange of the rim to make it smooth. You can put tubes w/o any problem and do thousands of KM, but do not decrease too much the pressure on slippery roads.

If your tubeless tires are leaking, before anything else, I would make sure the beads are seated properly (increase the pressure until you hear the "pop" sound. Sometimes very difficult with a small compressor. Do not hesitate to increase the pressure until your hear it and then, decrease the pressure to the normal one for your bike.

Thanks for the information guys. I went in a shop to get it welded in Ulan-Ude, costed me 200r (5 euro) and then they put a tube inside for 500r), for the front they weren't able to do anything there, didn't had 21' tubes, so I mamage to ride the last 600km to Ulaanbataar, and my girlfriend is joining my for 3 weeks tomorrow.... with my spare 2 wheels :thumbup1:

zimiontheloose.ch | Rock'n'roll Motorcycle Adventure!

In your first pic I can see a hairline crack from spoke to outer edge,I wonder was there more of that crack on the inside surface of rim crossing beyond the tyre rim then allowing air to escape through it? looks like the welding will have sorted that. Those rims are aluminium, was it easy to find someone able to weld that? Nice to hear of someone travelling on an old airhead.

Hi Zimi !
Welding looks nice but rim and spoke will be now much harder and can crack or snap easily. You should took spoke of when do welding.
But spares are coming I assume?
Have a nice ride :scooter::thumbup1:

My girlfriend arrived today to join me... with 2 spare rims and a new set of tires! The bike is ready for some more adventure now!

They repaired my rim in a tire repair shop, welding costed 5 euro!

And yes Sakke, probaly the spot had a to high temperature and is now weaker, but theses old spokes, it's almost impossible to unscrew them you will risk to have some damages... So better live them like this...


I think I'm gonna leave thoses wheels in Ulaanbaatar at the oasis guest house, would anyone need them? The tires are still good for 3000km I think and the back one has a tube inside. The front one should be equiped with a tube for saftey and I would bring it to a repair shop here, to remove the buckle, will be pretty cheap here I think!