Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Can I use a 14" rim strip?

My tires, tubes, and front rim strip, came in but the 15"
rim strip is back-ordered. All I could find local was 14"
or 16". I called Libby's in New Haven and was told they had
a box of them. I asked if he was sure 'cause I was coming
from Norwalk(70 mi round trip). When I got there, I was
handed a 14". The guy saw me look at the 14" mark and said
"Yeah, it's 14", that's what we use". So, instead of making
a scene, I gave hime the $3.19, and drove home.

Can I use this?
Uncle Charlie

It's ok with me....

The rim strip protects the tube from any rust or slight spoke protrusions. If the 14" strip is stretched really tight over anything sharp like that, it will get pierced and then rip.

So check it out and see if you're happy with how it fits...

I would imagine you wouldn't want to do this but I have wrapped the center of the rim with a few layers of electrical tape in my poorer days. May be back there if gas keeps going the way it has been. The tape works fine just isn't pretty but who cares , no one can see it.

I ordered a 15"inch one last night.
$11.50 shipping on a $1.75 part

Doesn't that just get ya! I see that on Ebay a lot.99cents for something but then shipping is like $100! I hate that. I doubt that strip actually cost $11.50 to ship. Probably some handling charge in there.

I just got an e-mail that the 15" rim strip is unavailable,
and my money will be refunded. The good news is all my guns
are at mom's house, so my brain will not be on the ceiling.

I'm considering Ian's tape idea,
Uncle Charlie

15" rims can't be that unique! No shop has them at all?!?

Thanks Bill,
Just called Tires Unlimited and the guy said you use a 14 on a 15" rim. So I guess that's what I'll do.

My local tyre guru wrapped the rim in a couple of layers of fabric tape (sometimes called hundred-mile-an-hour tape) before putting the rubber strip on, so the tape protects the tube in case the strip breaks. With that there's no reason you couldn't use a 14" strip - it's not like it's a huge stretch.

Quote:

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a few layers of electrical tape

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In the "old" days we used the above or duct tape and then baby [talcum] powder on the tube for easy install~~~and then along came "rim straps",,,,,,,,,,,,