Sealing rims is a great way to avoid having to pull wheels off and patch tubes. This has been done successfully for a long time. I first heard of it in about 1998 on the Yahoo Triumph Tiger list. A really S. African guy, really good mechanic and tour operator, sealed up the rims on his rental Tigers. Worked out well from what I understand.

Woody's Wheel Works can do it too (for US guys) and I'm sure any good wheel builder can seal up rims properly. I did mine myself. I have not finished the project yet. But will in near future, and will report back!

I have sealed the rims on my DR650 ... can't find the "after" pics..... I will be changing tires soon and will post the pics of what they look like with sealer on there. I did this mostly to avoid rapid air loss.

Most rims will hold the bead solid and do not need a tube to keep them
in place. Could a really hard hit unseat the bead? Regards my DR650, I don't know for sure.

The product I used is called:
3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200

Here is what 3M claim:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Watertight Bonding/Sealing of Fiberglass and Wood.

Ideal for Through-Hull and Deck Fittings and Deck to
Hull Joints.

Flexible

Cures in 7 days

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I totally trust 3M, they make great products. This stuff is not some
ordinary Silicone sealer. It's tough as Hell and adheres to the Aluminum very very well. I tried to peel it off the spoke nipples after it
had cured for a few days (meant to cure a week) I couldn't get it off! Still flexible but sticks in place! This stuff is PERMANENT!

Regards spokes:
Once the sealer is on and fully cured, the spokes should not move, therefore may not ever need adjustment again. (theoretically ) Time will tell. My bike has only done 4000 miles since I sealed them and like I said, I have not finished the job yet and am still running a tube. Spokes all good so far.

I'm still running a tube. I did this initially to slow rapid air loss. At some point I will go tubeless and install a tubeless style valve stem and see how it holds. Other projects in the way at the moment. I have a spare set of wheels to "experiment" on.

Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!