Possible To Convert 2016 Thruxton Spoked Wheels To Tubeless Tyres?

My experience of tubeless tyres on a conventionally spoked rim wasn't good.

When trials bikes started using tubeless rear tyres (front was, and still is, tubed) to allow low pressures for grip without nipping on rocks, people had no end of leaks.
The rim tape was a specific width to fit into a slot in the rim. You started off by stretching it to narrow the rubber width and slotting it in. The trouble was after 270⁰ or so you ended up with too much rubber circumference left and no real way of losing it. Obviously the valve hole had to line up also and it wasn't possible to spin the tape easily to correct any inevitable errors.
People tried silicone or sikaflex to glue it in place with obviously mixed results and a right mess.
Some time later you could buy rim tapes that had the valve vulcanised into it which alleviated the one issue noted above, but getting the rubber into the base groove/slot still remained a disaster waiting to happen.

Bear in mind these rims were supposedly intended for tubeless by having this slot, but it was a cheap rubbish idea to tick a box by machining these slots into something quite unsuitable.

Later rims were T shaped in section with no spoke holes going into the air chamber so removing the issue altogether. The other option of course is the BMW style spoke holes on the outside edge of the rim.

If tubeless tyres is your preferred way to go, I'd price up the option of changing the rims to some style that is hole less into the air chamber.
Not cheap but done once correctly.

Good luck

 

@Nick Brand
Did this on my Thunderbird almost 3 years ago now. Never had a problem with loosing air. A must is that you check that your original rim is for a tubeless tyre, so the tyre doesn't come off in the event of a flat. I'm replying to this on my phone, when I get back home I'll post some pictures.

 

Front Rim, before and after cleaning.

Rear rim before and after cleaning.

Front rim done.

Rear rim done.

In the almost 3 years that I converted my rims, I have never had any problems with air loss, problems with handling or anything at all. I just like the thought that if I get a puncture, I can now fix it at the side of the road, but also if I do get a puncture, the air won't suddenly leave the trye and the consequences that could come with it. This next statement only applies to my 1995 Thunderbird.
The Akront Rims do have the correct safety humps for our system to work. This was a guy in the central wheel company who actually built my wheels. I was considering getting them to fit their system, but they'd only guarantee it for something like 12 months or so.
Please check before you do this that your rimes DO HAVE the said safety hump.
I'm not recommending you do this, it's entirely up to you.

 

Personally I would never ride a road bike with tubed tyres. Had a 900 Thunderbird back in the 90's and got a puncture which deflated rapidly as I was entering a bend and could have had me off. Tubeless conversion is well worth while in my opinion as long as it's done properly.

 

@Nick Brand Yes i read a couple of years ago about a company that converted the wheels to tubeless. Can't remember them now but perhaps one of the wise ones may remember. But also if they can do it then it's possible.

 

A lot has changed since Eldon's experience. To start spoke nipples are sealed with a marine grade epoxy and not just a strip of tape. See Delboys Garage for details.

 

@Nick Brand

https://www.central-wheel.co.uk/services/tubeless-conversions/airtight-system.html

 

No problem, the chap that I was in contact with was Paul Bowes.
He's the one who built my wheels on my Thunderbird, did a good job too, and they're still like new 30 years later.

 

@timboo had the wheels on his Thruxton R done by Central Wheels last year. Hopefully he will pick this up and give you the full SP.